Swing City was born out of the love of swing music from three of South Africa’s most loved artist’s. A harmless side comment from one musician to another ended up in a serious discussion about producing a three piece singing group, backed by a full jazz orchestra and band, celebrating their love of jazz, swing […]
Swing City was born out of the love of swing music from three of South Africa’s most loved artist’s. A harmless side comment from one musician to another ended up in a serious discussion about producing a three piece singing group, backed by a full jazz orchestra and band, celebrating their love of jazz, swing and blues, but adding a modern day twist to the genre.
Swing City consists of Lonehill Estate’s Nathan Ro, whose love for swing music has always engrossed the pop/rock singer’s iPod, Graeme Watkins, whose background in music and theatre started as a swing singer long before his success on Idols or in his indie rock band “The Graeme Watkins Project”; and Loyiso Bala, whose classically trained background in music saw the singer as part of the TKZee crew, the Bala brothers in classical song and in the pop world in his own successful career.
Modern Day Swing Music, inspired by the likes of the Rat Pack, Michael Buble, Robbie Williams.
The three singers of Swing City, already friends, jokingly commented what fun it would be to start a swing band. It would be tears later, that they took the idea seriously, got into a rehearsal space with their friends from Figure of * productions and Swing City was born!
MEMBERS:
Graeme Watkins
Graeme has always been involved with theatre, drama and music. After completing a degree in Theatre and Performance at UCT, he followed a career in music where he formed a Swing trio called “It’s a Swing Thing”.
Graeme took a chance by entering Idols, and ended up the runner up in the annual talent search. The Graeme Watkins Project” has since gone on to produce “Corridors of the mind” and have had several chart topping hits, 2 SAMA nominations, a YOU Spectacular and MKTV nomination and performed at the prestigious MuseXpo in Hollywood in 2012.
Also a voiceover artist, actor, TV presenter and MC, Graeme was also a Fleur De Cap Nominee for Theatre.
Nathan Ro
Nathan started his musical journey as runner up on the reality TV show “Project Fame”. He was subsequently offered a record deal with BMG with his band Lonehill Estate. Three albums & a SAMA nomination later, the band achieved three #1’s on 5fm and two international performances in Los Angeles and Montreux. Nathan also played the part of ‘Tim’ in day-time drama, IsiDingo for two years. Nathan met Graeme while on tour, and met Loyiso on set at One Gospel.
Loyiso Bala
Loyiso is no stranger to the South African music and television industry. After completing his education at Drakensburg Boys High, and being very involved in the Drakensburg Boys Choir, Loyiso began his professional career as an extension of the TKZee crew.
He since went on to grow his personal career and secured several chart topping hits including the most played song of 2009 – I Want You. Loyiso is also part of the family group, The Bala Brothers, and is an all-round entertainer, MC and present
Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel for Swing City
In order to view the below you must be logged in.
Thabo Limema is a banking professional with local, regional, and international experience spanning over 10 years. Throughout his career, which started and still is in corporate & investment banking (CIB), he’s always sought to build his skills & capabilities to be a world class banker, who provides exceptional service and expertise his clients. He entered […]
Captain Londy Ngcobo is a distinguished figure in the maritime industry, acclaimed as a Global Ship Navigator and Africa’s First Female Dredge Master. Her unwavering passion for unlocking Africa’s oceanic potential has defined her illustrious career spanning over 13 years. With a robust educational background in Maritime Studies and extensive experience in International Merchant shipping, […]
Professor Nick Binedell is the founding director and current professor of the University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and a leadership speaker. He holds a PhD from the University of Washington in Seattle, where he was a Boeing Scholar, an MBA from the University of Cape Town and a Bachelor of Commerce […]
Capturing the essence of the Cape Flats in his impersonations and humour, Marc Lottering – MC Comedian is considered to be one of the hottest comics available. Marc hails from Cape Town with a colourful upbringing which often reflects in his unique brand of comedy. Marc stormed onto the scene in 1997 with his one-man cabaret “AFTER […]
David Grier is more than an adventurer — he’s a force of human resilience, creativity, and compassion. A chef by profession and a humanitarian by passion, David has carved an extraordinary life path defined by endurance, empathy, and purpose. From grueling ultra-distance feats across some of the world’s harshest terrains to nourishing hope through his […]
Ian Russell is currently an independent, freelance business advisor, speaker, and professional non-executive director. With a career steeped in leadership, innovation, and strategic vision, Ian brings a wealth of experience to the forefront of corporate dialogue. His most recent corporate tenure as CEO of BCX, Africa’s largest technology company, underscores his capability to navigate complex […]
Professor Piet Naude regularly speaks at business and civil society conferences and has done consulting work for national and international listed companies on issues of ethics and governance. He holds an MA in Philosophy (cum laude) and a Doctoral degree in Theology from the University of Stellenbosch. He is a Professor of Ethics and former […]
Caitlin De Ville is a Zambian born and fiercely patriotic, Cait has performed across the world for Royalty, Presidents and World Leaders. She has performed in Austria, Germany, Ghana, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malawi, Mauritius, Montenegro, Namibia, Romania, Seychelles, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, UAE (Abu Dhabi & Dubai), USA and Zambia! There is no mistaking […]
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
Our Mission
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel
