SITHOBELWENI – From rapping on “Tune Me” app to national TV, 22-year-old Siboniso Fana Mamba tells a story of doubt, drive, and defiance.
When Fanson walks into the Channel YemaSwati studio on Thursday, 30 April 2026, it won’t just be another interview. For the 22-year-old rapper born Siboniso Fana Mamba, it will mark a full-circle moment, from recording verses on a cracked phone screen to sharing his truth on national television.
Born in 2003 and raised in the quiet community of Sithobelweni, Fanson’s journey into music began far from professional studios and industry spotlights. Alongside childhood friend Mndeni Magagula, he spent afternoons experimenting with lyrics on the “Tune Me” app, a free mobile recording platform that became their first studio.
“We didn’t have a studio. We had a dream and data,” Fanson recalls with a laugh. “We’d record, delete, record again. That app taught me I could make something from nothing.”
His passion deepened at Mabensane High School, where he crossed paths with producer Blaq Spider. More than just teaching him about production, Spider encouraged him to build his identity as an artist.
“He told me, ‘Your name is your brand. Own it,’” Fanson says. From his birth name, Fana, he crafted “Fanson”, meaning “son of Fana,” but also symbolising independence and growth.
School hallways quickly became creative hubs. Lunchtime cyphers replaced playground chatter, and notebooks filled with verses instead of homework reminders. By the time he completed high school, Fanson was no longer just a teenager with a hobby, he was an artist with a message.
That message came through loud and clear on 26 September 2025 when he released “Abafuni Siphumelele” across major digital platforms including Spotify, Deezer, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube. Mixed and mastered by TN$ Savvy of WiseEagle Records, the single became a defining moment in his career.
Translated as “They Don’t Want Us to Succeed,” the track taps into a shared reality for many young Emaswati navigating ambition and resistance.
“This song recognizes something that happens in people’s lives every day,” Fanson explains. “You start winning and suddenly the energy changes. Friends go quiet. Doors close. In life, people don’t love you all. I want people to be ready for that.”
With its gritty production and unapologetic lyrics, the song resonated widely. Fans posted videos rapping along on TikTok, DJs added it to their sets, and audiences in Sithobelweni, Matata and Manzini began chanting the hook word for word during live performances.
“Every time I perform it, people give me love,” he says. “They feel it because they’ve lived it.”
The growing buzz propelled Fanson onto the regional radar, turning “Abafuni Siphumelele” into more than just a song, it became an anthem of resilience.
Now, he is preparing for his next milestone: a live evening interview on Channel YemaSwati on Thursday, 30 April 2026. Producers have confirmed that the segment will include live call-ins, allowing viewers to engage directly with the rising star.
During the interview, Fanson plans to unpack the song line by line, sharing the experiences of doubt, rejection and determination that shaped it.
“This isn’t just about music,” he says. “I want to tell people that rejection is part of the road. Betrayal is part of the road. But so is winning. Be ready for my story.”
He credits TN$ Savvy for polishing the sound of the track, Blaq Spider for mentorship, and Mndeni Magagula, his day-one collaborator, for always being the first to review his lyrics before release.
With momentum building, Fanson has hinted at a forthcoming music video for “Abafuni Siphumelele” and additional singles planned for mid-2026. But for now, his focus is on telling his story, unfiltered and unapologetic.
“If you’ve ever been counted out, if you’ve ever been hated for growing, this interview is for you,” he says. “On the 30th of April, people must be ready.”
Fanson’s live interview airs Thursday, 30 April 2026 on Channel YemaSwati. “Abafuni Siphumelele” is streaming on all major digital platforms.
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