The hoorays and celebration is set to cross borders as Ligwalagwala FM brings its 44th Birthday Celebration Tour to Mbabane at Solanis Shisanyama on the 21st of March, marking long-standing social and cultural ties between South Africa and Eswatini.
South African house music heavyweight MÖRDA set to headline alongside a strong lineup of regional DJs and performers and MCs that will keep proceedings alive.
The tour forms part of Ligwalagwala FM’s anniversary festivities as the Mpumalanga-based radio station celebrates more than four decades on air. Broadcasting largely in siSwati and serving communities across Mpumalanga, the station has historically enjoyed a strong listenership in Eswatini due to the shared language, culture and geographic proximity between the two regions.
Cross-Border Cultural Connection
SiSwati is widely spoken across Mpumalanga, particularly in areas such as Nkomazi and surrounding districts, creating a natural cultural bridge with Eswatini. As a result, music, media and entertainment often flow easily between the two communities.
Events such as the Ligwalagwala FM birthday tour highlight how radio continues to play a role in strengthening these shared cultural spaces. For many emaSwati listeners who tune in daily, the station’s presence in Mbabane represents a celebration of that connection.
Media Collaboration Between Broadcasters
The event also follows recent collaboration between broadcasters in the two regions. Last year, the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) and Ligwalagwala FM conducted a presenter exchange programme aimed at strengthening professional ties between the stations.
The initiative allowed presenters from both organisations to spend time working within each other’s studios, gaining insight into programming styles, audience engagement strategies and broadcast production methods.
Such exchanges are seen as an important step toward regional cooperation in broadcasting, allowing media practitioners to share ideas while expanding their reach to broader audiences as well as a widely welcomed fresh air for audiences of both stations.
The Ligwalagwala FM birthday celebration comes as a continuation of growing collaboration between the two broadcasting institutions.
A Line-Up Built for Celebration
At the heart of the tour is a music-filled celebration designed to bring together fans of house music and regional talent. Headlining the event is MÖRDA, the internationally recognised DJ and producer known for his work in the Afro-house scene and his high energy, unique dance moves.
His appearance is expected to draw strong interest from music lovers in Eswatini, where Afro-house continues to enjoy a dedicated following across clubs and festivals.
Supporting the headline act will be a lineup of performers featuring both South African and local talent. Among those scheduled to appear are Fortune Ntekati, Shabbisto, The Prince, T Boy, Lungile Mhango, Buhle Mkhulu, Afro Loco, Sedkins, Mayas, Teqnosoul, Sindiso, President, Tsai Uzzie, Maz0zo, Ntux, Griffin and Chifry.
A Day of Music and Celebration
Organisers say the event will begin at midday and continue late into the evening, transforming Solanis into a lively celebration of music, radio and cross-border cultural exchange.
Tickets are priced at E100 and only sold at the venue.
