BY DELISA THWALA
MALKERNS– The annual MTN Bushfire Festival has become a global phenomenon attracting thousands of visitors each YEAR and international journalists and media houses have shown interest.
Expressing their interest were over 10 journalists affiliated with media houses internationally. This was during a private session of sensitizing media held at Malandelas.
The day-long meeting seeks to help journalists familiarize themselves with the country and the journalists that will be covering the event.
An Editor from Culture Trip said she was currently in the country to investigate what makes MTN Bushfire an event to look out for.
“I flew in yesterday and I wanted to submit my accreditation in hand because I’m very much interested in the event and the country,” said Sally Geller.
Monica Tribiani from Italy who writes for Foreign Pieces said this was going to be her second time covering the event as she last did in 2008.
“I came as soon as I heard about the event, I was last in the country in 2008 and I want to see the newer version of Bushfire,” she said.
Established in 2006 by Swazi-born philanthropist and artist Jiggs Thorne, MTN Bushfire is now a global phenomenon with more than 26 000 people from 60 different countries attending each year.
It is considered to be one of Africa’s seven best festivals. According to Forbes Africa, Thorne, who was born and raised in Eswatini founded a shop selling Swazi arts and crafts, which led to the creation of an eclectic gallery and performance venue, House on Fire.
His vision was to create a space to nurture the local creative industry which led to the creation of the Bushfire Festival in 2006, an event developed not only to promote and celebrate the arts but also to raise money and awareness for local causes.
Worth noting is that Bushfire offers poetry readings, theatre, dance, and circus performances, film screenings, a handicraft market, and visual art displays. Dedicated to promoting social responsibility, the festival donates 100 percent of its profit to local charities to ensure that the festival and the tourists it attracts have a positive effect on the country’s economy and community.
In 2017, Bushfire won the Gold Star for Best Responsible Event at the Africa Responsible Tourism Awards.
This year’s Festival will be taking place on May 2 to 28 and the Firefly will take place on April 28, 2023. House on Fire Communications Officer Simon Dawson announced faces like Stogie T, Ami Faku, and Sho Madjozi as some of the faces to perform at this year’s festival.
He further said the venue itself, the House on Fire, is known for its playful, imaginative design, architecture, colorful mosaics, sculptures, and artworks placed all around.
Dawson said each section of the venue has its charm and is used for different parts of the festival. The Super Stage is set on the lawns; the House on Fire Amphitheatre hosts music, poetry, and dance performances; the Barn Acoustic Stage (a renovated barn) hosts acoustic music, open-mic performances, and talks; the energetic Firefly stage.
“On the outer edges of the festival site, showcases up-and-coming DJs, rappers, and hip-hop artists and comes with its cocktail bar. There is also a Golden Lounge, an exclusive, special ticket-only area where guests can watch performances from raised platforms with comfy seats, heaters, toilets, and a bar serving food and drinks,” he said.
