Sakhele Mzalazala sits down with Morena Sway, the Lesotho-born storyteller behind SothoYano—Amapiano sung in Sesotho and performed with a live band. A multi-instrumentalist, vocal coach and studio director, Morena grew up in a musical, spiritual home and now blends Afro-Soul, Afrobeat and Amapiano with disarming honesty. After a Metro FM No.1 with DJ Finzo’s “I Swear” and standout sets from Macufe to Maletsunyane Jazz, he’s back with the dance-ready single “Koababa”—and a vision to take Sesotho to global stages.
1. Morena, for those who are just discovering you, who is Morena Sway and how would you describe yourself as an artist?
A: Morena Sway is a creative storyteller from Lesotho who expresses life through music. I’m a versatile artist with roots in Afro-Soul, Afrobeat, and Amapiano, but my sound is always guided by spirit, heart, and originality. I’m known as a songwriter, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist as well as a vocal trainer and studio director. Right now, I’m pioneering a unique sound I call SothoYano Amapiano sung in Sesotho which I perform with a live band to create a fresh, powerful experience for my audience.
2. Can you take us back to the beginning when did you first fall in love with music, and what inspired you to start singing?
A: My love for music started as a child. Growing up, music was everywhere at home, at church it was like breathing. My mother was a musician and could play almost any instrument, and she inspired and taught me. Honestly, I feel like I learned music before I could even speak. Singing became my safe space and my way of expressing myself.
3. Growing up in a musical and spiritual household must have shaped you. How did those early influences impact your sound today?
A: They grounded me. My spiritual upbringing gave me purpose and meaning, while the music around me taught me discipline, emotion, and storytelling. Even when I create modern sounds, there’s always depth, soul, and a message in my music.
4. Who are some of your biggest musical inspirations locally and internationally?
A: Internationally, I look up to Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Chris Brown for their creativity and stage presence. Locally, I’m inspired by the late icon Ntate Tšepo Tšola, Ntate Stunna, and my peers who are breaking boundaries in Lesotho’s music scene.
5. When did you realise that music was more than just a passion that it would become your career?
A: I knew it was more than a hobby the first time I performed and saw how people connected to my music. The crowd’s love and energy showed me that this was my calling. People would sing along like they’d known my songs forever, and that pushed me to keep going.
6. You’ve collaborated with DJ Finzo on “I Swear,” which became a Metro FM number-one hit. How did that collaboration come about, and what did it mean for your career?
A: DJ Finzo heard my work, believed in my voice, and gave me a shot. I knew I had to deliver and when “I Swear” went to number one on Metro FM, it was proof that my sound belongs on major platforms. It was a turning point for my career.
7. Your single Sematsatsa and EP Live, Love Africa resonated with so many people. What message were you hoping to share through those projects?
A: Sematsatsa was about celebrating love and beauty, while Live, Love Africa was about embracing pride, unity, and the joy of being African. I wanted to remind people to love themselves and their culture.
8. You’ve performed on some of the biggest stages like Macufe, Maletsunyane Jazz Festival, and Lesotho Tourism Festival. Which performance stands out as your most memorable and why?
A: Maletsunyane Jazz Festival was unforgettable. Performing with the breathtaking waterfall as my backdrop and feeling the energy from that massive crowd was something I’ll never forget.
9. Congratulations on signing with Afromedia Management! What drew you to join Afromedia, and how has that partnership elevated your career so far?
A: Afromedia understood my vision beyond music they saw Morena Sway as a brand and a voice for the world stage. Being part of a company that is female-owned and home to award-winning artists in a developing country means they know what they’re doing and can nurture my vision. The partnership has already elevated my professionalism and global reach.
10. Afromedia is home to incredible talent like Tehillah Africa and Thuto, who do Gospel music. How does it feel to be part of such a powerful creative family while doing circular music?
A: It feels amazing. Even though my sound is secular, we share the same spirit excellence, purpose, and impact. It truly feels like being part of a family.
11. Let’s talk about your new single — what is Koababa about, and what inspired it?
A: Koababa is about that intense feeling of love where passion becomes overwhelming it’s a mix of love, vulnerability, and rhythm. It also introduces my SothoYano sound to the world, letting people know Sesotho music and talent are here to stay.
12. How does Koababa differ from your previous releases in terms of sound and energy?
A: It’s more upbeat and danceable very Amapiano which is the global sound right now. It’s a bold step for me, but it shows growth and versatility.
