BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE – Half the nation is still Luju Festival hung over and today we bring you things one might have missed during the two-day festival
FASHION
Standard Bank Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival gave emaSwati a chance to shine in the Fashion department.
The lavish festival took place over the weekend but is still on everyone’s radar and algorithm.
From perfectly sewn outfits to insanely beat faces, everyone pulled out the stops for the 2023 Luju Festival.
Naturally, the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival is a family-friendly feast of culinary exploits, high-end fashion and Afro-centric music, celebrating the sophistication and elegance of African heritage.
On the first day, the event kicked off around 4:00 pm when the sun was already setting and only a handful put in the work in terms of their outfits.
However Saturday really saw people coming all out and putting on their best outfit.
Worth noting is that the 2023 edition, with the support of Standard Bank Eswatini, was a uniquely Southern African affair with event partners and participants from Mozambique, South Africa, Lesotho, and Botswana.
Young Standard Bank Artist Award winners from across the region were featured once again, the festival promoting food, fashion, and music.
Celebrating the transformative power of Fashion! The African Fashion Renaissance started with introspection. Craft mastery and sustainable materials became mediums for the reclaiming of ancestral stories.
MANDISI DYTANTIS
Award Winning Mandisi had everyone singing their lungs out. Mandisi Dyantyis and his newly formed Mandisi Dyantyis Jazz Orchestra played beautifully.
From the way they delivered their arrangements which were exquisitely orchestrated, to singing some of Mandisi’s most beautiful songs that were given an extra graceful lift to another level. The team outdid themselves.
For a moment the Xhosa lad had everyone in their feelings when he helped everyone manifest and pray during his performance.
MAINSTAGE
It was set against a breathtaking backdrop of endless cane fields and rolling hills, the Standard Bank Luju Main Stage featured an inspired array of sounds from headlining musical performances from Eswatini, the region and beyond. With two large LED screens on both sides of the stage, festival attendees saw and swayed to the live performances from afar.
MENU
The Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival was a family-friendly feast of culinary exploits, high-end fashion and Afro-centric music, celebrating the sophistication and elegance of African heritage.
MASTERCARD
The Mastercard Stage featured live music performances, culinary showcases as well as the Standard Bank Luju Fashion Runway regional collaboration between Zimbabwean, Swati, Sotho and Mozambican creatives. Boomshaka Stoan Seate also set the stage on fire with his performance.
PREMIUM LOUNGE
This is where the magic happened. A bespoke executive lounge that offered a la carte style menu and wait service. It was generously supported by Malandela’s Restaurant, Malandeli delicatessen, and Cork & Co. wine club, this space did not not only bring an exclusive, wide range of wine and charcuterie pairings but also gave prime views of the stage and a panoramic experience of the festival offerings.
HERITAGE FOOD GARDEN
Festival lovers got a chance to take a sensory voyage through Africa and further exotic lands in this hive of traditional tastes and experiences.
The Heritage Food Garden had a distinct cultural offering that allowed festival goers the opportunity to not only taste nostalgic dishes, but to enjoy unique age-old cooking techniques and food artefacts. This space was supported by Rhodes Food Group.
FASHION CAFÉ
The Fashion Café once again showcased the best of Eswatini Design, Beauty and Fashion, while shining a lens on how African heritage shapes and influences how people express identity through the past, and into the present and future. It provoked everyone to consider what role fashion, design and popular culture play in shaping the collective future. The Fashion Café was courtesy of Dala Spaces.
THE BEER GARDEN
Cheers to that! Now this was a specially curated hive highlighting premium brews and offering a range of beer-infused menu items from Luju Cook-Off Chefs, as well complementary smoked meats and one-of-a-kind sausages prepared by charcuterie extraordinaire Richard Bosman. This space was fully supported by Stella Artois and offered a selection of tastings, food pairings and beer specials.
THE GRAPEVINE
A celebration of all things wine, the Grapevine experience explored some of the top wines from the region, with expert sommelier-led tasting and food pairings. This space also catered for all the bubbly personalities with a range of spumante, MCC, Prosecco and champagne. The Grapevine also houses the exclusive Bruce Jack wine saloon where guests booked and experienced charcuterie and wine pairings as well as winning amazing prizes. Sponsored by Bruce Jack Wines.
COCKTAIL LOUNGE
HAPPY HOUR! Every hour was a happy hour on the sunset deck with a vibrant selection of artisanal cocktails made with indigenous and exotic botanicals. Cushioned between the Mastercard Stage and the main festival stage, this space offered a laid-back vibe complemented by expert mixologists.
Photo cred: http://Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival
