Mfundiso “Gejamaqabane” Dlamini, a rising Maskandi artist from Amadiba A/A in Mdatya Location, has officially entered the competition to perform at the inaugural Saba Mbixane Maskandi Festival, and he is calling on the public for support as voting opens.

The Alfred Nzo District Municipality this week announced that members of the public can now vote for their favourite artist to secure a performance slot at the festival, which celebrates the musical legacy of the late Saba Mbixane and honours South Africa’s Maskandi heritage. The simple voting process allows supporters to choose their preferred artist by commenting their name on the official festival announcement post.

Gejamaqabane, who works at Wild Coast Sun (SSG), has steadily built a following through his unique blend of traditional Zulu Maskandi rhythms and modern influences. His music, deeply rooted in culture and community storytelling, reflects the lived experiences of rural and urban audiences alike. The artist says the opportunity to perform at the festival would be a major milestone in his career and a chance to represent Mdatya and the greater Amadiba area on a provincial stage.

Supporters can help Gejamaqabane secure his spot by liking his official entry photo via the link provided and submitting his name in the comment section of the voting post.

The Saba Mbixane Maskandi Festival will take place on 13 December 2025 at KwaBhaca Town Hall (formerly Mount Frere Town Hall), where the artist with the most votes will perform.

Gejamaqabane has encouraged fans, community members and Maskandi lovers across the country to rally behind him as he works to bring his craft to a larger audience.