Jazzworx & Thukuthela rock Mdzimba View Shisanyama
By Siphesihle Dlamini
Mdzimba View Shisanyama transformed into a living, breathing organism of rhythm and celebration on November 21, 2025, as the much-anticipated Ultimate Shutdown event unfolded under the cool summer night sky.
Mdzimba View Shisanyama, usually a serene escape perched below the majestic Mdzimba Mountains, transformed into a pulsating shrine of dance, culture, and pure sonic ecstasy.
What began as an eagerly anticipated concert soon erupted into a full-blown cultural spectacle, drawing in music lovers from across Eswatini and neighbouring countries.
The energy that surged through the venue felt less like a normal performance and more like a festival wrapped inside a volcano, vibrant, explosive, and impossible to ignore.
Long before South Africa’s acclaimed duo Jazzworx and Thukuthela stepped onto the stage, Eswatini’s own army of musical talent had already laid a powerful foundation.
Local artists Obsession, Bongiswa, MaWillies, Sbuda, Castle, Slim Deep, Sade, and MaTenTen each arrived with their own flavour and flair, turning the buildup into an unfolding celebration of Eswatini’s creative heartbeat.
Their performances formed a rich tapestry of sound that moved effortlessly from soulful vocals to heavy basslines, from deep-house grooves to amapiano fireworks.
Every act stepped up with intention, proving once again that Eswatini’s music landscape is layered, thriving, and boldly stepping into regional relevance.
As the night matured, anticipation reached a boiling point.
When the lights dimmed and the opening keys of the 3-step set rolled in, the atmosphere snapped into an electric silence that lasted only a second, before erupting into a wave of excitement that swept across the entire venue.
Jazzworx and Thukuthela emerged with the command of seasoned generals walking onto a familiar battlefield.
The duo wasted no time unleashing a performance that was equal parts technical finesse and pure emotional power.
Their set moved like a well-crafted story. “Bengicela” filled the space with warmth, drawing people closer to the stage as they sang along, while “Isaka” hit with a thunderous blend of percussion and melody that rippled through the crowd like a shockwave.
The transition into “uValo” pulled everyone into a shared moment of joyful nostalgia, and when “Tholukuthi” and “Uzizwa Kanjani” dropped, the venue became a sea of movement.
All around the grounds, groups formed circles, friends lifted each other onto shoulders, and strangers danced together as though they had known each other for years. Even those who tried to resist the rhythm eventually found themselves swaying, nodding, or shouting along with the rest.
Jazzworx, Kamohelo Monese, and Thukuthela, Kgotso Dube, delivered their set with the confidence of artists who understand their own power.
Their fusion of house, kwaito, and Afrobeat has reshaped dance floors across the continent, and at Mdzimba View Shisanyama, that sound reached its fullest expression.
The pulsating beats layered electronic textures, and deeply rooted African rhythms created a sonic landscape that pulled people into a trance-like state.
Their journey from rising producers to continental powerhouses was written all over their performance, reflected in the precision of their mixes, the flow of their transitions, and the energy they injected into every moment.
As the night deepened, the event evolved into something far greater than mere entertainment. The crowd danced not just to escape but to celebrate, to connect, and to embrace a collective moment that felt both historic and powerfully present.
The air at Mdzimba View carried an unspoken understanding that this gathering represented more than a concert, it symbolised the unity of African music, the growing strength of Eswatini’s artistic identity, and the seamless cultural exchange between local and international talent.
It was a reminder that music remains one of the few places where borders fade and common ground forms effortlessly.
When the final beat of the night faded and the lights brightened, the venue remained alive with lingering energy.
Groups stayed behind replaying their favourite moments, vendors served late-night plates to exhausted but fulfilled patrons, and artists exchanged nods of mutual respect backstage.
The entire space seemed to vibrate with the memory of what had just happened, as if the walls, the ground, and even the nearby hills had absorbed the night’s intensity.
Jazzworx and Thukuthela may have headlined the night with their signature 3-step mastery, but the entire event thrived because of the collective energy of everyone present, from the local artists who opened the stage, to the fans who refused to let the night sit quietly.
