BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MALKERNS – The sound of the trumpet, the depth of isiXhosa melodies and the spirit of African storytelling filled House on Fire on August 1, 2026, as celebrated South African musician Mandisi Dyantyis delivered a spellbinding Main Stage performance during the eighth edition of the Standard Bank Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival.
Performing at 4pm, the acclaimed trumpeter, vocalist and composer captivated festival-goers with a powerful set that blended jazz, gospel and traditional African rhythms, creating an unforgettable musical experience that celebrated heritage, identity and the beauty of African expression.
Singing exclusively in isiXhosa, Dyantyis used his voice, trumpet and emotionally charged compositions to take the audience on a journey through history, culture and human experience.
Following his performance, Dyantyis reflected on the deeper meaning behind his music and the significance of festivals such as Luju in preserving African stories.
“We are from the past and going to the future,” he said.
His words echoed the spirit of this year’s Kwasukasukela theme, which celebrates heritage, storytelling and the connection between generations.
Dyantyis explained that his music is inspired by the traditional African practice of storytelling, where tales are shared not only for entertainment but also to teach, preserve history and guide future generations.
“When they say ‘once upon a time’, they are going to tell a story that teaches. My mother would say ‘once upon a time’ when she wanted to tell us a tale that would teach us something, or she would tell us about history and where we come from,” he said.
He added that Luju carries the same spirit by bringing together artists and audiences to celebrate where they come from while looking towards the future.
“I think that’s what the festival is doing. It is saying, look at where we are now, but we are not from now. We are from the past and going to the future,” he said.
Known for his unique ability to combine jazz, gospel, classical influences and traditional Xhosa sounds, Dyantyis has become one of South Africa’s most respected contemporary musicians.
The Gqeberha-born artist said his mission is to create music that gives people strength and allows them to embrace who they are.
“I try to create art that can allow people to be who they are in the moment, in an African context,” he said.
Dyantyis also praised the Luju audience, describing Eswatini as a place where music lovers understand and appreciate quality performances.
“This is my home,” he said, highlighting his connection to Eswatini through family ties and his appreciation for local audiences.
“I love the audience here. The audiences are very knowledgeable, they know the music, they know good music because Eswatini has very good music festivals,” he said.
The musician encouraged emerging creatives to recognise their talents, remain committed to their craft and build supportive networks.
“Everyone is given a gift. Understand that it’s a great gift. Believe in that gift, work at it and get a community of creatives. You cannot do it yourself,” he said.
With a career spanning music, theatre and composition, Dyantyis has earned acclaim for his emotionally powerful performances and his role as a resident music director for the internationally recognised Isango Ensemble.
His Luju performance once again demonstrated why his music continues to resonate across borders — not only as entertainment, but as a powerful form of cultural storytelling.
As the final notes of his trumpet faded across House on Fire, Dyantyis left festival-goers with a reminder that African music carries the memories of the past, the energy of the present and the dreams of the future.
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