MBABANE – Eswatini-born DJ and producer Bandzile Mkhonta, popularly known as The Bishop, is preparing to turn this Friday’s Rhythm & Groove into a celebration of home, music and connection.
The Bishop headlines the latest edition of the deep house series at 23:28 Lounge on Friday, August 28, where he is promising fans an intimate musical experience featuring unreleased material, familiar favourites and plenty of surprises.
For the DJ, the performance is particularly significant because it brings him back to an audience he knows well.
“What excites me most is the energy and appreciation that Eswatini fans bring to the music,” Mkhonta said.
“People come ready to connect, celebrate and enjoy the experience, and as a DJ, that’s exactly what you hope for.”
Rather than treating the night as simply another booking, The Bishop says he intends to take listeners on a carefully crafted journey through deep house, soulful house and melodic grooves.
“I love music that tells a story, so every set is carefully crafted to take listeners on a journey from the very first track to the last,” he explained.
UNRELEASED MUSIC ON THE WAY
One of the biggest attractions of Friday’s performance will be the opportunity for fans to hear music that has yet to be officially released.
Mkhonta confirmed that he will preview material from his upcoming project, giving the Rhythm & Groove crowd an early taste of what is coming next in his musical journey.
“I’ll be playing a few unreleased gems from my upcoming project,” he revealed. “Fans can expect a deeper musical journey filled with uplifting sounds, emotional moments and dancefloor-moving energy from start to finish.”
Fans can also expect one of his most recognisable collaborations, Ubongo Maffin featuring Cnatra, to make an appearance.
The track has become a familiar moment in his sets, particularly when audiences join in on “Where Are You Now?”
“Ubongo Maffin will definitely make an appearance. Beyond that, I have a few surprises lined up, so people should come ready for something special,” he said.
FROM REGIONAL STAGES TO 23:28
Although The Bishop has performed on major stages across Southern Africa, he believes smaller, intimate venues offer a different kind of connection between an artist and the audience.
“Festivals are incredible because of their scale and atmosphere, but intimate venues are where the real magic happens,” he said.
“You’re much closer to the crowd, you can read their reactions in real time, and every track feels more personal.”
That atmosphere has become a defining feature of Rhythm & Groove, which has built a reputation for bringing established regional house music acts together with some of Eswatini’s leading selectors.
The series previously hosted South African acts such as ZuluMafia, Chymamusique and Dustinho, with each performance helping to establish 23:28 Lounge as a destination for house music enthusiasts.
Dustinho, real name Tshepang Ntsala, was the latest regional name to grace the venue in July 2026, following a career that began with him DJing at the age of 14 and later gaining recognition from house music pioneer Vinny Da Vinci.
The Bishop now joins that growing list of artists.
“It’s an honour,” he said of being part of the platform. “Whenever you’re invited to be part of a platform that has consistently delivered memorable experiences, you don’t take that opportunity lightly.”
A NIGHT FOR ESWATINI’S HOUSE MUSIC CULTURE
Beyond his own performance, Mkhonta sees Friday’s event as another opportunity to showcase the strength of Eswatini’s house music scene.
He believes the country may not have the scale of South Africa’s music industry, but its passionate audience and growing pool of talent give it a distinctive identity.
“South Africa may have a larger industry and broader global reach, but Eswatini has a unique identity and incredibly passionate supporters of the culture,” he said.
Among the artists he believes are contributing to the future of the scene are !Sooks, DJ Cup, Slotta, Virtuosouls, Cnatra, Sibu Manzini, Privacii and Expo.
“The future is definitely bright,” he added.
Friday’s lineup will reflect that local talent, with The Bishop joined by Slotta, Mthizo, DJ Cup, Tibza and Sibu Manzini.
DJ Cup, who is also the founder of New Life Entertainment, continues to drive Rhythm & Groove by creating opportunities for local selectors to share platforms with regional acts.
RHYTHM & GROOVE READY TO DANCE
The night gets underway at 6PM and continues until late, with entry priced at E50 after 8PM. Tickets will be available at the door, while table bookings can be made on +268 7927 0015.
For The Bishop, however, the night is ultimately about creating memories rather than simply filling a dance floor.
“Friday is going to be more than just another party,” he said. “It’s going to be an experience. Expect good music, incredible energy and an opportunity to create unforgettable memories with fellow house music lovers.”
The best is still to come,” he said.
Discussion about this post