When Love Is the Music: How Tshepo and Swazi Kept Their Marriage in Tune for 20 Years
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Most people struggle to balance work and love. But for jazz and gospel duo Tshepo Mngoma and Swazi Dlamini, music is their love language — and they’ve been singing in harmony for 20 years straight. This year, the couple celebrates not just a marriage milestone but a professional partnership that has stood the test of time, the industry, and everyday life.
It all began in 2005 when the two tied the knot — not just in holy matrimony but in music too. Since then, they’ve shared stages, studios, and even songwriting struggles together. Now, to mark this rare 20-year double celebration of marriage and music, the couple is hosting a one-night concert titled “20 Years of Love & Music” at the Joburg Theatre on Saturday, 19 July.
Even though their official wedding date is 27 August, the concert will take place in July due to venue availability. But for Tshepo and Swazi, the exact date isn’t what matters. “It’s about reflecting on how far we’ve come — together, as lovers and creatives,” Swazi told Daily Sun. “Most couples today don’t get to celebrate something like this — twenty years of love and building together in both our personal and professional lives.”
For those who don’t know, Tshepo is the son of the late iconic singer Sibongile Khumalo, and Swazi comes from a musical family as well. Both have deep roots in jazz and gospel, and their bond through music has been the glue that held their relationship together — even during difficult times.
Swazi admitted that blending marriage and career hasn't always been easy. “Our work is also our life, so it's hard to separate the two. But it reminds us why we started. We are building something bigger than us,” she said. “Music brings challenges, marriage brings challenges, but what helps is knowing we share a common vision.”
That vision includes more than harmony on stage. Tshepo, a respected jazz musician and producer, says their dynamic works because they complement each other. “At home, I handle the production, and she’s great with PR and marketing. We know how to shift gears when it's time to focus on family or business,” he said.
The upcoming concert will be filled with soul-stirring jazz and gospel sounds, and Tshepo will also use the night to pay tribute to his late mother, Sibongile. It’s a full-circle moment — honoring where he comes from while celebrating what he’s built with Swazi.
Their story isn’t just about love songs or stage lights. It’s about how two people chose to work at love the same way they work at music — with discipline, patience, and heart. It’s a powerful reminder that lasting relationships require rhythm, trust, and the courage to stay in sync even when the world goes offbeat.
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#LoveAndMusic #TshepoMngoma #SwaziDlamini #JazzCouples #MzansiMusic #MarriageGoals #JoburgTheatre #DailySouthAfricanPulse
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