BY NOXOLO DLAMINI
BUHLENI – For Sanele “King G” Vilakati, the release of “Gijimani Nitsi Nkwe” is more than another addition to his growing catalogue. It represents a dream that became reality when he got the opportunity to perform the song in front of His Majesty King Mswati III during the King’s tour.
The artist, who hails from Herefords eSkom Kajeke under Mayiwane Inkhundla, says the experience of performing the song before His Majesty was one of the most memorable moments of his musical journey.
King G said the song was inspired by the King’s call for Emaswati to act with urgency, purpose and determination. The message resonated so strongly with him that he decided to turn it into music.
“When I heard His Majesty encouraging Emaswati to act immediately and with purpose, it touched me. I felt that those words needed to be carried through music,” King G said.
The moment he eventually performed “Gijimani Nitsi Nkwe” before His Majesty became a powerful confirmation of the journey he had embarked on.
“Performing this song in front of His Majesty was a dream coming to reality. It was a moment I will always carry with me because the song that I created from those words was now being performed before the King himself,” he said.
King G says his musical direction has been heavily influenced by artists such as Mnation and Young Zesh, whose work inspired him to embrace Swati music and use his own creativity to contribute towards the preservation of Eswatini’s culture.
For the young artist, producing music in siSwati is not simply a stylistic choice but part of his contribution to keeping the country’s identity alive.
“Mnation and Young Zesh really influenced me. They made me realise that we can make good music while remaining proudly Swati. I want to produce music that our people can identify with and that can help conserve our culture,”King G said.
He believes young musicians have an important role to play in ensuring that traditional language, values and cultural identity remain relevant to younger generations.
King G also recognises the important role played by Simise Parma Kunene, his producer at Umzaca Records, in helping him bring his musical ideas to life.
The artist says having a producer who understands his vision has been an important part of his development and the quality of his projects.
“I would like to recognise Simise Parma Kunene from Umzaca Records. He has played an important role in helping me put my ideas into sound. I appreciate his contribution to my journey,” he said.
King G’s musical journey has continued to expand beyond “Gijimani Nitsi Nkwe.” In January 2026, he released “Bayoze Bavume Nsingizini,” a song dedicated to Nsingizini Hotspurs. The track was released on January 23 and demonstrated his ability to connect his music with football and community passion.
His growing body of work reflects an artist who is willing to explore different subjects while maintaining his commitment to local identity and storytelling.
King G began his musical journey in 2018, driven by a desire to use music as a means of communication, reflection and storytelling. He describes music as more than entertainment, saying it has become part of his purpose.
“Music has always been more than sound for me. It is a way of communicating, telling our stories and inspiring people,” he said.
As he looks towards the future, King G says he wants to continue producing music that carries meaningful messages while creating opportunities for Swati artists to be heard.
For him, “Gijimani Nitsi Nkwe”bwill remain a defining chapter — a song born from a national message that ultimately gave him the opportunity to stand before the nation’s King and perform his own interpretation of that message.
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