SWAZI BOY GIVES STUDENTS A 20TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

BY NELIWE NGUBANE

EZULWINI — The countdown is on, the stage is being set and the celebrations are getting bigger — but Swazi Boy Entertainment is making sure students are not left outside the party.

As the entertainment brand prepares to mark 20 years in the industry, founder and director Mthunzi “Shadow” Zwane has announced a special offer exclusively for students, giving them an opportunity to join the anniversary celebrations on Friday and Saturday.

Speaking in an interview ahead of the milestone weekend, Shadow said students will need to prove their status when making their purchases.

“There’s a special all weekend for students only. They need to bring their proof of being students. They should carry the student cards when buying. This is eligible for Friday and Saturday,” said Shadow.

The announcement comes as Swazi Boy prepares for a three-day celebration at Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini, bringing together music, nightlife, fashion and some of the names that have shaped the entertainment scene over the years.

The programme begins on Thursday with a dinner before Friday shifts the focus to a Tribute to House Music, featuring a heavyweight line-up including DJ Fresh & The Band, M’du Masilela, Vinny Da Vinci, DJ Christos, Sabz and Greg Maloka.

They will be joined by local and regional DJs including DJ Crooks, Mthizo, Cece, Mafaka, M’ay, Expo, Tibza, Katz, Mistosoul, Troy, The Bishop, Orthodox and Shibz.

Saturday will bring a different energy with a Family Day starting from noon, headlined by Young Stunna and DJ Zinhle.

The Saturday line-up also includes Matamza, Paris, Ncwiki Flex, Lyrikal Busta, Khwephe 13, DJ Wicked, Rekorder, Tilungu, 1D, Knoxman, ItsAllBlaq, Fantacy, Ntombs, Zulu D, Tendaness and Siyinqaba.

The anniversary programme will also extend beyond the main stages.

On Friday, entertainment lovers can get an early taste of the celebrations at a free-entry activation at Albert Millin from 4pm until late, with DJ Crooks, Tibza, Mafaka, Matamza and Cece set to take over the decks.

Fashion will also have its own space through Era by DJ Zinhle, which will host a pop-up store at Happy Valley on Friday and Saturday, allowing guests to shop the brand while attending the celebrations.

For Shadow, however, the 20th anniversary is not simply about looking back at Swazi Boy’s journey.

Speaking during the official launch at Happy Valley Hotel, he said the milestone was intended to celebrate the wider creative industry.

“Swazi Boy’s 20th anniversary is not about us as Swazi Boy, but the entire industry as a whole in the creative space,” said Shadow.

The student special adds another layer to that vision, opening the anniversary experience to a younger audience while giving students access to a weekend packed with established names, emerging talent and different sounds.

For students planning to attend, the message from the organisers is simple: bring your student card or proof of student status when making your purchase.

With house music taking centre stage on Friday, a family-focused Saturday bringing Young Stunna and DJ Zinhle to the spotlight, and fashion adding another attraction through the Era pop-up, Swazi Boy’s 20th anniversary is shaping up as a celebration built around more than one stage.

It is a weekend marking two decades of entertainment, and this time, students have their own invitation to the party.

Also happening: Era by DJ Zinhle will host a pop-up store on Friday and Saturday at Happy Valley.

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