MBABANE — When the star-studded nominees for the 2026 METRO FM Music Awards were unveiled at Hyde Park last Thursday, a clear message was sent to the African music industry, that talent knows no borders.
Eswatini-born sensation Zee Nxumalo emerged as the undisputed frontrunner, securing a staggering seven nominations, one of the highest of any artist in the competition. While the METROs are a South African institution, the 2026 edition is being defined by a young woman from Eswatini. For an artist from one nation to not only enter a foreign market but to lead its most prestigious awards ceremony is a rare and monumental feat that signals a shift in regional power.
Zee Nxumalo’s dominance is not just about the numbers, it is about her incredible range. She has bridged the gap between traditional sounds and modern club anthems, appearing in categories that rarely see the same name: Artist of the Year: The biggest award of the night, where she faces off against titans like DJ Maphorisa.
Genre-bending success: Her nods in Best Maskandi (‘Sajola Kamnandi’), Best Kwaito/Gqom and Best Lekompo show she has mastered every corner of the Southern African soundscape.
The full package: Nominations for Best Styled Artist and Best Music Video (‘Mamma’) prove she is a complete ‘360-degree’ visual and vocal powerhouse. The kingdom’s celebrations do not end with the secular charts. Eswatini’s premier) Gospel export, Nothando Hlophe, has also been honoured with a nomination for Best Gospel Album for her latest work, A New Dawn.
In an industry as competitive and saturated as South African Gospel, Hlophe’s inclusion is a testament to her world-class vocal ability. Her nomination ensures that the kingdom’s flag flies high in both the dance clubs and the churches of South Africa. There is a profound irony in the 2026 nominations. While South African infrastructure provides the stage, it is the ‘Eswatini Engine’ that is providing the energy.
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Zee Nxumalo. (Courtesy pics)