…Take home over E6000 a day
BY DELISA THWALA
MALKERNS – “This was one of the best MTN Bushfire Festivals where we made money, there were so many people”.
This is one of the many sentiments shared by vendors placed outside the MTN Bushfire arena. They mentioned that business was really good yesterday and on the first day.
Thobile Masina who was selling food and beverages said she had to stock up twice on both in a space of three hours, and that has never happened before.
“I think food is expensive inside so people come outside to buy food and drinks then go back inside to have fun. I made a lot of money on the first day and yesterday too,” she said
Another vendor, Cenile Sibandze said she was surprised by the support, she mentioned that her daily takings were E5000 or E8000 a day.
“The money I have made in the last two days is triple the money I make in a week. Business was good and we are thankful to Bushfire for providing us with this opportunity to sell,” she said.
In one voice vendors who sold things like food, clothes, art and airtime mentioned that this festival was like no other.
Meanwhile, The MTN Bushfire Festival of the arts has generated over E500 million in the broader over the last 16 years
Business Eswatini Chief Executive Officer Nathi Dlamini said For 16 years now Eswatini MTN has been the title sponsor for the festival. The Festival now attracts about 30 000 people from over 50 countries, which provides tourism and business opportunities in the country.
“This reflects the company’s strong commitment to supporting the development of business, tourism, arts and culture in the Kingdom,” said Dlamini.
Meanwhile, House on Fire Director Jiggs Thorne said during these 16 years, the festival has grown from strength to strength.
It has become an internationally recognised brand, placing the Kingdom of Eswatini on the map as a cultural tourism destination. For instance, the festival has been dubbed by CNN as one of the 7 African music festivals you really have to see.
