BY NELIWE NGUBANE
MBOMBELA – Eswatini musician Sancheziey, born Mkhuleko Mangwe, has given fans and industry stakeholders a taste of his highly anticipated album, uMntfwana weLive, during an exclusive listening session held at The Garden in Mbombela, South Africa, on Saturday.
The intimate event, attended by invited guests, media personalities and cultural stakeholders, offered a first listen to the 10-track project ahead of its official release on August 5, 2026.
More than just an album preview, the event also marked the official launch of the Kusile Kwetfu Cultural Celebration, a festival set for September 26, 2026, in Mbombela during Heritage Month. The festival aims to celebrate African culture through music, fashion and cuisine while strengthening cultural ties between Eswatini and South Africa.
Speaking about the collaboration, Sancheziey revealed that the opportunity came after a conversation with Kusile Kwetfu Cultural Celebration Director Thandi Dlamini, whose plans to launch the festival aligned perfectly with his vision of hosting an album listening session in Mbombela.
“Dreaming big is never a problem, especially if your faith and instincts push you to act on the dream. I saw God in this journey,” he said.
The event attracted about 35 guests, including Rise FM Station Manager Makhosi Khoza, representatives from Mpumalanga TV, Ligwalagwala FM, Barberton Community Radio, Lokuhle Radio, Mbombela Arts and Culture International Relations official Olga Mhlongo, as well as Eswatini comedy duo Gogo Eswatini and Slwane, fashion designer Sgonia, and entertainer Slim B.
Hosted by poet ImbongiMate, the programme showcased Eswatini’s rich cultural identity through music and storytelling.
Described as “Eswatini’s culture in music form”, uMntfwana weLive blends traditional Swati sounds with Afro-pop melodies, drawing inspiration from Swati cultural dances. The album combines traditional folk songs with original compositions, creating a sound that celebrates heritage while embracing modern musical influences.
Fans at the listening session welcomed the project with enthusiasm, praising its authentic cultural feel and vibrant production.
Following the event, Sancheziey appeared on Rise FM, where he unpacked the inspiration behind the album and shared details about the upcoming cultural festival with listeners across Mpumalanga.
The celebrations continued with a networking braai hosted by Phakama Festival Director Twain Ngwenya, bringing together artists, festival organisers and creatives from both countries to strengthen cultural partnerships.
Sancheziey is expected to headline the Kusile Kwetfu Cultural Celebration alongside Bholoja, Cy Ndukwemnyama, Mabhodweni and other artists.
The artist has also confirmed that Eswatini fans will have their own uMntfwana weLive listening session on August 5, giving local audiences an opportunity to experience the album before it reaches a wider audience.
#EPNNews #EntertainmentNews #Sancheziey #UMntfwanaWeLive #EswatiniMusic #KusileKwetfu #Culture #AfroPop #Mbombela #SwatiCulture
