BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MALKERNS – Standard Bank Eswatini Chief Executive Mvuselelo Fakudze has described the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival as more than just an entertainment event, saying it is a platform that promotes African culture, connects people and creates economic opportunities.
Speaking during the eighth edition of the festival held at Malkerns, Fakudze said the event represents Standard Bank’s commitment to celebrating local heritage, food, fashion and traditions while bringing people from across the region together.
He expressed appreciation to visitors from Mozambique who attended the festival, highlighting the strong cultural ties that exist between Eswatini and Mozambique.
“This is a very important cultural event for Standard Bank, and it is important because it promotes African culture and African food, and how people used to live,” Fakudze said.
He reflected on the historical connections between Eswatini and Mozambique, particularly the shared heritage and languages between the two nations.
Fakudze said the cultural similarities between the Swati, Ngoni and Tsonga-speaking communities demonstrate the importance of preserving and promoting African identity.
“As a bank, if you don’t focus on culture, you will not understand the people of that country,” he said.
He explained that Standard Bank sees itself as an institution that helps create connections between businesses, communities and cultural platforms that celebrate African experiences.
According to Fakudze, events such as Luju provide an important marketplace for entrepreneurs and traders who get an opportunity to showcase their products and services to a wider audience.
“This is a very good platform for the traders who are able to say, ‘we are here, people are selling food’,” he said.
He noted that the festival has also strengthened regional cooperation between Standard Bank Eswatini and Standard Bank Mozambique, with visitors crossing borders to experience the Kingdom’s unique lifestyle offering.
Fakudze said the relationship between the two countries extends beyond Luju, with similar cultural exchanges taking place through events such as jazz festivals in Mozambique.
“People from Mozambique bring their clients here to come and enjoy the Swazi experience, and it is very important for us,” he said.
He added that Eswatini’s natural environment provides a unique setting for outdoor cultural experiences, allowing visitors to connect with nature and local communities.
“You can come and enjoy the experience of nature, connecting with nature and connecting with the local people,” Fakudze said.
He said the festival demonstrates Standard Bank’s role as an institution invested in the development of Eswatini and supporting activities that contribute to the country’s growth.
Looking ahead to the festival experience, Fakudze said the main objective was to ensure that all attendees leave with memorable experiences.
He said visitors were expected to enjoy a variety of activities, including fashion showcases, food exhibitions, wine tasting, local brew demonstrations and musical performances.
“People are here to enjoy food. There are a lot of food stalls with different types of food varieties. People are here to enjoy wine tasting and local brew,” he said.
Fakudze said the festival also highlights local traditions through demonstrations of how traditional beverages are prepared, giving visitors a deeper appreciation of Eswatini’s heritage.
He added that music lovers would be entertained throughout the night with performances designed to bring people together through song and dance.
“For us, success is about making sure that everybody taking part has a very beautiful experience,” he said.
Fakudze said Luju remains a significant milestone for Standard Bank Eswatini, recalling that the idea was developed as a signature event for the bank.
“When I joined the bank, the marketing people said we need a signature event for Standard Bank Eswatini. This was conceived before I joined the bank, but we polished it up and launched it,” he said.
He said the festival has grown into an important event for both the bank and the national economy, contributing to tourism, entrepreneurship and cultural promotion.
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