…Do not forget to dress for the cold
BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE– Bring your fire!
Thankfully festivals are going ahead again this year! Learn the essentials for any festival, what you need to think about in advance and while you’re there, in this article.
You are probably looking forward to your first festival which could be MTN BUSHFIRE, but you are also thinking about what to take with you and what is the best way to get everything done.
There is a lot to consider such as the perfect tent, meals and practising good cleanliness and hygiene at the Festival. We have put together a useful festival checklist and the most important tips on preparing for a festival so that it is easy and stress-free.
The 16th edition of MTN Bushfire is literally five days away and energy around the hype of the event is becoming louder and truer.
From which stage to be glued to, stalls to the check out and what to wear, today’s read has all that unpacked read on.
MTN Bushfire is held annually at House on Fire, it is a unique, iconic performance venue in the Malkerns Valley of Eswatini and will take place from May 26 to 28 May 2023.
Globally infused, authentically African and proudly Eswatini, MTN Bushfire is one of Africa’s largest multicultural gatherings, illuminating the transformational power of the arts through our call to action for positive social and environmental change, it is also popular with a the hashtag #BRINGYOURFIRE.
Every year, the event welcomes fire starters from over 60 countries for an energizing and uplifting weekend, with an eclectic programme featuring some of the finest musical and artistic talents from across Africa and around the globe.
A conscious celebration of unity in diversity and an inspiring emblem of social inclusion, MTN Bushfire represent the kind of world everyone would like to see a global community of change-makers, thought leaders, and creative problem solvers who unite in a celebration of the arts and in the spirit of taking action against discrimination, environmental degradation and poverty.
2023 FESTIVAL TIPS
Have your tickets and accommodation booked: MTN Bushfire sells out every year, one would be advised to ensure they have booked their tickets and accommodation in advance.
When this publication caught up with House on Fire Communications Officer Simon Dawson on some of the last minute preparations, he spoke and shared a number of changes that have been added on the list of unforgettable experiences, in this year’s Bushfire.
For one he shared that campsite opening times are opening this Thursday before the festival. Campers can check in from 11 am on May 25.
The check-in desk opening times for 2023 are: Thursday 11 am until midnight, Friday 09:00 until 06:00 and Saturday 06:00 until midnight.
He however warned festival goers to note these arrival times and note that arrivals outside of check-in desk times will need to wait until the gates re-open.
Having made it to this part of the read, you are probably wondering how to get to the festival. Well House on Fire is located between Mahlanya and Malkerns on the MR27 road, off the MR103, about 23 km from the capital city, Mbabane, and a short 14km from Ezulwini.
The main communication operator of this huge festival Simon Dawson says getting to the event should be easy.
“Key in the following GPS coordinates Elevation 756m S 26’ 29.881 E031’ 13.110 to find us, or use the Google Map coordinates: -26.4981694, 31.2147246,16,” says Dawson briefly.
He goes on to assure festival goers of secure parking, which by the way has been made convenient and safer for all.
Simon let’s slip that they will be Introducing secure paid Parking at the MTN Bushfire festival, for E30 per day or E80 for the full festival!
The 2023 parking lot is being revamped with improved security, more controls and improved safety of everyone’s vehicles.
Operating under the #GREENYOURFIRE and carpooling with friends to share the expense, there is also an option to use the Park n’ Ride service offered by the festival to benefit the environment.
HOW PAID PARKING WORKS
One will pay a fee of E30 per day on arrival at the official MTN Bushfire Car Park, Pay E80 for a Full Fest official MTN Bushfire Car Parking Sticker. This will allow them each day (have cash ready or use your NFC wristband once loaded.) Beat the queue and get your parking ticket early. Pay online, https://mtnbushfire.howler.co.za
Another cool thing about MTN Bushfire that Dawson revealed is the Cashless- Pre-Load festival funds.
This means, you have to leave your wallet and forget about lost ‘wallet blues’ MTN Bushfire is a CASHLESS festival, money is loaded onto your festival wristband NFC chip for in-festival purchases.
“Festival Goers can Pre-Load funds onto their tickets via their Howler accounts to avoid the queues at the ATM and Top-Up Stations. Parking Tickets can be paid with the funds on your wristband chip too,” explains Dawson.
WHAT COVID-19?
After revealing last year that vaccinations would not be required for entry, the MTN Bushfire, it was further revealed that there will no longer be any Covid-related barriers to entry at all, not even negative tests. Nor will a requirement to wear masks figure into the picture when millions of selfies go out from the event next week.
Festival Goers were asked to note that as of November 2022, ALL Covid-19 related restrictions and requirements for entry into Eswatini have been removed and Eswatini is fully open to all visitors once again.
However, airlines may have their own Covid-19 requirements, one should be sure to check with their travel agent.
On a more serious note, Dawson emphasises that Bushfire tickets are strictly not for the purpose of resale. He warns people to not purchase tickets from third party sellers, as they cannot guarantee that those tickets are genuine or have not been duplicated.
“In purchasing tickets from third party sellers you are doing so at your own risk, this includes complimentary tickets and traders tickets as well. MTN Bushfire does not create ticket barcodes. MTN Bushfire is not responsible for the duplication of bar codes once they have been dispatched off the system to your email address. If you suspect that your ticket has been tampered with or the bar code might be compromised please contact us immediately at tickets@bush-fire.com prior to the festival,” he says.
MTN Bushfire will not offer refunds on tickets that have been accessed at the gate.
One of the coolest things about the festival this year is the MTN Bushfire Festival App. This year they partnered with Woov, one of the global leaders in the Festival App space, to bring you their 2023 MTN Bushfire Festival App.
This app is the all-in-one event app for our punters. Through this app you will be able to amplify your experience by connecting with others pre-event and get the digital tools you need to streamline your adventure.
WHAT TO PACK
So you have got your ticket, the headliners are confirmed and you are ready to go!
Packing for your favourite festival, however, can be much less exciting. Luckily, we have a full list of anything you might need
Before deciding what your essentials are, there are a few things to think about first, only bring what you need. You will have to carry your stuff in and out of the festival.
Remember to ‘Leave no trace’ do not plan to abandon your equipment at the festival trolleys can help carry more weight but can be awkward to use (especially if the ground is too wet or too dry).
If you are going as a group, plan together, you can minimise what you bring by making sure you do not double up.
Now, here is a checklist of all your festival packing essentials. If you are only camping for one or two nights, you will only need a few of these items.
ESSENTIALS
Do not forget these. These are the absolute essentials to get you into the festival and enjoying yourself.
TICKET
No ticket, no entry. If you attempt to buy a ticket from a tout either online or outside the event, beware, the tickets could be fake or stolen.
CAMPING
MTN BUSHFIRE is big on calling; one of the main parts of the festival is the camping! Whether you love or loathe it, you will need to bring some essentials with you to make your stay a comfortable one.
Tent and camping chair
Make sure you have enough room for you and your things! One person would usually need at least a two -man tent. A porch can be ideal for keeping wellies out of the rain and mud out of your sleeping area.
Bring your camping chair if you are away for a few days, a lightweight camping chair can feel amazing at the end of a long day. Be careful taking them around the site with you, though, chairs in crowds can get dangerous. Closing off, Dawson reminds festival goers that in the Kingdom of Eswatini the days are warm but the nights are cool and sometimes cold, especially now with the winter season trickling in. He pleads with everyone to pack accordingly. Remember your hat, sunblock and mosquito repellent.
