BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE- Despite going through financial strain- the food, leisure, and entertainment industry is constantly growing.
Over the past year, Eswatini has been introduced to new and exciting places to hangout, eat at or visit and host events.
This proves that players in this industry are refusing to let the aftermath of COVID-19 destroy their dreams. In 2021 and 2022, the entertainment industry was introduced to new events such as Sunday Poetry Sessions, Karaoke Wednesdays at 23:28, We Afro Thursdays at Solani’s Shisanyama, New Life Entertainment Homecoming Crossover party and a lot of other events that the country has witnessed, especially towards the end of the year.
Last year the country was also able to witness the Standard Bank Luju Festival after a year break.
The industry may have been hit hard by the effects of COVID-19, and later the unrest that culminated into the burning of properties but industry players refused to take it lying down. With old and new exciting events to attend throughout the year, emaSwati were also introduced to new places.
These include new eateries, clubs and entertainment hubs. New restaurants that have also taken the country by storm include 268 Jams, The Velvet Monkey, 23:28, to mention a few. These places offer different experiences and emaSwati love them.
The Eswatini Tourism Authority has also taken the time to acknowledge and promote these places by creating competition around these new places where emaSwati are encouraged to visit these places.
This does not only promote domestic tourism, but also allows for emaSwati appreciating their own country. Among the new entertainment hubs that have been also introduced in the country is Polar Park in Mlindazwe. Although it has been there for a while, the place recently started hosting events.
Pigg’s Peak was not left behind as they also received a new entertainment hub promising to be the biggest in the town; Zhumiao Lounge.
This is a Shisanyama and entertainment spot that has already hosted a number of stars around the country. For their opening, they hosted Eswatini’s finest artists.
The opening of these new sports means that local artists will have more venues to play at and new artists will have multiple platforms to showcase their talents.
With all these places buzzing with people each and every day, 2023 promises to be a great year for the food, entertainment and lifestyle industry in Eswatini.
