SOUTH AFRICAN DJ Oscar Mbo has hinted at an upcoming music collaboration with a local artist after expressing his excitement about returning to the Eswatini Farmers Market.
The DJ said he was happy to be back, having performed in the country on several occasions.
“Performing in Eswatini has been all but great. It’s a different audience altogether. I have been coming to Eswatini for the past six, seven times, and every show is different in its own way,” he said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the lifestyle festival held at Malkerns Country Club on Saturday, Oscar Mbo revealed that he was working on a project with one of the local artists, raising the prospect of a cross-border musical collaboration.
“Music and talent are unlimited. We collaborate with people from everywhere and we are always looking. As a matter of fact, there is something I am doing with someone from here and you guys will know soon,” said the DJ.
Although he did not disclose the identity of the artist or provide further details about the project, he indicated that more information would be revealed in due course.
Oscar Mbo also assured his fans that his appearance at the festival would not be his last, expressing his intention to return to the country.
“Eswatini is one of my favourite countries and definitely I am coming back soon,” he said.
Farmers Market keeps crowd entertained
THE Eswatini Farmers Market 2026 drew a packed crowd to Malkerns Country Club, with local and South African artists keeping music lovers entertained through a programme that largely followed the official performance schedule.
The fifth edition of the lifestyle event brought together music, fashion and entertainment, with festivalgoers filling the venue to enjoy performances by established regional acts and local talent. South African DJ and producer Argento Dust was among the performers who took to the main stage, alongside South African DJs Royal Musiq and Oscar Mbo.
The line-up also featured South African Swati singer Zee Nxumalo and JNR SA, whose appearances attracted attention from festivalgoers.
Local acts also played an important role in the programme, with performers including Dennox, Mafaka, Baba, Obsession, Mandisa, Thaifo Son and Notik, Bandora, DJ Cup B2B Sibu Manzini and Atmos Blaq taking turns on the main stage.
Other performers on the schedule included Rekorder and DJ Tap B2B Thubillion, adding to the range of sounds presented throughout the event.
The programme largely kept to its scheduled running order, allowing the different acts to take their turns before the audience as the event continued into the early hours of yesterday.
The second stage, located indoors, also attracted a sizeable crowd, with revellers gathering to enjoy performances from acts including AyaCity, Maradona, Sgitha, Genes of the Vibe, Zulu D and Drum Rhythm, among others. Despite the heat inside the venue, the crowd remained in place, showing little intention of allowing the uncomfortable conditions to interrupt their enjoyment of the music.
With the venue packed and music running late into the night, the event brought together local music lovers and visitors for a festival experience centred on live performances and social entertainment.
The combination of local performers and South African headliners also gave homegrown acts an opportunity to share the stage with regional names before a large audience.
Country Club. (Pics Khetsiwe Khumalo)
Zee Nxumalo swarmed by fans
AMAPIANO vocalist Zee Nxumalo’s performance at the Eswatini Farmers Market drew an enthusiastic response from fans, whose excitement followed her beyond the stage.
The singer, who headlined the lifestyle event at Malkerns Country Club on Saturday, delivered a performance that attracted a crowd eager for a meet and greet.
Looking stylish for the occasion, Nxumalo appeared to enjoy being back in the country, expressing her happiness at being home while on stage. During her performance, Zee waved the Swati flag at intervals and also passed it to her dancers, incorporating the national symbol into her stage presentation.
Her performance was among the highlights of the event, with her dancers also receiving an enthusiastic response from the crowd. She performed some of her popular hits, including ‘Ama Gear’, ‘Awe Mah’, ‘Ngisakuthanda’ and ‘Mamma’.
However, the excitement surrounding her appearance intensified after her performance when fans rushed towards her as she made her way to her car. Nxumalo attempted to accommodate some of her supporters by posing for photographs, but the growing crowd made it difficult for her to continue engaging with them.
| Stage / Segment | Key Headliners & Performers | Performance Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Main Stage (Regional Acts) | Oscar Mbo, Zee Nxumalo, Argento Dust, Royal Musiq, JNR SA | Oscar Mbo teased an unannounced local collab; Zee Nxumalo waved the national flag on stage while performing ‘Ama Gear’ & ‘Mamma’. |
| Main Stage (Local Acts) | Dennox, Mafaka, Baba, Obsession, Mandisa, Thaifo Son & Notik, Bandora, DJ Cup B2B Sibu Manzini, Atmos Blaq, Rekorder, DJ Tap B2B Thubillion | Diverse soundscapes spanning afro house, deep tech, and commercial dance; ran seamlessly into the early morning hours. |
| Second Stage (Indoor) | AyaCity, Maradona, Sgitha, Genes of the Vibe, Zulu D, Drum Rhythm | High-energy indoor dancefloor packed despite heat; non-stop underground and club sets throughout the night. |
Stage breakdown and performance summary for the 5th edition of the Eswatini Farmers Market at Malkerns Country Club.
