BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE– A proud moment for Eswatini artists!
Three Eswatini artists will participate in the upcoming South Africa’s Phakama Festival in September.
The festival will be based in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. The three artists to perform there include Bholoja, DJ Cybos, and Thobile Makhoyane. The two-day festival will be held on September 28–29 at 116 Montana Gardens in White River, Ngwenya Estates.
The second edition of the festival was launched last Thursday in Whiteriver, Mpumalanga. The trio also attended and performed at the launch. This was confirmed by Phakama Festival Director Siboniso Twain Ngwenya.
When reached for comment, Ngwenya shared with this publication that the Lifestyle festival is big on visual arts, painting, arts, fashion, and music. He said, “We are still looking for more Emaswati to be part of the line-up for the festival. We are also looking for artists in Mozambique and Eswatini, and of course, an Mpumalanga artist, as this is their territory. The three were chosen by us to be part of this year’s second edition of the festival. We will be releasing the first phase line-up between May and June.”
When asked how the trio got the gig, he shared that they worked with their sources to secure them. As the festival grows, they will then give artists a chance to apply to be part of it. He also mentioned that although he is an advocate by profession, he came up with the concept of the festival because of his love for art, fashion and music.
He said, “This year the launch was different as we borrowed the tiny desk concept where artists performed in an intimate setting for 20 minutes in a gallery setting. We then record the performances and, after editing, upload their work on YouTube for them to get maximum exposure,” shared the festival director.
According to Ngwenya, last year the festival was held in October at the same venue as this year, but they decided to shift to September because of the rains. The debut festival was headlined by South African artists Lwa Ndlunkulu, Indlovukazi, and Bholoja, among others.
