BY SIPHOSETHU MABUZA
MANZINI– The tents may be coming down and the last sounds of the 2026 Mlawula Campfire Festival may have faded, but festivalgoers already have another date to look forward to, with the eighth edition confirmed for 24 to 26 September 2027.
The announcement comes just days after the three-day festival drew campers, outdoor enthusiasts and entertainment lovers to Mlawula Nature Reserve for a weekend that moved between adventure, food, culture and live music.
The 2026 edition featured a varied programme throughout the three days, with festivalgoers moving between outdoor activities, competitions and performances. The Bakkie Life programme brought adventure and competition to the weekend, while hiking, aerobics and other activities formed part of the daytime programme.
Food was also a major feature, with the Cook-Off Challenge divided into Street Food, Braai Master and Traditional Cuisine categories. Street Food and Braai Master finished tied on 90 points, while Traditional Cuisine recorded 88 points. Dumsile Nyoni emerged as the Braai Master winner and later thanked the sponsors on behalf of the winners.
The entertainment programme moved through different sounds and settings. Gospel acts Shongwe neKhuphuka Saved Group and Linda Dlamini brought a worship element to the Night Groove, while Sancheziey introduced umgidvo, giving the programme a distinctly cultural feel.
With the dates now confirmed, preparations and planning for the eighth edition are expected to begin among festivalgoers, particularly those who camp at the event and those who travel from outside Mlawula for the three-day programme. As the final tents are packed away and festival grounds return to their quieter rhythm, the next chapter is already marked on the calendar. For those who made Mlawula their home for the weekend, 24 September 2027 now stands as the date when the campfire atmosphere is set to return, marking the start of the festival’s eighth chapter.
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