BY PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE– From the rhythm of Umhlanga to the roar of the Swazi Rally, the Kingdom of Eswatini has officially hit the road with its 2025 tourism pitch – and the first stop is Maputo.
On Thursday morning, the Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) hosted a colourful and culturally rich Events Calendar Activation at the prestigious Hotel Cardoso in Mozambique’s capital.
Led by ETA’s Head of Marketing, Chunky Dlamini, the event brought together Mozambican tour operators, media houses, bikers, tourism boards, and event organisers for a full preview of what Eswatini has to offer this coming year.
“This activation is about more than just dates and festivals,” said Dlamini.
“It’s a bold invitation to the region and beyond, to come and experience Eswatini’s unique, home-grown events that continue to attract thousands of visitors annually.”
The 2025 calendar includes signature Eswatini events such as the Umhlanga Reed Dance, Swazi Rally, Imbube Marathon, Mlawula Campfire Festival, Makoti Festival, Border to Border Cycling Tour, Farmer’s Market, and the much-anticipated Hypnotik Festival, all celebrated for their cultural depth, vibrant atmosphere, and cross-border appeal.
“We’re here to ensure that Eswatini remains at the top of every traveler’s wish list,” added Dlamini. “We believe in building bridges through events that speak to the heart of our culture and the soul of our people.”
AMBASSADOR CALLS FOR UNITY THROUGH TOURISM
His Excellency Mlondi Dlamini, the Ambassador of Eswatini to Mozambique, gave the keynote address, reinforcing the importance of regional unity through tourism.
“This activation is not just a diplomatic formality, it’s a strategic investment in our shared future,” he said.
“We are turning our borders into bridges and our unique cultures into a collective opportunity.”
He commended the Tri-land Agreement (Eswatini–Mpumalanga–Mozambique) for laying the foundation for collaborative tourism efforts in Southern Africa and praised ETA for consistently returning to Mozambique with updates, opportunities, and joint marketing initiatives.
THE TOURISM NUMBERS DON’T LIE
The Ambassador also gave a tourism statistics snapshot that proved Mozambique remains one of Eswatini’s biggest feeder markets. Between December 2024 and June 2025, Mozambique and South Africa combined accounted for over 93% of international visitors to the Kingdom. Of the 97 745 total visitors in June, Mozambique contributed 17 456, second only to South Africa.
“These numbers show us that the work ETA is doing here in Mozambique is not just impactful, it’s essential,” he said.
ACTIVATION LINE-UP & REGIONAL SUPPORT
Several stakeholders shared the stage with engaging presentations, including:
Carlos Paiva from the Swazi Rally, who announced this year’s event (29–31 August) will include a raffle draw where one lucky biker will ride off with a motorbike worth over E300 000.
Sakhile Nkambule, founder of Swazi Jive and Hypnotik, officially confirmed the return of the beloved Hypnotik Festival, which is expected to draw over 10 000 youth to its October 4 comeback edition.
Isdoro Pinto Executive of Makoti Festival highlighted the celebration of women, stating “Makoti is every woman, and the festival is for everyone, it’s a space to honour feminine strength, beauty, and power.”
Yazid Imran from the Mozambique Cycling Association emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, saying, “We need to focus on unity, development, and shared vision as neighbouring nations.”
CLOSING WITH GRATITUDE
To wrap up the event, ETA extended a kind gesture of appreciation by presenting each guest with a branded goodie bag – a small token to say thank you, and a symbol of the warm hospitality Eswatini is known for.
As the region moves toward the 2025 tourism peak season, the message from ETA is loud and clear: Eswatini is open, festive, and ready to host the world.
