BY SIPHOSETHU MABUZA
MANZINI – Eswatini recording artist Ace Julz is set to represent the Kingdom on an international stage after securing a performance slot at the Echoes of the Wild Kasane Weekender, scheduled to take place in Kasane, Botswana, from 18 to 19 July 2026.
The artist confirmed that he has been officially booked to perform on the festival’s main stage, describing the opportunity as another significant milestone in his growing career. “I am not just going there to watch, I am going there to work and to represent my kingdom through my music,” he said.
According to Ace Julz, the opportunity stems from his performance at the EU Bushfire High School Festival on 28 May, which opened doors to a cultural exchange programme organised by the European Union and the Goethe-Institut.
The programme took him to Botswana, where he engaged with some of Southern Africa’s leading creatives and cultural practitioners in discussions centred on indigenous African knowledge, shared cultural heritage and ways of preserving African traditions.
“It started with one stage,” he said. “That same trip led to the people at Echoes of the Wild noticing me and booking me to perform at their festival. It means everything to me because I did not buy my way into this room. I earned it.”
For his performance in Botswana, Ace Julz says audiences can expect an emotional and energetic set inspired by real-life experiences. “My music talks about growing up, chasing your dreams, figuring out who you are as a young man in Southern Africa and ultimately triumph,” he said. “I want people to hear my songs and think, ‘That is exactly how I feel.’”
He added that the performance will also serve as an opportunity to showcase Eswatini’s rich musical talent to new audiences. “We live in a small country, but we have a very big undiscovered sound. I am bringing all of that energy to Kasane.”
Ace Julz believes international festivals are essential for the growth of Eswatini’s creative industry, saying every artist who performs beyond the country’s borders helps create opportunities for those who follow. “We are not just performing for ourselves. We are opening the road for the ones who come after us,” he said.
Looking beyond Botswana, the artist revealed that he will release a new emotional acoustic single titled “Cold” on 10 July, accompanied by a visualiser. He also disclosed that discussions are underway for potential collaborations with artists in Botswana and Uganda.
With his upcoming performance at Echoes of the Wild and new music on the horizon, Ace Julz continues to expand his footprint while carrying Eswatini’s music onto regional stages.
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(Courtesy Pic)
