BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE – The Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival is taking place on the 4th and 5th of August 2023 at the iconic House On Fire performance venue in Malkerns. Here is a taste of the elegant and sophisticated experiences awaiting the Luju Festivalgoer.
This year, Standard Bank and House On Fire have even more to bring you with this family-friendly feast of culinary exploits, high-end fashion and Afro-centric music, celebrating the wealth, sophistication and elegance of African heritage.
The Luju Ethos, “A Return to the African Future”, celebrates Africa’s beauty and style, from the past to the present and onwards to the future. It’s a journey of the senses, a re-imagining of our heritage, and a preview of the design innovations of tomorrow.
In 2023, “A Return to the African Future” finds expression in the two main themes this year: “Design Gastronomy” in the Culinary space and “African Fashion Folktales” in the Fashion arena.
In keeping with the Luju theme (“Luju” means “honey” in siSwati), the Standard Bank Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival will present an array of themed spaces, called Hives, for guests to explore; each bringing together an array of complementary groupings of sensory experiences.
LUJU 2023 HIVES
Luju Main Stage: Set against a breath-taking backdrop of endless cane fields and rolling hills, the Standard Bank Luju Main Stage features an inspired array of sounds from headlining musical performances from Eswatini, the region and beyond. With two large LED screens on both sides of the stage, festival attendees can see and sway to the live performances from afar.
Mastercard Stage: The Mastercard Stage features live music performances, culinary showcases and the Standard Bank Luju Fashion Runway regional collaboration between Zimbabwean, Swati, Sotho and Mozambican creatives. The Pick n Pay Culinary Demo platform, with top chefs and culinary experts from the region, will host a range of interactive demonstrations, tastings and masterclasses in this space.
Taste of Mozambique: This year’s regional showcase focuses on Mozambique, with the House On Fire Amphitheatre transformed into an eclectic, vibrant space offering an Afro-guese (African Portuguese) experience. Supported by Freshlyground Restaurant, “Taste of Mozambique ” provides a unique platform for festival goers to interact with the food, fashion, music, and rhythms of the colourful African coast, as well as a taste of Brazil in the caipirinha bar.
Premium Lounge: A bespoke, executive lounge offering a la carte style menu and wait service. Supported by Malandela’s Restaurant, Malandeli delicatessen, Cork & Co. wine club, this space not only brings an exclusive, wide range of wine and charcuterie pairings but also gives prime views of the stage and a panoramic experience of the festival offerings.
The Grapevine: A celebration of all things wine, the Grapevine experience explores some of the top wines from the region, with an expert sommelier-led tasting and food pairings. This space also caters for all the bubbly personalities with a range of spumante, MCC, Prosecco and champagne. The Grapevine also houses the exclusive Bruce Jack wine saloon where guests can book and experience charcuterie and wine pairings as well as win amazing prizes. Supported by Bruce Jack Wines.
Fashion Café: A hive of creative abundance selling diverse African fashion, accessories as well as skin and hair care products, the Fashion Café is where festival goers can find a wide range of items inspired by African culture and heritage, including vibrant clothing, unique jewellery, and nourishing skincare products. Festival Goers can shop with confidence, knowing that they are supporting small independent businesses and promoting the beauty of AFRICAN Craftsmanship.
Future Icons: The Fashion Café Marketplace also provides the first market showcase for emerging fashion and food brands under the Artisanal Incubator Programme for 10 local MSMEs, in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC) Alliances for Action programme, funded by the European Union. These “Future Icons” are the future trend-setting brands to watch!
Heritage Food Garden: Take a sensory voyage through Africa and further exotic lands in this hive of traditional tastes and experiences. The Heritage Food Garden has a distinct cultural offering that allows festival goers the opportunity to not only taste nostalgic dishes, but to enjoy unique age-old cooking techniques and food artefacts. This space is supported by Rhodes Food Group and has 19 food stalls including 3 bars, a sweet treats spot, exotic and healthy eats, as well as a range of African cuisine.
Beer Garden: A specially curated hive highlighting premium brews and offering a range of beer-infused menu items from Luju Cook-Off Chefs, as well complementary smoked meats and one-of-a-kind sausages prepared by charcutier extraordinaire Richard Bosman. This space is supported by Stella Artois and offers a selection of tastings, food pairings and beer specials.
Cocktail Lounge: Every hour is happy hour on the sunset deck with a vibrant selection of artisanal cocktails made with indigenous and exotic botanicals. Cushioned between the Mastercard Stage and the main festival stage, this space offers a laid-back vibe complemented by expert mixologists.
The Beehive: The Beehive is a space where children, and their parents, can safely participate in a myriad of age-appropriate and stimulating activities of all kinds. In between getting active and creative, youngsters can also enjoy healthy treats packed with flavour.
Official Luju Campsite: With the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival taking place over two days this year, guests are invited to stay on-site in Luju style with a choice of ready erected tents available for both Friday and Saturday nights at the official Luju Campsite managed by All Out Africa. Tickets are available online from the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival website.
Paid Parking and Greening Luju: Paid Parking at the festival is being introduced this year, in order to support increased security measures in the parking lot, as well as to encourage car-pooling and manage traffic congestion as part of the festival’s continuous efforts to Green Luju. Parking will cost E30 per day and can be purchased with cash or paid with funds from festival wristbands at the parking lot gate.
Tickets: Festival tickets are available from outlets in Eswatini at Standard Bank in Corporate Place, Mbabane, and Standard Bank branches in Ezulwini (Gables) and Manzini, as well as Dala Spaces at Malandela’s Lifestyle in Malkerns.
Tickets can now be purchased using UNAYO. Simply send ‘Hi’ to +268 7805 6364 via WhatsApp, select Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival and follow the prompts to purchase your ticket.
Online festival and camping tickets may be purchased via the Luju Festival website: www.lujufestival.com. A portion of every ticket sold will go towards supporting small-scale rural bee farmers in Eswatini.
