The question of identity is deceptively simple, but for Tiyas, answering it requires tracing a path through what feels like multiple distinct lifetimes. Many citizens will recognise him from his prominent chapter as a leading contemporary R&B singer. “In that chapter, I poured myself into the gift of songwriting, singing, performing and putting together some of the country’s most memorable one-man shows.”
A separate and distinct audience knows him through his subsequent professional transition into the legal sector, where he has practised as a lawyer, legal consultant and legal advisor. Over the past decade he has forged yet another path in the corporate sphere, making a substantial impact on the business landscape of the country as the Co-Founder and Director of Lionheart Properties.
“Each phase of life has demanded something completely different from me, but every single part has built the foundation for who I am today.” The artistic background directly influences how Lionheart Properties presents and markets its portfolio to the public through structured storytelling. Conversely his legal training provides the technical precision necessary to secure and execute prestigious property mandates.
With maturity and institutional experience, his professional focus has naturally shifted towards industry governance. He now holds seats on several influential Boards tasked with structuring local sectors, bridging the creative arts and the property fraternity.
His current leadership roles include serving on the Boards of the Eswatini Arts and Music Association (SWAMA), the Eswatini Copyright & Neighbouring Rights Society (ESWACOS) and the Eswatini Realtors Association (ESWARA).
“Right now, my absolute focus is on my family. As time goes on, you realise that the ultimate foundation block of a fulfilled life is the people you love. Nothing means more to me than the hours I spend with my wife and children, or the deep connections I maintain with my parents, siblings and close inner circle of friends.
Everything else is built on top of that foundation.”
On the professional front, his passion has evolved past just selling property, he is focused on tackling four major structural real estate issues in Eswatini:
Regulating the industry: Working to professionalise and regulate the real estate brokerage industry so that consumers are protected and standards are raised across the Board.
Affordable housing: Actively finding potential partnerships and ways to tackle the affordable housing deficit in Eswatini, ensuring that quality, dignified homes are accessible to more citizens.
Neighbourhood and city building: Participating in deliberate city and neighbourhood building projects that create sustainable, vibrant communities rather than just isolated structures.
Developing our own assets: Transitioning Lionheart Properties into the development space as well. The goal is to design and build our own assets from scratch, directly engineering solutions for the specific, day-to-day market needs and architectural gaps encountered in the everyday.
The journey has not been without significant challenges. His path has included public and private setbacks alongside major personal and professional achievements. He notes that experiencing deep self-doubt is a reality of leadership, but he has consistently found inspiration and support from his wife and his children. His overarching philosophy centres on navigating the inherent difficulties of life with a genuine heart for those in need, accepting failure as a natural component of growth and moving forward collectively without shame.
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