Spirit Sessions with Carol Sanderson – on RISE fm —
On Sunday, 23 November 2025, at 08h40, Spirit Sessions, hosted by Carol Sanderson, hosted Veli Simelane, Deputy Director of the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS Radio). Together we paid tribute to two of Eswatini’s most influential broadcasters and cultural commentators — Bongani “Sgcokosiyancinca” Dlamini and Jim “Mbhokane” Gama — who co-hosted the celebrated radio programme Khalamdumbadumbane and left an indelible mark on radio, culture and public life in Eswatini.
Bongani “Sgcokosiyancinca” Dlamini
Born 22 June 1956 in Nkhaba, Hhohho District, Bongani Austin Dlamini (nicknamed Sgcokosiyancinca, often shortened to Sgcoko) came from a notable background: a member of the House of Dlamini via the Nkhaba Royal Kraal. Wikipedia+1
Dlamini’s early career was diverse: he worked as a teacher, a freelance journalist for the Times of eSwatini, and as a studio operator for SBIS in the 1980s. Wikipedia
Together with Jim Gama, he co-launched the programme Khalamdumbadumbane at the state radio station. The show took an accessible and culturally rooted approach, discussing everyday problems through the lens of Swazi custom, tradition and language. Wikipedia+1
In September 2011, Dlamini was appointed Chief Executive Officer of what was then Swazi TV (later Eswatini TV), a role he held until his retirement in January 2021. Wikipedia
He died of complications from COVID-19 on 20 August 2021. swazilandnews.co.za+1
Dlamini’s legacy lies not just in broadcasting but in his ability to bridge tradition and modern public media — a voice of familiarity in a rapidly changing society.
Jim “Mbhokane” Gama
Jim Petros Gama, known widely by his nickname Mbhokane, served as governor of the Ludzidzini Royal Village (the official home of the House of Dlamini) from 2001 until his death in 2011. Wikipedia
His broadcasting career began as a journalist for Umbiki, and later he worked as a technician at SBIS. He then co-hosted Khalamdumbadumbane alongside Dlamini, rising to national prominence in the 1980s. Wikipedia
Gama’s role on the programme placed him at a unique cultural intersection: a media figure deeply rooted in Swazi tradition, discussing complex social issues in Siswati, reaching audiences across rural and urban Eswatini. Wikipedia
He died on 13 March 2011 after a prolonged illness. Wikipedia
Gama’s contribution to media was significant: he lent credibility and gravitas to broadcast discussion of social, cultural and ethical issues — and helped establish radio as a space for community voice and connectivity.
The Power of Khalamdumbadumbane
First aired in the 1980s, Khalamdumbadumbane became more than a radio show — it was a social institution. The title roughly means “Problem-solving” in Siswati, and for many listeners the programme offered a mix of cultural guidance, practical advice and communal reflection. Wikipedia
At its core, the show worked because it spoke in the language of Swazi lived experience, weaving tradition, custom and everyday social issues into a conversation that felt both familiar and authoritative. The combination of Gama’s official status and Dlamini’s media acumen gave the show depth and reach.
As radio historian and cultural commentators have noted, the success of the show reflects the enduring role of radio in Eswatini as an accessible platform for public discourse and social cohesion — especially in places where print or internet media are less available.
Why this tribute matters
The passing of these two figures marks the end of a broadcasting era in Eswatini. Their work is a reminder of how media can reflect and shape culture — how voice, language and tradition combine with modern platforms to reach hearts and minds.
In hosting Veli Simelane, Deputy Director at EBIS Radio, Spirit Sessions offers a space to reflect on that legacy: what these broadcasters meant to their audiences; how their work remains relevant today; and how public-service media can continue to honour tradition while speaking to the
