For Skye Wanda, the 2026 Metro FM Music Awards landing in Durban was more than just another awards night, it was a homecoming moment for the city, its culture, and its creative economy. Speaking from her hometown, the Durban-born vocalist said the ceremony’s return to the coast offered South Africa a chance to experience the city beyond its beaches.
“People from outside of Durban get to see what Durban is all about,” she said. “In terms of entertainment, accommodation, and just basically what Durban has to offer to people and tourists — more than just a place that has so many talented people.”
A Metro FM Awards Favourite in Her Own Right
Skye Wanda is no stranger to the Metro FM Music Awards stage. The singer, who has already secured two Metro FM awards, reflected on her growing legacy with quiet confidence, reminding audiences that her place in South Africa’s music elite has been hard-earned.
Her wins, including recognition for her work on “Mama” alongside Zakes Bantwini, have helped position her as one of the country’s most respected voices in dance and contemporary African music.
Skye Wanda and Zakes Bantwini’s Afro-Tech Chemistry
The chemistry between Skye Wanda and Zakes Bantwini continues to shape one of South Africa’s most exciting Afro-house collaborations. The duo recently released Echoes of Botanical Gardens, a seven-track collaborative project that dropped in March, with Zakes handling production while Skye took the lead on writing and vocals.
According to Skye, the partnership has become one of creative freedom and musical trust.
“He was producing, and I was writing and singing,” she said. “It came out in March, and it’s been doing very well, if I say so myself.”
She also revealed that their collaboration extends beyond the studio. While Zakes took on musical direction duties for the awards, Skye worked closely with the choir behind the scenes, another sign of how deeply their creative worlds are now intertwined.
Why Afro-Tech Feels Like Home
For Skye Wanda, Afro-tech is no passing phase. After moving through multiple genres over the years, she says dance music has finally given her a sense of belonging.
“I’ve done a lot of genres, but ever since I stepped into dance music, I think I’ve found a home,” she said. “I absolutely love it here.”
She credits South Africa’s producers for helping push Afro-house and Afro-tech onto the global stage, noting that the country has become one of the world’s biggest exporters of the sound. For Skye, being part of that movement is both timely and personal.
More Afro-Tech, More Global Features
Looking ahead, Skye Wanda confirmed that fans can expect a lot more Afro-tech and Afro-house from her in the months ahead. With another project planned for later this year, she says the next chapter of her sound will lean even deeper into rhythm, groove, and international collaborations.
“A whole lot more Afro-tech, Afro-house,” she said. “A project coming later on this year, and just a whole lot of features within South Africa and outside.”
An Explosive Night Ahead
As for the awards themselves, Skye said she was especially excited about the viral moment category, but admitted that what she was really waiting for was the live show. After seeing rehearsals firsthand, she promised audiences a spectacular production.
“I’m actually looking forward to all the performances,” she said. “Having seen the final run — yoh, it’s going to be explosive.”
