WHO PLAYS WHEN? LUJU RELEASES FULL SCHEDULE

BY NELIWE NGUBANE

MALKERNS – The countdown to the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival has officially entered its final stretch after organisers released the much-anticipated performance schedule, giving festivalgoers a glimpse of where and when their favourite artists, chefs and creatives will take centre stage.

Under this year’s theme, “A Return to the African Future,” the two-day festival, set for Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2, promises an unforgettable celebration of African music, fashion, food and culture across four vibrant stages at House on Fire in Malkerns.

The Main Stage will host some of the continent’s biggest names. Saturday’s programme opens with ThisIsOdd at 10am, followed by the Correctional Services Choir at 1pm, Cece & Rina at 2pm, before the Fashion Café Pop-Up Runway takes over at 3pm. The musical journey continues with Bathini, Mandisi Dyantyis, Fela Kuru, Shwi Mntombazane, Circles & Squares, Neyma, MBO, Zola 7, Tribal Natives, Nasty C, before Tman Xpress closes the night with a 1am performance.

Sunday keeps the momentum alive as DJ Bob opens proceedings at 12 noon, followed by The Kyle Shepherd Xahuri Trio Plays the Music of Abdullah Ibrahim, Bathini, Mahleh, Circles & Squares, The Masekela Band, DJ MK, Bholoja, Liquideep, with award-winning hitmaker Zakes Bantwini bringing the festival to a spectacular close from 9:15pm.

Electronic music lovers will find their home at the Buzz Stage, where Eswatini’s finest DJs will keep the energy flowing. Saturday features Ndumz, Sergy, Baybash and Thubillion B2B Tap, while Sunday’s lineup includes Drum Rhythm, Obsession, Bab’Dlamini and Lady Gee.

The Honeycomb Stage shines a spotlight on emerging talent and alternative sounds. Saturday’s acts include Oriiginelle, Ka-Tembe Connexion, Emagagu, the Luju Fashion Runway, Wandile Mbambeni and Sancheziey. On Sunday, audiences can enjoy performances by Talent’N’Motion, Judah Soul, Thando Zide, Wonderboom and Mandisa Mamba.

Beyond the music, the Culinary Programme at the Amphitheatre will celebrate Africa’s rich food heritage. Saturday begins with Thobile Makhoyane’s Nguni Mcombotsi Circle, followed by Magriza Made Me Cook’s Ancestral Forage and Ferments session. The afternoon features Chef Mmabatho Molefe’s Nguni Fine Dining experience, complemented by a Cork & Co Wine Masterclass and Tasting.

Sunday’s culinary experience continues with Chef Sive’s Nguni Desserts and Wine Masterclass, before Coco & J concludes the programme with the Afroguese Sonic Food Experience, blending food, music and storytelling into one immersive African experience.

With world-class entertainment, gourmet cuisine, fashion showcases and cultural experiences spread across multiple stages, this year’s Luju Festival is shaping up to be one of Eswatini’s biggest lifestyle celebrations, offering festivalgoers a carefully curated journey through the sounds, tastes and creativity of Africa.

MAIN STAGE

BUZZ STAGE

HONEYCOMB STAGE

CULINARY PROGRAMME

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