‘Khulula Ugcobo’ meets ‘New Dawn’

 

 

By Mrs M

For many, the soaring melodies and spirit-filled delivery of ‘Khulula Ugcobo’ are synonymous with the moment Nothando Hlophe's undeniable talent truly ignited on a national scale.

The powerful anthem isn’t just a song; but a declaration, a release that resonated deeply and undeniably set her career on an upward trajectory.

Eleven years have passed since that pivotal moment, years filled with personal milestones that saw her embrace a new chapter, including motherhood and her marriage into royalty. 

 

While this brought immense joy, it also ushered in a period of relative quiet on the music front, leaving a void in the hearts of those touched by her voice.

There were whispers, perhaps a tinge of longing, among her devoted listeners a sense of missing that powerful presence that had once filled their spaces. But now?? the dawn is breaking anew. 

The anticipation is palpable as Nothando prepares to step onto a  live stage once more, ready to share a fresh outpouring with her upcoming live recording, aptly titled ‘New Dawn’

This isn't just a gospel concert; it's a monumental return, a testament to her enduring artistry and a promise of the powerful experiences that await.

On June 7, 2025, the Mavuso Trade Center in Manzini will play host to Nothando’s highly anticipated comeback.

This is no ordinary concert; it is ‘A New Dawn’ the long-awaited live recording by Eswatini’s beloved gospel queen, Nothando Hlophe.

I highly dub this as a resurrection a triumphant return of a voice that once stilled hearts and lifted spirits, now back with greater fire, purpose, and grace.

 

To understand the magnitude of this moment, one must first understand the woman behind the mic. 

Born on November 4, 1989, in Manzini, Eswatini, Nothando Hlophe's journey into music began humbly at the Lobamba Christian Fellowship Church, where her voice first echoed through Sunday school halls.

From those early harmonies, destiny was already tuning her chords. Her breakthrough came in 2008 when she placed seventh out of 400 contestants in the Gospel Challenge.

That moment launched a young woman with remarkable talent into the public eye. From there, she soared. 

She joined the gospel collective Women in Praise, contributing unforgettable performances to their live album recorded in Eswatini.

However the world would truly come to know the full range of her spiritual and artistic power with her solo debut, ‘Impilo Yami’ released in 2016.

It was her 2018 hit single ‘Yebo’ that solidified her as a force in gospel music. A powerful anthem of affirmation and praise.

‘Yebo’ captured the hearts of a nation and beyond, earning her Female Artist of the Year, Best Gospel Artist, and Song of the Year at the 2019 MTN SWAMA Awards. Her voice was not just heard; it was felt.

In 2019, Nothando took a hiatus from the stage, the spotlight, and the rhythms of public life. This was not a retreat; it was a transformation. 

That same year, she became engaged to Prince Majahonkhe Dlamini, His Majesty King Mswati III’s son.

Their union marked a new chapter, not just personally but symbolically. In 2021, she married into the royal family and was bestowed the title Inkhosikati LaHlophe.

 In 2020, she and Prince Majahonkhe welcomed their son, Prince Alakhiwelivelemaswati Dlamini.

 

 

What may have seemed like an intermission in her career was, in truth, a period of spiritual and emotional deepening.

Marriage and motherhood, especially within the royal family, ushered her into a new realm of responsibility, reflection, and redefinition.

 It would have been easy to imagine her remaining in the background, her gospel glory a glowing chapter of the past. But artists like Nothando don’t retire; they evolve.

Now, she is returning as newly empowered woman promising a revival. ‘A New Dawn’ is not just a concert title; it is a prophecy fulfilled.

With doors opening at 5:00 PM and the performance commencing at 6:00 PM, the Mavuso Trade Center is expected to host one of the most significant gospel music events in Eswatini’s history.

Audiences can expect a world-class production, complete with state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and visuals.

There will be international collaborations, and her supporting band will be nothing short of elite. This is worship elevated, music anointed, and a woman reborn.

Her return is a celebration not only of her voice but of her journey from the pews of Sunday school to the pinnacle of gospel acclaim; from award-winning artist to royal consort; from a quiet hiatus to the thunder of the stage once more.

 It is a story of divine timing, where faith and destiny intersect under the sovereign guidance of God.

It is also a moment of deep national pride. Eswatini has long produced spiritual voices of tremendous power, but few have embodied both excellence and humility the way Nothando Hlophe has.

Her life is a living sermon a testimony that one can walk among kings quiet literally in this case and still remain a servant of the Word.

Her voice, rich with the textures of experience and grace, carries the weight of both her roots and her royalty.

The gospel world waits with bated breath for the new music that will emerge from this live recording.

 Rumours of new material and never-before-heard compositions have only added to the fevered excitement.

In many ways, ‘A New Dawn’ is not just about Nothando Hlophe. It is about all of us. It is about renewal after silence, resurgence after stillness, and resurrection after the world has moved on. 

 

Her return is a divine echo to all who have ever paused their dreams for love, for family, or for faith: the pause is not the end. Sometimes, it is the preparation for something even greater.

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