The 7th edition of House Musiq Fest (HMF) took place on the last weekend of March at the Manzini Club, attracting an influx of attendees despite forecasts of bad weather and delays in the programme. The strong turnout once again highlighted the festival’s growing influence and the loyalty of house music supporters in Eswatini.
Festival Response, Appreciation and Accountability
In an official statement, festival director Mthunzi Zwane, also known as Shadow, expressed appreciation to attendees for their continued support and loyalty to the brand.
“This festival exists and will continue to do so because of your support and dedicated loyalty,” he stated, acknowledging the role the audience plays in sustaining the event year after year.
He further highlighted the positive spirit shown by attendees before, during, and after the festival, noting that the energy and commitment from the crowd continue to define the HMF experience.
At the same time, Zwane openly acknowledged that the production did not meet the expected standards.
“ We would like to acknowledge that the production this year did not meet the caliber of excellence that defines HMF,” and apologized for falling short of both internal expectations and those of the audience.”
This level of transparency stood out, as he emphasized that the HMF team is taking all feedback seriously, after bittersweet comments on the day and in person started sharing their dissatisfaction with the sound and stage set up that eventually got improved through the night but still wasn’t as it was expected to be. He assured attendees that lessons from this year’s edition will inform improvements in planning, coordination, and overall delivery going forward.
The statement balanced gratitude with accountability, reinforcing trust between the festival and its audience while setting a clear intention to improve future editions.
Standout Performances
The festival delivered several memorable performances from both regional and local artists.
To name a few that made waves; Deejay Cup got the crowd applauding him as a gem they never knew they needed. Rekorder and Fantacy also delivered an unmatched high energy set, similar to the fire performance by seasoned duo, Vasco and DeDang. Obsession, who was voted into by the public, gave a deserving closing AfroTech set, leaving the crowd asking for more. Important to note is the ever impressive play by Dj Smish of the The Bishops, who also sent a daze with his recent collab song, uBongo Muffin, that caught the attention of even the guest performers from neighboring SA.
South African DJ Oskido delivered one of the standout sets of the weekend. Blending classic house sounds with modern elements, he demonstrated his experience and reminded audiences why he is regarded as one of the pioneers of the genre.
Vocalist Russell Zuma created a strong connection with the crowd through a singalong performance that saw many attendees fully engaged and participating.
A tag-team DJ set brought a different level of intensity to the event, featuring Afrohouse mash-ups of popular songs. Their combination of live drum elements and deck work created one of the most energetic moments of the festival.
Spotlight on Expo
Local DJ Thembelihle Nkonyane, known as Expo, stood out as the only female DJ on the lineup. This marked her fourth appearance at House Musiq Fest.
During her set, she previewed her latest single Luna, which is part of an upcoming project.
“It was great. I was lowkey scared to play it if I’m being honest,” she said. “But once I played it, I was glad to see that some of the crowd actually recognized the song and danced even more.”
She also shared the pressure that comes with representing female DJs in the industry.
“It’s intimidating. It feels like it’s my duty to prove that females can be as good as males. If I mess up, it feels like I’m affecting chances for other female DJs.”
Despite this, she described her experience positively, noting that “this is my fourth year and it was so much fun. It gets better every year.”
A Meeting Point for Industry Players
House Musiq Fest 7th Edition also served as a key meeting point for Eswatini’s entertainment and events, a mix of influencers, corporate representatives, media personalities, and emerging creatives. Notably, several local festival directors were also present, including those behind Festivals such as the Makoti Festival, Farmers Market, Momo Experience, and MTN Bushfire. reflects a shared understanding of the importance of collaboration in building a sustainable and competitive entertainment sector.
