BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE – Soulful songstress joins line-up of global greats at Sandton Convention Centre!
Eswatini’s Queen of Soul, Velemseni Ndzimandze, is set to grace the stage at one of Africa’s most prestigious music festivals—the 26th edition of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, scheduled for 26–28 September 2025 at the Sandton International Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The official announcement was made today ( 29 April 2025) at 11am, confirming that Velemseni will perform on the opening night, 26 September. She joins an electrifying line-up of over 60 global acts across four stages, celebrating the very best in jazz—from international legends to emerging African stars.
Speaking to this publication, an elated Velemseni said: “There have been conversations for a while now, but I got the confirmation a few weeks ago. The official announcement was only made today, and I’m incredibly grateful and excited.”
The soul artist revealed that her booking was the result of a carefully placed application and longstanding relationships between the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, House on Fire (producers of the Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival), and visionary festival producer Mantwa Chinoamadi, CEO of T Musicman.
“It was co-sign through email correspondence by Mantwa Chinoamadi herself. That kind of affirmation means so much to me,” she added.
Velemseni’s journey began in Eswatini, but her sound has long echoed beyond the country’s borders. Her debut album We Are People (2014)—produced by David F (France), Martin Berauer (Austria) and local legend Bholoja—was a rich display of soulful vocals, acoustic warmth, and African rhythm. The album received strong airplay on EBIS 1 and 2, and even led to a United States (US). mini-tour.
Over the years, Velemseni has performed at premier events including MTN Bushfire, FNB Smooth Fest, The Orbit Jazz Club, and even the State Opening of Parliament. Her music fuses jazz, African soul, gospel, and cinematic influences, all anchored in the cultural essence of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
With songs like “Barely”—currently making waves on Trace Africa and MTV Base—Velemseni is carving a global footprint, staying true to her roots while carrying the soulful spirit of Eswatini to the world.
Velemseni’s artistic path is uniquely layered. She started in spoken word and hip-hop circles, notably featuring on two tracks from the Siyinqaba (2011) album with Mozaik and KrTC. Her brief yet impactful hip-hop roots brought a poetic rhythm and cadence to her song writing, often reflected in the lyrical flow of her ballads.
Later, a scholarship led her to study Classical Voice at Methodist University in the U.S., where she performed in both African American and classical choral ensembles.
“It opened my ear to new harmonies and stretched what I could do vocally,” she explained. Fans can look forward to more music soon, with Velemseni confirming a new album titled Kumanti (meaning “It is wet”) set for release in 2026.
Her recent single “Shisa”, a poetic visual journey inspired by love and sacrifice, showcases her continued evolution as a multidimensional artist. And collaborations with artists like Tendaness (on the song Love Me) further reflect her ability to flow effortlessly between genres—from EDM to traditional soul.
“Whether I’m on stage with a guitar or recording in studio, my music is about reflecting the mystique of Eswatini and turning raw emotion into sound,” said Velemseni.
As she prepares to share her voice on one of Africa’s most revered jazz stages, Velemseni remains a beacon of authenticity, representing not just a sound, but a cultural identity deeply rooted in the heart of Eswatini.
