BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MALKERNS – If you want to make money and set up ‘shop’ at next year’s MTN Bushfire Festival, then apply now as trader application are now open.
Trader applications will close on 31 January 2025.
Experienced vendors are invited to apply to trade at the 18th edition of the MTN Bushfire international festival of the arts, taking place at House on Fire in the scenic Malkerns Valley of Eswatini from 30 May – 1 June, 2025.
Trader application forms are available online, through the MTN Bushfire website, www.bush-fire.com. Links to the application forms can also be found on MTN Bushfire social media platforms: @MTNBushfire on Facebook, Instagram, and X, as well as the MTN Bushfire channel on Ayoba. Applications received by other means will not be considered. Final selections will be made by the 28th of February, 2025.
The festival offers an opportunity to cater to a diverse global audience of over 20,000 festivalgoers from over 55 countries during the 3-day festival weekend. Its commitment to contribute to the creative economy is shown by the increase in trading revenue from E7.35m in 2023 to just over E9.5m in 2024.
A variety of specially curated trading environments offer opportunities for official traders to find their best fit, these include gourmet food, artisanal handmade crafts, children’s and lifestyle services. Applicants will be assessed on the basis of product quality and uniqueness, health, hygiene and safety procedures, trading experience, professional and experiential set-up as well as quality of customer service.
Short-listed candidates may be asked to present their products and stall ideas at House On Fire before close of applications, and selected applicants will be required to attend a Trader Workshop virtually or in person at House On Fire.
Information Session
It is highly recommended that aspiring applicants attend an information session, which will be held before the end of the year, for potential applicants to learn more about trading at the festival, the different festival trading environments and opportunities, as well as details on selection criteria. The date and time will be announced on MTN Bushfire social media in due course.
Winner of “Best Responsible Event” at the WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards in 2017 and through #GREENYOURFIRE, MTN Bushfire is firmly committed to promoting socially and environmentally sustainable policies and practices throughout the product value chain, in collaboration with our packaging and recycling partners.
For any queries relating to trading at the festival please email traders@bush-fire.com
Due to the volume of applications, only successful candidates will be contacted. If you haven’t received a response by the end of February 2025, please consider your application unsuccessful.
