MBABANE – Local Hip Hop artist Ace Julz delivered a memorable performance at the Echoes of the Wild Festival in Kasane, Botswana.
The multi-talented artist was booked for the two-day festival, held from July 18 to 19, 2026, following his selection for the prestigious Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture (AEPC) Entanglement workshops, an initiative powered by the European Union and implemented by the Goethe-Institut.
His journey began in June when he represented Eswatini in Gaborone alongside creators from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to deliberate on regional indigenous heritage and creative entrepreneurship. The week-long project focused on how contemporary artists can preserve local cultural roots while building a sustainable regional creative economy.
Ace Julz carried these critical lessons straight to the scenic Wild View Resort on the edge of the world-famous Chobe National Park. While traditional tourism in Kasane is typically marketed around quiet wildlife viewings for older travellers, the artist brought a vibrant, youthful energy into the safari landscape.
“My music explores ambition, identity and the everyday realities of a young man living in Southern Africa,” Ace Julz stated. “Bringing these contemporary sounds to a safari setting shows that our region offers both breathtaking nature and top-tier modern entertainment. It proves that art can serve as a seamless bridge between neighbouring SADC countries,” he said.
To execute the international tour, Ace Julz extended a call to Eswatini brands and corporate entities to assist with critical logistics, offering a multi-layered marketing package in return. The campaign featured an organic ‘Journey to Echoes of The Wild’ video travel series across social media platforms, mainstream media exposure and live stage representation.
Reflecting on the sponsorship support that made the trip possible, Ace Julz expressed immense gratitude to the key entities that answered the call including Ludziwo Arts Foundation, Let’s Go Africa, Anonymous Benefactor and Umuti from Claiming Ground Records.
“Together, these partners made it possible for Eswatini’s voice to be heard on a growing regional African stage, and I carry their trust with me into every room I walk into,” he said.
Describing the journey as a true cultural exchange, Ace Julz highlighted that the trip exceeded expectations, opening doors for strategic creative alignment with top Botswana talent.
During his stay, he engaged in collaborative sessions with award-winning legendary rapper, radio personality and host of Botswana’s prominent podcast, SCAR, sharing sounds and exploring cross-market entry between the two SADC nations.
The emotional climax of the journey unfolded under the Botswana stars, where Ace Julz performed before an international audience. Despite initial pre-show nerves regarding potential language barriers, the response from the crowd was overwhelming.
“I had a quiet moment of uncertainty before I walked on stage. The language barrier was real, and I genuinely did not know whether people would connect with what I was bringing or simply stay seated,” he said.
“But the moment the music started, something shifted. People rose from their seats and moved closer to the stage.
“The Echoes of the Wild tribe in Kasane gave me a love that I was not expecting. It confirmed what I have always believed that music, when honest, crosses every border. Language is just one way of communicating; energy is universal.”
By connecting his recent academic and entrepreneurship experience under the Goethe-Institute with a high-energy live festival set, Ace Julz demonstrated that Eswatini’s youth possess a world-class creative capability, one that honours traditional roots while shaping a modern regional footprint.
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