BY NELIWE NGUBANE
MALKERNS – For Zee Nxumalo, taking the stage at the fifth edition of the Eswatini Farmers Market is more than another performance on her calendar; it is a homecoming filled with music, pride and a connection to the country she continues to call home.
The South African music sensation brought that connection to life on Saturday, October 10, as she entertained revellers at Malkerns Country Club with a lively set featuring some of her popular songs, including ‘Mama’, ‘Ngisakuthanda’, ‘Imali’ and ‘Ngiyasindelwa’, before closing with ‘Rato Laka’.
The performance carried a special meaning for the singer, who proudly waved the Eswatini flag and spoke about her love for the Kingdom, reminding the crowd that despite her success across the border, her roots remain close to her heart.
“I love Eswatini. I love being home,” she told the audience, expressing the affection that made her appearance feel like a reunion with familiar faces rather than simply another stop on her performance schedule.
For fans, seeing Zee return to the country offered an opportunity to celebrate not only her music but also her connection to Eswatini. Her appearance added a personal touch to the festival’s fifth anniversary, where music, fashion, arts, food and lifestyle came together under the theme “LOOK LIKE A COWBOY”.
The singer’s set moved between familiar favourites, giving the audience a chance to connect with songs they know and enjoy. Tracks such as ‘Mama’ and ‘Ngisakuthanda’ formed part of the performance, while ‘Imali’ and ‘Ngiyasindelwa’ added to the musical journey before she brought her set to a close with ‘Rato Laka’.
Closing with ‘Rato Laka’ gave the performance its final musical moment, leaving the audience with a song to remember from a night when the artist’s music and her sense of home came together.
Zee’s appearance also highlighted the role of major entertainment events in bringing artists closer to the audiences who support them. For Eswatini fans, her return was an opportunity to welcome a familiar star while celebrating the roots she openly acknowledges.
The fifth edition of Farmers Market continues to position the festival as a meeting point for music lovers, fashion enthusiasts and people looking for a shared lifestyle experience. With its cowboy-inspired dress code and a lineup featuring local and regional performers, the event turns Malkerns into a space where entertainment and self-expression take centre stage.
Yet, for Zee Nxumalo, the most memorable part of the evening may be captured in the simple message she shared with the crowd: home still holds a special place in her heart.
As the final notes of ‘Rato Laka’ marked the end of her set, her performance left more than a musical impression. It celebrated the bond between an artist and the country she continues to embrace as home.
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