BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MAPUTO – The Makoti Festival successfully pulled off another surprise at the second leg of its media activation in Maputo, Mozambique yesterday.
The festival is set for its final media activation in Lesotho next week on Friday, March 28, 2025.
The festival kicked off with its first media activation last week Thursday in Mbombela at the Botanical Gardens, South Africa. Notably, this marks the third time the Makoti Festival has been launched in Mozambique.
The media activation in Maputo took place at the Associacao de Arte. Attendees included various media representatives from Maputo, Feling Capela (Maputo facilitator) the Makoti Executive, and Festival Director Thembinkosi Mthethwa, alongside Isidora Pinto, Illa Penboy (Sifiso Ndlangamandla), and Thandeka Msibi. They were joined by Mozambique’s queen of Afrobeat, the sensational Lizha James.
The fourth edition of the Makoti Festival is scheduled for April 26, 2025, at Malkerns Country Club. It is presented by New Life Entertainment in partnership with the Illa Penboy Foundation.
Mthethwa emphasized that the Makoti Festival celebrates the beauty women bring to business and networking, promoting tourism and cultural exchange among countries. This initiative also aims to raise awareness against gender-based violence (GBV).
The Makoti Festival Executive, Pinto unveiled the surprise DJ from that country DJ Suparmanmusic. Born Pedro Namburete has been hailed, Arena’s Best DJ Performance 2023, he is also a Chivas Influencer. Pinto also highlighted that they were hoping the traditional dance group from Matola in Mozambique did not attend the launch due to logistics, but hoping they will come for the festival next month.
New Life Entertainment’s Leebombo added local flavor with her performance, expressing her admiration for Lizha James. Their collaboration on the song “Kudze lasiphuma Khona” was the highlight of the launch.
This year, general tickets are priced at E300, while VIP tickets are E500. Tickets can be purchased through various platforms, including Howler, Computicket, Mojaticket, and MTN MoMo, as well as on the official website, www.makotifestival.com • http://www.makotifestival.com.
This year’s festival promises a vibrant celebration of Eswatini culture, featuring renowned artists such as:
– Dr. Rebecca Malope (South African gospel legend)
– Lizha James (Mozambique’s queen of Afro-beat)
– Khuzani “uGatsheni” Ndlovu (South African Maskandi powerhouse)
– Phumla Music, Ntate Stunna (Lesotho)
– Mshikishi, Siyinqaba, Gogo Mpila, King Kanga, Young Zesh (NACA 2024 Outstanding Afro-pop artist)
– Shongwe Ne Khuphuka (legendary gospel ensemble)
– Additionally, 11 local DJs will perform, bringing diverse sounds to the festival.
