BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE – As we count down to 2025, we reflect on the positive highlights of the year, it has been an eventful year to say the least.
Of course There were more than 10 special events that took place, but these were my highlights in the entertainment section in Eswatini, in no random order.
01. Nation bags India gig in January. He performed at the 37th edition of the Surajkund International Craft Mela 2024, which was held February 2–18, 2024, at Surajkund, Faridabad. Born Wandile Ndlovu in Pigg’s Peak 30 years ago, he debuted his music career in 2015. He was among the top ten winners of last year’s MTN Bushfire Firefly.
02. The third edition of the Makoti Festival in April was their biggest edition ever since their inception with a great line-up and a great attendance.
03. Ballet dancer silver medallist Ndoniyamanzi Luhlanga who is only 11 years old, represented the whole nation when she competed in the Dance World Cup in Prague in June. The Grade 6 at Bahai Primary School pupil scored 90% and got a silver medal in the Street Dancing category. Upon her return she was presented with money from the government and the Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini. The government presented her with E75,000, the PM then personally added E5,000 in his personal capacity, which added up to E80 000.
04. The 17th edition of the MTN Bushfire Festival end of May saw over 20,000 festivalgoers attend the festival daily, this was their biggest edition to date, with 4500 campers and more stages, namely the Main Stage, Amphitheatre Stage, Ballantine’s Stage, Bring Your Fire Zone, The Barn, Amphitheatre, and Heineken Stage with international and local artists gracing the stages with great performances.
05. The sixth edition of the Standard Bank Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival that was held in August was a colourful fashion, musical, and great food experience, this year was different as more EmaSwati dominated the line up with great performances, and of course international artists delivered great performances.
06. The Mlawula Campfire Festival which was held in October was more than just a festival this year it also saw the crowing of Miss Cultural Heritage Gcinizwi Tsikati who walked away with the crown.
07. Local Gospel artist Sphiwo Ndoni Ndlangamandla was crowned the Best of Africa Artist of the Year 2024 during the prestigious Mpumalanga Gospel Awards. The awards ceremony was held in the vibrant city of Mbombela, South Africa, yesterday (December 8, 2024).
08. Oukitel Eswatini bought back the glamour and prestige of Miss Eswatini, with prizes almost worth a million, including a luxurious sedan. The fairest of them all was Temvelo Mtsetfwa.
09. Of course we can’t forget our Eswatini groomed now global DJ, Uncle Waffles, born Lungelihle Zwane (24), she toured the world, dropped an EP, an album, and just last week named the second most female streamed artists on Audiomack.
10. To end the year in style we have to hand to Arts and Culture and the team for pulling off successful awards. The Eswatini National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA awards) held this month, celebrated the talent in Eswatini and awarded deserving artists, designers, and models from all four regions for their talent, great job!
