MBABANE – Eswatini’s music industry has received another major international boost following the unveiling of celebrated vocalist Velemiseni Ndzimandze and acclaimed DJ Cup as the Kingdom’s official representatives to this year’s MOAFEST – Festival Internacional de Carne Caprina, set for 11 September 2026 in Mozambique.
The announcement was made on Monday during a press conference hosted by NewLife Entertainment at 23:28 Lounge in Mbabane, where organisers also unveiled a landmark partnership between Eswatini and Mozambique aimed at strengthening cultural and creative industry ties.
The prestigious festival will be headlined by legendary American R&B icon Karyn White, whose timeless hit Superwoman helped define the sound of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Her performance is expected to attract thousands of music lovers from across Southern Africa, placing Eswatini’s artists on one of the region’s biggest entertainment stages.
A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NewLife Entertainment and MOAFEST organisers. The agreement is expected to promote cultural exchange, facilitate artist mobility and create more opportunities for musicians from both countries to perform on international platforms while strengthening long-term collaboration between the two entertainment industries.
Representing Eswatini’s live music scene is Velemiseni Ndzimandze, one of the country’s most respected vocalists. Renowned for her soulful voice and commanding stage presence, she has earned acclaim for blending Afro-soul, jazz and traditional Swati musical influences into a distinctive sound that celebrates African heritage.
Her selection comes on the back of an impressive career trajectory, including a standout performance at the internationally acclaimed Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival in Johannesburg last year, where she shared the stage with some of Africa’s finest musicians.
Joining her is DJ Cup, born Zama Welcome Maseko, one of Eswatini’s leading DJs and music producers. Known for his energetic performances and seamless fusion of Afro-house, Afro-tech and commercial dance music, DJ Cup has steadily built a strong reputation both locally and across the region.
His recent performance at Mozambique’s prestigious King of House event further elevated his regional profile, making his inclusion in this year’s MOAFEST a fitting recognition of Eswatini’s growing influence in electronic music.
Together, Velemiseni and DJ Cup will showcase the diversity of Eswatini’s music industry, representing both the country’s rich live performance culture and its thriving dance music scene on an international platform.
Speaking during the announcement, NewLife Entertainment Director Isidoro Pinto described the partnership as a significant milestone for both the company and Eswatini’s creative sector.
“We are truly honoured and grateful to be welcomed into the MOAFEST family. This partnership is a significant milestone for NewLife Entertainment and for Eswatini’s entertainment industry as a whole. It reflects the confidence our regional partners have in the work we continue to do in promoting arts and culture,” said Pinto.
He said the collaboration reinforces his long-held belief that Eswatini is home to exceptional talent capable of competing on the international stage.
“I have always believed in local talent. Our artists deserve opportunities that extend beyond our borders, and today we are proud to see Velemiseni and DJ Cup representing Eswatini at such a prestigious international festival. This is proof that when we invest in our creatives and build meaningful partnerships, incredible opportunities follow,” he said.
Pinto noted that the partnership comes as he continues to receive regional recognition for his contribution to the creative economy. He was recently invited to speak at the Art Summit in Mozambique, where he shared insights on festival development, the creative economy and the importance of collaboration among African creatives.
He expressed optimism that the Memorandum of Understanding marks the beginning of a long-term relationship that will unlock more opportunities for artists, cultural practitioners and the broader creative economy in both Eswatini and Mozambique.
Tickets for Emaswati wishing to attend MOAFEST will be available through Carrot Tickets.
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