By Nomsa Dlamini (Intern)
PIGG’S PEAK – Sibusiso Mncobie Dlamini, known by his stage name Sbuetjas, is an up-and-coming country music artist from Pigg’s Peak, Phophonyane.
With his captivating baritone voice and storytelling approach to songwriting, he has already made an impression in the music scene with three studio-recorded songs: I’ve Walked All the Roads, Mvelinchanti Ngiyabonga, and Pray Friend (Go Friend).
Sbuetjas grew up in Northern Hhohho, spending his formative years at Phophonyane Primary School and later at Pigg’s Peak Central High School. Reflecting on his upbringing, he shares, “Like most dads in our time, my father had to be away due to work, and so we kids spent most of our childhood with our mom.” This experience greatly influenced his music, particularly his song Mvelinchanti Ngiyabonga, which he dedicated to his mother as a token of gratitude.
His musical foundation can be traced to his father, who played the guitar and sang songs by greats like Don Williams and Isaac Gamedze. At the age of 15, he was inspired by hearing Dusty and Stones on the radio, sparking his passion for performance. A pivotal moment in his career came in 2014, while studying at the University of Eswatini, when he met his hero, Dusty Simelane. “It was fate then, I now know it was God’s grace that led to my meeting with my hero,” he reflects. Dusty mentored him, helping to refine his guitar skills and vocal technique.
Sbuetjas’ musical journey is deeply rooted in the sounds of legendary artists. “It has to be Dusty and Stones. They sure set my ship sailing,” he says, crediting them alongside icons like Don Williams, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson for shaping his musical style. He emphasizes that Dusty and Stones’ story taught him, “Everything is possible. One just has to believe.”
As a songwriter, Sbuetjas draws inspiration from his own life experiences and observations. “I like to think of my songs as a voice, and each one has to speak up for something that I believe in,” he explains. His creative process is often an organic exchange between melody and lyrics, with each song reflecting his thoughts and emotions.
One of Sbuetjas’ most cherished memories is performing at a Country Music Jamboree in March 2015. He also regards the recording of I’ve Walked All the Roads in 2018 as a surreal milestone. “That day in March 2015 will always be special to me,” he recalls. His participation in the Eswatini Country Music Festival and collaborations in 2024, including Mvelinchanti Ngiyabonga and Pray Friend (Go Friend) with Alfred Gama, marked significant breakthroughs in his career.
Collaboration is key to Sbuetjas’ artistic growth. He frequently works with friends like Alfred Gama and Cousinwhy, highlighting the importance of mutual support among artists. Recently, he collaborated with Mitamo Lepoet on a live recital of his poem Kantsi Yin’ Umuntfu, where he provided guitar accompaniment and background vocals.
Despite his successes, Sbuetjas faces challenges, particularly in securing regular performance opportunities and funding for recordings. “Most of my challenges have been in finding places where I can play music regularly,” he admits. To boost his visibility, he has turned to social media, posting cover songs. He also notes the financial challenges of recording country music, saying, “Recording a country song is quite an expensive endeavor.”
Sbuetjas balances his musical aspirations with a professional career. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a focus on Mathematics and Chemistry and is currently a contract teacher in these subjects. Additionally, he engages in small-scale vegetable farming.
Inspired by the journey of Dusty and Stones, Sbuetjas has ambitious goals. “My short-term goal is to get gigs and record my songs,” he says. Long-term, he dreams of performing at major festivals and breaking into the international music scene. “The ultimate goal is to have my songs played on international radio and to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, just like most of my heroes.”
