BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBOMBELA – Just when we thought the line-up for the Makoti Festival was complete, we learned of two exciting surprise acts: South African artist Phumla Music and Ligwalagwala Radio host Hlengiwe Sidane, who will serve as this year’s international MC.
Last year, the festival featured South African radio and TV personality Kedibone Mkhabela as the MC during its third edition.
Phumla Nkomo, known as Phumla Music, hails from Barberton and is currently gaining popularity with her music featured on Big Brother Mzansi. She previously performed at the Divas Concert in 2019.
Yesterday, the Makoti Festival held its first media activation in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, South Africa. The launch took place at the lush Botanical Gardens Restaurant, attended by various South African media houses, including Sowetan, Mpumalanga Mirror, Mpumalanga News, Soft Network Podcast, Ligwalagwala FM, Lokuhle FM, and Mpumalanga 247.
Invited guests included Mpumalanga MMC of Sports and Culture Khanyisa Mhlanga, media influencers, artists, and representatives from both traditional print media from Eswatini and Broadcasting Information Centre (EBIS).
The launch kicked off just after 10 AM, with Ligwalagwala Radio host Hlengiwe Sidane serving as the programme director. She introduced the Makoti Festival Executive, which included Festival Director Thembinkosi Mthethwa, Isidora Pinto, Nomathemba Xaba, and Thandeka Msibi.
Mthethwa outlined the festival’s growth from its inception to its current stage, sharing highlights from previous editions, including headliners such as the late Zahara, Sjava for the second edition, and last year’s edition was Grammy Award winner Nomcebo Zikode.
MMC Khanyisa Mhlanga, who also has ties to Eswatini, emphasized the importance of revitalizing integrated relations between the two countries. She expressed her admiration for the Makoti concept, which celebrates the idea that a modern makoti does not need to be married, as women possess the superpower to multiply whatever they touch. Mhlanga shared that she is looking forward to the festival and plans to bring her entourage.
A question-and-answer session followed, where guests posed various inquiries to the executive team about opportunities for aspiring artists to perform at the Makoti stage. Nicholas Slotta Dlamini from the Makoti Team responded to questions regarding the application process. Also present was NewLife artist Lubombo, who also performed, while DJ Cup (Zama Maseko) served as the technical director for the launch.
The second activation will take place in Mozambique in Maputo, next Thursday, (March 20, 2025) followed by the final stop in Lesotho on March 28, 2025.
The fourth edition of the Makoti Festival is scheduled for April 26, 2025, at the Malkerns Country Club. General tickets are priced at E300, while VIP tickets are E500.
Tickets are available through platforms like Howler, Computicket, Mojaticket, MTN MoMo, and the official website, www.makotifestival.com • http://www.makotifestival.com. Tickets can also be purchased via MoMo through MTN Eswatini, with a step-by-step guide provided for convenience.
This year’s festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of Eswatini culture, featuring a line-up of renowned artists, including South African gospel legend Dr. Rebecca Malope, Mozambique’s queen of Afro-beat Lizha James, and South African Maskandi powerhouse Khuzani “uGatsheni” Ndlovu. Other performers include Ntate Stunna, Gogo Mpila, King Kanga, Young Zesh (NACA 2024 Outstanding Afro-pop artist), and the legendary gospel ensemble Shongwe Ne Khuphuka. Additionally, 11 local DJs will perform, bringing diverse sounds to the festival.
