BY NELIWE NGUBANE
EZULWINI – For South African singer Nia Pearl, her first-ever visit to Eswatini was more than just another performance stop — it was a night of music, warm welcomes and a new artistic connection she hopes could turn into a collaboration.
The singer, who headlined the Gin Gardens experience at Sharma House, Ezulwini, on Saturday night, October 3, 2026, said she was pleasantly surprised by the reception she received from both the country and its people.
“I am in Eswatini finally, and you guys will never believe that I have never actually been here. I know it’s crazy, but it’s my first time and I’m loving everything about it,” Nia Pearl said after her performance.
Her visit brought her face-to-face with a crowd that quickly embraced her sound. Performing some of her popular songs, including “Nia Lo” and “Shela,” as well as delivering an iPiano-inspired set, Nia Pearl had the Gin Gardens crowd singing, dancing and responding to every beat.
The energy inside the venue rose as the headliner moved through her set, with the audience singing along to familiar moments and matching her performance with their own energy.
For Nia Pearl, however, the experience was not only about what happened on stage.
She praised the people of Eswatini for their friendliness and said the country had already made a strong impression on her.
“The people are so friendly, the weather is being great and I performed. The crowd has been great to me,” she said.
Her comments came after a performance that saw the singer connect with the audience through her music, while also experiencing Eswatini for the first time.
But perhaps the biggest revelation from her visit was her interest in working with local artists.
Nia Pearl revealed that she is interested in collaborating with artists from Eswatini, singling out local singer Velemseni as an artist she particularly admires.
“I’m obsessed with Velemseni,” she said, before revealing that she intended to make the first move.
“I’m going to shoot my shot and reach out to her,” she added.
The statement immediately opened the door to the possibility of a future musical collaboration between the South African singer and the Eswatini artist.
For an industry where cross-border collaborations can introduce artists to new audiences, Nia Pearl’s interest could potentially create an exciting bridge between the South African and Eswatini music scenes.
Her first visit therefore ended with more than memories of a lively Gin Gardens performance. It left her with a positive impression of the country, a new appreciation for its audience and, potentially, a new artist connection.
With Nia Pearl already planning to reach out to Velemseni, fans may have another reason to watch this space — because her first trip to Eswatini could be the beginning of something much bigger than a one-night performance.
For now, the singer leaves with one clear message: Eswatini has won her over.
“I love you,” Nia Pearl told her Eswatini audience.
And judging by the reception she received, the feeling appeared to be mutual.
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