A CELEBRATION OF WOMANHOOD IN FULL SOUND

 

By Mrs.M

In the heart of Women’s Month, when the world pauses to honour the strength, beauty, and brilliance of women, Eswatini is preparing to do what it does best celebrate in song.

And not just any song, but a chorus of soul, gospel, jazz, afro-soul, and country led by a commanding line-up of women whose voices carry not just melodies, but movement.

On Saturday, August 31, 2025, the Diva’s Concert returns for its fifth and most plush edition yet a dazzling homage to feminine power wrapped in rhythm.

The venue? The exquisite Olive Country Lodge in Sidvokodvo a place that already sounds like a verse from a love letter to the land.

Set against rolling greenery and sunlit serenity, the lodge will be transformed into a sanctuary of song and sisterhood, where the stage won’t just spotlight women, but elevate them.

From midday until the stars take over the sky, guests will be treated to a meticulously curated spectacle presented by The Sunday Chill-Out and produced by New Life Entertainment, the same minds that have transformed this concert from a simple gig to an annual pilgrimage for lovers of music, meaning, and magic.

This year, according to the Festival Director they are not just putting on a show but curating a cultural moment. A living, breathing ode to women’s excellence across generations and genres.

At the helm of this year’s diva dynasty is none other than Siphokazi Maraqana, the South African jazz luminary whose 2007 anthem ‘Amacala’ still pulses through the veins of the continent.

With her distinctive Xhosa vocal textures and a discography that reads like a soul diary, Siphokazi brings both prestige and power to the festival. Her latest self-titled album has swept nominations across all award platforms.  

Then comes Nothando Hlophe, Eswatini’s own gospel powerhouse a woman whose voice doesn’t just fill rooms, it lifts spirits.

Known for her moving worship performances, Nothando returns to the stage with a presence that is as healing as it is humbling. Whether she’s singing to ten people or ten thousand, her energy stays intimate a quiet storm of faith and fire.

Add Floewe Dladla to the mix and you get a soul summit. Revered for her velvet-toned ballads and generational influence, Floewe is more than a performer she’s an institution.

Velemseni Eswatini’s afro-soul darling, will bring her experimental edge to the concert, bridging folk traditions with fresh grooves.

Her lyricism is both introspective and revolutionary, providing commentary on love, identity, and resilience.

Meanwhile, Cleopatra the country music queen of the kingdom is expected to enchant with her genre-defying catalogue that marries Nashville-style chords with Swazi sensibility.

Her ability to localise global sounds has made her a fan favourite and a genre-bender to watch.

Not to be overlooked, the fierce lyricist Originelle will showcase the edgier side of Eswatini’s scene, while Sarnilo, the Malawian-Eswatini singer-songwriter, brings a blend of SiSwati and Chichewa in her music a true pan-African tapestry of sound.

But the music doesn’t stop there. The concert’s second phase, soon to be revealed, promises an all-female DJ cast, infusing dance beats into the night air and ensuring the energy never dips.

It’s the kind of elevation that promises not just a concert, but a vibe.

The relocation to Olive Country Lodge is not just logistical but strategic, as they wanted to offer more than just music.

According to Mthethwa they wanted an experience, and Olive allows them to do that.

Away from the echo of traffic and into the arms of nature, attendees will sprawl across manicured lawns, sip curated cocktails, and soak in the sounds while the sun dips behind rolling hills. It’s giving barefoot luxury, picnic glamour, and the scent of jasmine on the breeze.

But behind the glittering performances is a deeper mission. The Diva’s Concert has always been about representation.

In an industry that remains tilted towards male dominance from producers to headliners this concert unapologetically gives women the front row, the microphone, and the final say.

It’s also about community. The ripple effect of visibility is immeasurable from boosting the careers of emerging artists to fostering mentorships, collaborations, and lifelong sisterhoods. Year after year, the Diva’s Concert proves that when women take the lead, the results are not just loud they’re legendary.

Set against the backdrop of Women’s Month, the Diva’s Concert feels more significant than ever. It isn’t just a festival it’s a full-circle moment.

A way to honour the women who have sung before us, celebrate those who sing now, and pave the way for those whose voices are still rising.

So whether you come for the music, the movement, or the memories, one things for certain, August 31^st won’t just be a date it will be a declaration.