BY NELIWE NGUBANE
MALKERNS– The Luju Festival is set to celebrate the richness of African cuisine through its 2026 Culinary Experience, with this year’s theme, ‘Nguni Foodways’, paying tribute to the traditions, indigenous knowledge and food heritage of the Nguni people.
The culinary theme was officially unveiled by Luju Festival Clinary Curator Sasha Thorne during the 2026 Standard Bank Luju Festival 8th Edition official launch held at House on Fire, Malkerns, where she highlighted the festival’s commitment to preserving and celebrating African food culture.
One of the festival’s signature attractions, the Luju Culinary Experience presents food as more than nourishment. It honours the land that has sustained generations and celebrates the enduring influence of traditional African foodways on contemporary gastronomy.
Centred on the theme ‘Nguni Foodways’, this year’s culinary programme explores the rich heritage of the Nguni people as custodians of innovation and cultural memory rooted in land, livestock and indigenous knowledge.
Leading this year’s cooking demonstrations are renowned South African culinary duo Coco & J, celebrated for blending African flavours with modern techniques to create soulful Afro-fusion cuisine. The pair have built a reputation for showcasing authentic African ingredients while presenting them in innovative and contemporary ways.
Joining them is award-winning South African chef Mmabatho Molefe, widely recognised for elevating traditional Zulu cuisine through refined fine-dining experiences. Her work celebrates indigenous ingredients while preserving the authenticity of African culinary traditions, earning her acclaim across the continent.
Representing Zimbabwe is Chef Prince Sivalo Mahlangu, an advocate for African food heritage who is known for reimagining Zimbabwean and indigenous African cuisine. His sessions will focus on fermentation techniques and ancestral foraging practices, demonstrating how traditional methods continue to shape modern African cooking.
Eswatini’s own Chef Sive Bhembe will present an innovative Nguni-inspired dessert cooking demonstration on Sunday, August 2, at House on Fire. Her showcase is expected to highlight locally inspired flavours while giving traditional desserts a contemporary twist.
Beyond the live demonstrations, festivalgoers will have the opportunity to experience Luju’s signature culinary spaces, known as Hives, including the Premium Lounge, Beer Garden, Wine Saloon, Sweet Spot, Cocktail Lounge and Heritage Food Garden.
Festival organisers say the culinary programme is designed to celebrate African identity through food, transforming every meal into a story of heritage, memory and culture while offering visitors an unforgettable taste of African culinary excellence.
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(Courtesy Pic)
