Seven Eswatini artists and artist managers left the country today to attend the ACCES Music Conference 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa, with support from Antidote Culture.
The delegation will attend the four-day conference, which runs from October 28 to 31 and brings together artists, managers, promoters, music industry professionals and cultural practitioners from across Africa and beyond.
ACCES, which stands for Music In Africa Conference for Collaborations, Exchange and Showcases, is an annual music industry conference organised by Music In Africa.
The event brings together artists, music managers, promoters, record labels, festival organisers and other industry professionals from across Africa and beyond.
It provides a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, live showcases and discussions on developments in the music business, while creating opportunities for collaboration and connections between different music markets.
Antidote Culture has provided transportation and accommodation for the delegation, creating an opportunity for the representatives to participate in the conference and engage with industry players who could open doors to new collaborations and wider markets.
The initiative follows concerns raised during Antidote Culture’s Vukubone Music Conference in 2022, where members of Eswatini’s music sector identified limited access to international networks and broader markets as some of the challenges facing the country’s creative economy.
Through the ACCES engagement, the organisation is supporting efforts to connect local talent with opportunities beyond Eswatini. The conference is expected to give the delegation access to conversations about the African music business, opportunities to establish professional relationships and potential partnerships with industry stakeholders.
The seven-member delegation comprises artists LethumusaSimelane, professionally known as Lethumusa; Sibusiso Zungu, also known as Sibu Manzini, who is an artist and producer; Velemseni Ndzimandze; Sibusiso Malambe, known as Grixxly; and Nolwethu Mkhatshwa, known as Nelly Noll.
They are joined by artist managers Sibusiso “3T” Simelane of Upscale Live and Ndumiso Dlamini of Mosoul Media. Additionally, Antidote Culture founders Sizo Hlophe, Siphilele Magagula and Mmeli Hlanze are also accompanying the delegation, with Hlophe being scheduled as a guest speaker on one of the conferences panels and local duo Tribal Natives books as performers representing the Kingdom.
The participation of both artists and managers reflects the importance of developing connections across different areas of the music business. While artists can use the conference to introduce their work to new audiences and potential collaborators, managers can engage with professionals involved in artist development, bookings, promotion and other aspects of the industry.
ACCES, which stands for Music In Africa Conference for Collaborations, Exchange and Showcases, is organised by Music In Africa. This year marks the ninth edition of the gathering, which provides a platform for music professionals to exchange knowledge, build networks and discuss developments shaping the African music industry.
The programme brings together industry leaders and practitioners for discussions, networking and showcases, offering participants an opportunity to learn about developments in different music markets and explore ways to work across borders.
For Eswatini’s delegation, attendance provides an opportunity to engage directly with the wider African music industry and explore connections that may support their individual careers and professional work.
The initiative also builds on the conversations held at Vukubone in 2022, translating concerns about market access and industry networks into an opportunity for local artists and managers to engage with a broader professional community.
