BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
PIGG’S PEAK – The overwhelming response to Festive Music Treat has presented a challenge for the organisers of the show: to postpone Saturday’s show to next year.
The show was scheduled for this weekend, but because of the huge response of interest in attending the show, the organisers opted to move the show to next year, April, at a date later to be confirmed.
The show was supposed to be held at Pigg’s Peak Hotel on Saturday until the next day. South African Uzalo actor Masoja Msiza( aka Nkunzi) was among the invited guests of the day. Expected for the line-up were SA gospel artists Putuma Tiso, Bholoja, Mxo, Young Zesh Sibu Manzini, Zweli Gule, Soul Ngwane, DJ MBO Hlengiwe Sindane, and Nothando Dlamini.
Afro-pop singer Bholoja Ngubane, who is one of the main organisers of the show, shared with this publication that the reason for postponing the show was because the venue proved to be too small, as they had only anticipated around 250 guests. “We had gone all out to market the show in and around Piggs Peak, Nkomazi, and surrounding areas. The response was huge; hence, we felt the venue was now too small. It is also too late to move the event to another place because of time, given that it’s also the festive season and we also have the national Incwala taking place at Ebuhleni as well.”
Ngubane added, “We decided to shift the show to April, still at the same venue, but now it will be an outdoor event to cater for a huge crowd. Also, we decided in April, just before the Easter holidays,” shared the artist.
Ngubane went on to share with this publication that next year’s show will see more additions of other artists to the lineup. “Tickets will be available for next year’s show in February. We will also use this time to enhance our security personnel for the show, as we will have more time to plan,” shared Ngubane.
The show will be organised by Bholoja Arts Technology and Educational Foundation (BATEF) in partnership with Ekhaya Insurance, which teamed up with Pigg’s Peak Hotel. The foundation is owned by Ngubane.
In a previous interview, Bholoja shared that they were looking forward to hosting more of these shows on a yearly basis to create more opportunities for smaller businesses in the Hhohho region. According to the artist, the aim is to empower the community in every way they can by working together. Also to uplift the arts industry in the region by creating more platforms for workshops that will grow their skills.
