ITS NO wonder it is regarded as one of top seven festivals to attend in Africa.
Yes, fellow Africans we’re talking the 2023 edition of the MTN Bushfire that has just wrapped-up in eSwatini, this past weekend.
This amounted to over 25,000 fans, who represented 50 countries, feasting on 87 different acts from 34 countries – a true reflection of unity in diversity, over three astounding days (26 to 28).
Yes, the King and Treasury should be smiling all the way to the bank- kaachiing!
SA’s favourite son Kabza de Small on Saturday night, Sho Madjozi’s show on Friday night; Black Motion sans Murdor who also appeared as a soloist and my ‘Queen’ Ami Faku, gave the multitude of fans a time of their lives.
France’s Ibeyi, Maleh from Lesotho, and the newly introduced format the CollaboNation did not disappoint, with performances from Thobile Makhoyane (Eswatini) X The Hood Brodz (Mozambique), and Makoomba (Zimbabwe) X Morena Leraba (Lesotho) wowing crowds and creating musical history.
The fest is more than just a music festival, and through its #BringYourFire mandate, the event also ensures the sustainability of the creative sector, especially in the country through the Schools Festival progamme that saw 720 students and teachers take part.
This amazing initiative, supported by the European Union, provides arts education to primary and high school students whilst also using musc and performance to address social issues.
Revellers, street hawkers and all you could think of from chesa-nyama to a cold Isibebe beer, along the busy street of Malkerns that takes you up to the main event, it was pleasing to notice (at the time of reporting) no incidents or crime was reported- thanks to visible policing from one corner to uphill Manzini.
And yes, the areas we visited mostly were clean that made my journey more exciting and jealous at the same time.
Ohh, we also switched off a bit from this irritating loadshedding and potholes for a while…
As for campsites- a popular feature for outdoor adventurers, from young to old, from black to white, legend has it ‘what happens in eSwatini remains in eSwatini’ or kanjani?
So pleasing that the organisers have already pencilled 2024 dates: May 31 to June 2, so be prepared to bring that fire yet again!
Now you know why it’s regarded as one of a must-see festivals in Africa…
Top image supplied (Thousands of fans who gathered at the 2023 MTNBushfire in eSwatini over three-days being serenaded by a musician).
Image supplied (Young, old, black and white having a time of their lives at the fest at Malkerns being immersed by this divine artist).
