MBABANE – South African hitmaker Makhadzi has called Eswatini her new ‘bucket list’ destination after headlining the Embiveni Biggest Braai for the first time, but her claim to have single-handedly pulled over 20 000 people has sparked debate among locals online.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, the Limpopo star reflected on her performance, saying it was not her first visit to the country but it was her first time headlining solo. “This was not my first time going to [Eswatini], but yesterday was my first show in Eswatini headlining alone. I managed to pull plus 20 000 people yesterday,” she wrote.
“Eswatini you owe me nothing, I owe you a one woman show next year. You are now on my bucket list.”Makhadzi went further to claim her continental status: “Allow me to say it today, I am an African super star. I now know I have more than 20 000 people that believe in me in Eswatini.”
She also urged fans to stream her new EP dropping this Friday, 31 July and invited Emaswati to her 24 December show at Peter Mokaba Stadium in South Africa. The post, shared by Mcolisi Innocent Dlamini with the caption “Kantsi bekuyintfo ya sisi le braai??“, drew hundreds of reactions. While many congratulated Makhadzi, a wave of local commenters disputed that she alone was responsible for the turnout. Locals pointed out that the Embiveni Biggest Braai has built a reputation over the years as one of Eswatini’s largest annual gatherings, consistently attracting massive crowds regardless of the lineup.
To them, the 20 000+ attendance was a testament to the braai brand itself, sponsored by local food giant Embiveni, and not just to one headliner. The Embiveni Biggest Braai has become a staple on the Eswatini entertainment calendar, known for bringing together music, food, and culture with thousands of revellers turning up each year. This year’s edition once again filled the venue to capacity, with Makhadzi as one of the headline acts.Despite the online back-and-forth, Makhadzi ended on a grateful note, thanking Emaswati and promising to return with a dedicated one-woman show next year.
