BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBABANE- Veteran broadcaster Wilson B. Nkosi, widely regarded as one of Southern Africa’s most influential radio voices, was honoured for his remarkable 40-year career in broadcasting during the inaugural Tri-Nations Festival, which successfully brought together South Africa, Eswatini, and Mozambique in a vibrant Easter weekend celebration of entertainment and culture.
Nkosi is an Eswatini-born radio legend who spent a significant portion of his formative years in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). While he is widely recognised as a veteran of South African radio—having been a founding presenter at Metro FM since its inception in 1986—his roots and early education are deeply tied to Eswatini. He is a legendary broadcaster, DJ, and television personality, famously known as the “Voice of Sunday” on Metro FM, and is celebrated for his rich, soulful voice and his long-running show Sounds and Stuff Like That, which has made him a cornerstone of South African radio for four decades.
The tribute to Nkosi stood out as one of the defining moments of the festival, held at ChafZar Lifestyle in Kanyamazane, where thousands of revellers gathered over four days to experience a diverse programme featuring comedy, gospel music, Soul & RnB performances, car spinning displays, and an energetic battle of DJs.
Speaking during the tribute segment, Nkosi expressed deep gratitude for the recognition and reflected on his long journey in broadcasting:
“I am truly humbled by this honour. Radio has been my life’s calling for 40 years. It has given me a voice, but more importantly, it has allowed me to connect with people across generations, cultures, and borders. To still be remembered and celebrated in this way is something I will forever cherish.”
The moment drew emotional applause and standing ovations from artists, DJs, and fans who gathered to honour his legacy in shaping the regional radio landscape.
Organisers described the tribute as the emotional centrepiece of the entire festival and one of its most memorable highlights.
Festival organisers said the inaugural edition had exceeded expectations in establishing a new regional entertainment platform that promotes cross-border collaboration and cultural exchange.
Chairman of ChafZar Lifestyle and co-founder of the festival, Vusi Mona, said the event marked an important milestone for regional entertainment.
“It is a very ambitious initiative that brings together the three countries in terms of fun and entertainment. Our post event assessment is that the Tri-Nations Festival successfully stamped its presence as an added lifestyle event on the region’s entertainment calendar,” said Mona.
He added that while some segments delivered stronger results than others, the overall experience was encouraging.
“In all the shows, we gave it our best shot. Some shows were more successful than others but on the whole the weekend was phenomenal. The Tri-Nations Festival is here, and here to stay,” he said.
The Soul & RnB showcase emerged as the standout attraction of the weekend, drawing the largest crowds and strongest audience engagement. Organisers attributed its success to the growing demand for live music experiences and nostalgic sounds across the region.
Eswatini-based DJ and co-founder Tatenda Mandeza said the genre continues to resonate strongly with audiences across Southern Africa.
“The Soul & RnB show was by far the most successful… driven by strong demand for live experiences and nostalgic classic soul in markets like South Africa and Eswatini,” he said.
Just under 5 000 people attended the inaugural Tri-Nations Festival, providing a strong foundation for what organisers believe will grow into a major annual regional event.
The festival will rotate hosting duties between the three countries, with South Africa expected to host again in 2027.
Organisers concluded that the success of the inaugural edition signals the beginning of a strong cultural and entertainment platform for Southern Africa, with Wilson B. Nkosi’s tribute standing out as its defining moment.
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