Eswatini's creative sector has a new platform to support independent artists. Only Make Waves, founded in 2023 by Msimisi Dlamini (Nakiso) and Wandile Mawelela (Nocktik), offers a multidisciplinary approach to connect creative production with digital distribution, commerce, and collaboration. The platform addresses challenges faced by independent creatives in distributing their work, accessing markets, and reaching audiences beyond their immediate communities.
Only Make Waves has three principal divisions: Only Make Waves Music, Only Make Waves Events, and Only Make Waves Merch. The music division allows independent musicians to submit their work for consideration and potential distribution through supported digital music services. This process includes preparing release information, artwork, contributor details, and relevant rights documentation. Nakiso says this structured approach gives artists a pathway to make their music available to listeners beyond Eswatini.
The platform's reach extends to international creative networks, including collaborations with artists connected to Russia. This reflects Only Make Waves' ambition to connect local talent with opportunities beyond national borders. By combining music with technology, commerce, and fashion, the platform seeks to develop better ways to distribute, market, and commercialize creative work.
Only Make Waves Merch connects artistic identity with physical products, including apparel and accessories. The NKS collaboration, involving Nakiso and Indigenous Africana, grew from creating distinctive caps for music performances into a broader product collaboration. The Edenlines brand connects merchandise design with nature and conservation, demonstrating how creative products can communicate ideas beyond their practical use.
The company uses events to bring creatives, entrepreneurs, technologists, and audiences together. The Night Cap combines music and cultural gatherings with opportunities for conversation and connection. Konnekt, a free conference and workshop platform, aims to connect creatives, technology enthusiasts, students, and businesses through practical learning, expert discussions, networking, and product demonstrations.
Konnekt is being developed in collaboration with the American Spaces Network in Eswatini, with plans to reach audiences across three regions. The initiative explores technology, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and opportunities for collaboration. Unlike a conventional music event, Konnekt focuses on knowledge exchange and professional development, creating space for participants to share expertise and explore ways to turn ideas into projects and businesses.
Only Make Waves is supported by partnerships spanning creative development, fashion, audio production, and technology, including Made in Eswatini, Human Mastering, and Proton Sound System. As the platform continues to develop its digital offering and expand its events programme, its ambition is to contribute to a creative sector in which independent artists have more ways to distribute their work, reach audiences, and build sustainable enterprises.
Key points
- Only Make Waves combines music distribution, fashion, and tech workshops to build sustainable creative businesses in Eswatini.
