BY NELIWE NGUBANE(INTERN)
MALKERNS – The Corona Firefly Stage at the 19th edition of MTN Bushfire once again proved why it remains a launchpad for emerging and established talent, as Eswatini artists Bandora, Gifted Kosie and Ayacity delivered memorable performances that captivated audiences from across the globe.
Held from May 29 to 31, the internationally acclaimed festival brought together thousands of music lovers, creatives and cultural enthusiasts, creating a platform where local artists shared the stage with global talent while showcasing Eswatini’s vibrant music scene.
Kicking off the festivities on Friday, May 29, Bandora described his Bushfire debut as a surreal moment he will cherish forever. Performing before a diverse audience made up of festivalgoers from different continents, the artist admitted that his biggest concern was making sure he delivered a flawless set.
“This is the biggest festival in the country. Looking out and seeing thousands of people singing along is something I’ll never forget,” he said.
Bandora revealed that one of his proudest moments came when fans sang along to almost every hit song he performed. He was equally humbled by the overwhelming support after the show, with many festivalgoers eager to learn more about him and follow his social media platforms.
The artist credited his success to the people around him, thanking his mentor, team, family and even critics for helping shape his journey. He encouraged aspiring artists to remain humble and work hard, stressing that talent alone is not enough to achieve success.
On Saturday, Gifted Kosie returned to the Bushfire stage, describing the experience as an honour. Having performed at the festival before, she said she felt comfortable navigating the high-energy atmosphere despite technical and scheduling challenges that affected performance times.
“The response was great, even with the little time I had on stage,” she said.
For Kosie, being booked for the festival and serving as a Perfect Choice brand ambassador were among her biggest highlights. She also celebrated the opportunity to perform on both Friday and Saturday, calling every experience at Bushfire a blessing. Her message was simple: “Work hard and play hard.”
Meanwhile, DJ and producer Ayacity marked his fourth appearance at Bushfire, highlighting the festival’s international reputation as one of the reasons he continues to value the experience.
“It always feels great because Bushfire helps you grow your fanbase and elevate your profile,” he said.
Ayacity reflected on his journey from performing on the Firefly Stage years ago to sharing spaces with artists he admires, including South African Amapiano giant Kabza De Small. He praised MC King Terry for helping energise the crowd throughout his set and noted that performing at a festival requires a completely different approach from playing in clubs.
The DJ also encouraged aspiring artists to trust the process, reminding them that success requires sacrifice, planning and consistency.
“We all started small. It doesn’t happen overnight. I’ve been DJing since 2011 and we’re still climbing the ladder,” he said.
As MTN Bushfire 2026 drew thousands from around the world, the performances by Bandora, Gifted Kosie and Ayacity demonstrated the growing strength of Eswatini’s music industry and the ability of local artists to command international attention on one of Africa’s biggest cultural stages.
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