BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE – Locals will also take centre stage at the Makoti Festival.
The Makoti Festival team has included locals who will perform at the third edition of the festival, which will be held on April 27 at the Malkerns Country Club.
The five local DJs confirmed for the Makoti festival are Tendency, DJ Cup, Wassabee, Jazz in Soul, and Speech Umlangeni. The DJs will also be joined by Indian dancer Miss Abilashini Nageshwararaj. The latest addition to the line-up was confirmed by Festival Director Thembinkosi Mthethwa.
Last week, the Makoti team also revealed renowned South African Singer and Songwriter Nomcebo Zikode, who is also a Grammy Award winner for Best Global Music. Zikode was also revealed as an artist who will perform at the festival in three weeks.
Zikode joins the line-up, which includes Lesotho artists Mavele & Tash, DJ Menkoko,DJ Tseko,and Sotho Kids. Tchakaze and a dance group, Tufo Mafalala, from Mozambique. South African Gospel artists Ntokozo Mbambo, Masibuyele KuJehova, Mthandeni SK, local Afro-singer artists Bholoja, M Nation, Passion Master, Mvelo, Thobile Makhoyane, and Lodanda Nemalangeni.
The Makoti Festival team recently launched the festival and brand in Maputo, Mozambique, Mbombela, as well as Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.
It is worth mentioning that last year, the second edition of the Makoti Festival was held on April 22 at the Malkerns Country Club and was attended by thousands of fun lovers. The festival was made possible by New Life Entertainment, in partnership with the Illa Penboy Foundation.
The purpose of the family-oriented festival is to promote Eswatini culture. It is a celebration of modern women, in particular married or unmarried, and young girls who aspire to be proud makotis in the near future. The festival provides fashion stalls, food stalls, and live performances. The festival is known for celebrating trendy fashion for young and old women from different backgrounds. Last year’s festival was headlined by South African Sjava, who delivered an electrifying performance clad in Zulu regalia, true to the theme of the Makoti Festival. Other South African artists who performed included Maskandi legend Shwi (of Shwi Nomtekhala fame) and gospel artist Hlengiwe Mhlaba. SA vocalists Perddy Nkosi, Floewe, Mvelo, DJ Cup, DJ Master P, and DJ Zoe, among others, The MC for the event was Mzwakhe Tjovitjo Khumalo.
