BY NELIWE NGUBANE
MALKERNS– South African music icon Zola 7, award-winning duo LiQuideep and Eswatini’s celebrated Afro-soul musician Bholoja have shared powerful reflections on this year’s Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival theme, “Kwesukasukela – A Return to the African Future,” urging Africans to reconnect with their identity, culture and heritage.
The artists shared their interpretations during interviews at the festival, where the annual celebration of African food, fashion, music and creativity brought together thousands of revellers over the weekend at House On Fire in Malkerns.
Veteran rapper, television personality and social activist Zola 7, whose career has inspired millions across Africa through music and community work, said the theme initially sparked his imagination before revealing a deeper meaning.
“When I got the email, I thought we were building pyramids again,” he joked. “We were the first people to construct some of the most amazing buildings in the world thousands of years ago.”
He said, however, that the theme ultimately reminds Africans to preserve and pass down authentic stories to future generations.
“To me, it means we have to narrate the relevant stories to our children while they are growing up so they take pride in themselves instead of trying to relate to western or northern countries. Even if they go to those countries, they must present something they were raised with,” said Zola 7.
LiQuideep vocalist and songwriter Ziyon, whose soulful music has earned the group widespread acclaim across Southern Africa, described the theme as a natural reflection of African creativity already taking shape through music, fashion and art.
“Kwesukasukela means the world for music, fashion and art. What we are doing right now is leading change naturally,” he said.
Eswatini’s own Bholoja, renowned for using his music to celebrate Swazi culture and identity, echoed similar sentiments, saying Africans should return to their roots before embracing the future.
“To me it means going back to your roots. Let’s start considering and appreciating who we are because we have forgotten who we are. I don’t know what formula was used back then for the longest time, but I think it’s time to get back to reality and appreciate ourselves,” he said.
Their messages captured the spirit of this year’s festival, which encouraged Africans to celebrate their heritage while embracing innovation. Through music, fashion, storytelling and art, the performers demonstrated that the future of Africa is strongest when it is built upon the richness of its own identity.
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