Sands Serenading Eswatini To The World

One of the best ways to spread a message of love, peace and development is through music. Eswatini’s leading ambassador in that art at the moment is Afro-Soul musician Sands, whose real name is Sandziso Matsebula.

This singer, songwriter with his smooth vocal range and soothing harmonies is a performer of the highest quality. Having studied music, Sands has emerged as a mature and exceptional talent.

In May 2018 he was one of the headline acts at the MTN Bushfire Festival where he sang for over 30 000 locals and tourists.

“I love singing and being able to share my stories through my mother tongue is a great feeling,” he said.

He was part of a duo called Qhibo and Sands, before going solo and releasing Vuma and Tigi, which went on to become songs of the year in Swaziland between 2015 and 2016 respectively. In 2017 he copped four awards in the first evert SWAMA Music Awards including Artist of the Year.

He’s been reaching bigger audiences with the release of his debut love-soaked Afro-soul album, Sands of Time. This Album has already sold Gold and is fast heading to platinum status.

Since the 27-year-old trended on SABC1’s Live Amp with his smash hits Vuma and Tigi in South Africa , he has become the most watched and sought-after talent of the moment. The hugely entertaining, energetic and rhythmic Tigi has become a sing-a-long anthem.

He debuted on the MTV Base Top 20 charts peaking at number one, was on the Metro FM Top 40 for more than two weeks, play-listed on BBC1 Extra and sat on the top 10 iTunes search for two months. And this is only the beginning.

Already a force in Eswatini, Sands is poised to change the landscape across Africa. This is evidently seeing on his booking roster, the artist is clearly on his way to becoming a global Africa Star as he trips to every country on his busy schedule. Sands is a breath of fresh air to the industry and also swells Swazis with pride seeing one of their own doing so well and singing in their language.

The PR graduate from Limkokwing University, a private Malaysian institution in the capital, Mbabane, Sands says his eight-year musical journey, saw him leave his parents’ house to live alone and pursue his dream.

ESWATINI THROUGH SANDS’ EYES

I have been able to carve an international career by being proudly Swazi. My music is an expression of our mother tongue culture and heritage. I love my beautiful Swaziland because our culture has not been spoiled or erode over time. It is still as pure and traditionally rich. I love Eswatini.