ICC opening sets new entertainment standard

THE International Convention Centre (ICC) opened its doors in spectacular fashion on Saturday night, pairing a world-class facility with world-class entertainment in a gala that blended culture and global star power.

The ICC was officially unveiled with a high-profile opening gala that matched its architectural sophistication with equally elite performances, positioning the venue as a new cultural landmark in the region.

At the centre of the night’s celebrations was Nigerian afrobeats superstar Davido, who made his first-ever performance in the country. Delivering a high-octane set lasting close to 30 minutes, the global hitmaker turned the ICC theatre into a pulsating arena, with guests including royalty and heads of State, on their feet throughout his performance.

King Mswati III, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, King Letsie III, former Botswana president Ian Khama, and other distinguished guests witnessed the historic occasion, as the ICC’s world-class infrastructure was matched by an equally world-class entertainment programme.

The evening also featured a powerful local theatrical production, ‘40-Year Throne’, which added cultural depth to the celebrations. One of its lead performers, award-winning local artist Qibho Intalektual, described the moment as transformative.

“To perform on a stage of this calibre, on a night of national significance, is a milestone for all of us in the creative industry,” he said.

The production was widely praised for its storytelling and emotional resonance, reinforcing the ICC’s ambition to serve not only as a conference hub but also as a premier cultural venue.

Public reaction to the night reflected the scale of the occasion:

One attendee remarked, “The building is world-class, and the entertainment matched it perfectly. This is a new standard for Eswatini.”

Another guest said, “Davido brought international energy to a historic national moment: it felt like a global event.”

Temasiko Sibandze added, “Seeing our own production alongside an international superstar showed how far our creative industry has come.”

With its seamless fusion of state-of-the-art design and high-calibre performances, the ICC’s opening gala has set a new benchmark for entertainment and events in Eswatini, signalling a bold new era for the country’s cultural and creative industries.