BY NELIWE NGUBANE
EZULWINI – Dressed to look the part and armed with a catalogue that had the Gin Gardens crowd singing and dancing, South African singer Sino Msolo turned his first visit to Eswatini into a celebration of music, culture and connection.
The singer was one of the headliners at Gin Gardens, held at Sharma House, Ezulwini, on Saturday night, where he delivered a lively set that included “Jola”, “Wamuhle” and his widely played track “Wo_Lo”.
What made his appearance stand out, however, was not only his music but the thought behind his outfit.
For his first trip to Eswatini, Sino chose to embrace the country’s cultural identity, explaining that he wanted the audience to immediately see someone who could relate to them.
“It’s my first time coming to Eswatini, so I was like, why not wear something that they will relate to? When they see me, they see a Swati person,” Sino said after his performance.
The singer went a step further, saying his outfit was also inspired by his desire to embody the image of Ingwenyama, meaning King.
“I was like, why not be a Swati man today and also try looking like Ingwenyama?” he said.
The fashion choice resonated with the spirit of the evening, as Sino appeared in full Swati-inspired traditional attire, creating a striking cultural moment before he even took the stage.
But once the microphone was in his hands, it was the music that took centre stage.
Sino opened up the energy with his soulful sound, moving through songs that kept the crowd engaged. His performance of “Jola” sparked a sing-along moment, with the audience joining him as he delivered the track.
He followed it with “Wamuhle”, maintaining the intimate connection between performer and crowd while allowing his soulful vocals to take over the venue.
The biggest eruption came when Sino performed “Wo_Lo”, his widely played song that has gained significant traction on TikTok.
The song’s popular dance challenge was already familiar to many in the crowd, turning the performance into more than just a concert moment. As soon as the track came on, partygoers responded with the dance moves associated with the song, creating a wave of movement across the venue.
The reaction showed the growing power of TikTok in connecting artists with audiences beyond their home markets.
For Sino, the reception was exactly the kind of energy he had hoped to experience.
“I’m back again at Eswatini for the Gin Garden. It’s been so nice. I love the energy here. The people here are always loving. I love the energy. It’s very calm,” he said.
Beyond the performance, Sino revealed that his connection with Eswatini could potentially extend into the studio.
The singer said he would be open to collaborating with artists from the country, noting that he already appreciates music coming out of Eswatini.
“Of course, of course, of course. I do see myself collaborating with Swazi artists. I would love to. There’s music that I love from Swaziland,” he said.
His comments could open the door to exciting cross-border musical collaborations, particularly at a time when African artists are increasingly using music, social media and live performances to build audiences across borders.
For Sino, however, the night was also about experiencing the people and culture of a country he was visiting for the first time.
His decision to dress in a way that reflected Swati culture, his attempts to speak Siswati with friends and his openness to working with local artists all pointed to an artist eager to connect beyond the stage.
And if the reception at Gin Gardens was anything to go by, Sino Msolo may not be a stranger to Eswatini for long.
His first visit brought the music.
His Swati-inspired look brought the culture.
And the crowd brought the energy.
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