Simmy casts her spell in a soulful night
Johannes Kambai | Tuesday May 26, 2026 10:07
Rather than delivering a high octane spectacle, she created something more profound, a shared, almost spiritual experience that blended Afro-house rhythms with deep personal storytelling. Simmy, born Simphiwe Majobe Nhlangulela and widely known as the Tugela Fairy, brought her distinctive sound across the border to Thapong.
Her music weaves together warm neo soul, traditional Zulu elements, and contemporary house grooves. The choice of Thapong as the venue was perfect.
Its artistic, relaxed atmosphere encouraged a closeness between the performer and audience that larger stages often lack. Fans gathered in the intimate space, many clearly familiar with her catalogue, singing along with quiet intensity from the very first notes.
Simmy’s velvety yet powerful voice carried the night. She moved effortlessly between emotional ballads and upbeat tracks, creating waves of feeling throughout the performance.
A particularly moving rendition of “Ngiyesaba” left the crowd in reflective silence before they erupted in appreciation.
Songs like “Ubala” and “We Were Here” highlighted her vocal range and emotional honesty, while the infectious house grooves had everyone swaying and dancing freely under the open sky.
Between songs, she spoke gently to the audience, expressing gratitude for Batswana’s support and sharing brief insights into her creative journey. Simmy graciously said, “I love you Batswana. I am truly thankful for all of you because you are genuinely supporting my music,” she said. The performance resonated strongly with those in attendance. One enthusiastic fan, Kagiso Komane, remarked, “Simmy’s voice is not just singing, it feels like she’s healing something inside you. I have never experienced a show this intimate in Gaborone”, he said.
Nearby, another attendee, Lerato, added, “The energy at Thapong tonight was special. When she sang ‘We Were Here,’ I got goosebumps. You could feel the connection between her and every single person there.”
By the time Simmy concluded her set, a warm afterglow lingered over the crowd. People stood talking excitedly, reluctant to leave the magical atmosphere she had created.
In an industry often dominated by spectacle, Simmy proved that authenticity, emotional depth, and a beautiful voice are still more than enough to captivate an audience completely.
The night at Thapong also featured a strong supporting lineup that set the perfect tone for Simmy’s headline set. Local DJs and artists warmed up the crowd earlier in the evening, including Botswana’s own DJ Vibes, who delivered smooth Amapiano and Afro-house mixes that had the venue buzzing from the start.
DJ Bunny kept the energy high with infectious house and upbeat sets, getting everyone on their feet. Another standout was rising artist, Kaelo, who performed a short but energetic set blending contemporary R&B with traditional Botswana rhythms, earning loud cheers from the audience.
These opening acts created a seamless flow of sounds, building anticipation and showcasing the vibrant local talent alongside Simmy’s powerful performance.