BY NELIWE NGUBANE (INTERN)
EZULWINI– The countdown has officially begun for what organisers believe will become one of Eswatini’s biggest cultural and entertainment gatherings, with more than 5 000 people expected to descend on Vuvulane for the inaugural Simunye Fest in October.
The three-day festival, scheduled for October 23 to 25, 2026, was officially launched during a media event held at Happy Valley in Ezulwini on Monday, where organisers unveiled their vision of transforming the Lubombo Region into a vibrant hub of culture, tourism, business and entertainment.
Addressing journalists, Simunye Fest organiser Msutfu Masilela described the festival as more than just a music event, saying it was designed to unite communities while creating economic opportunities for local people.
“Today, we officially launch Simunye Fest – a festival whose name, meaning ‘We Are One’ in siSwati, is not just a brand. It is a promise. A promise to this nation, to our youth, and to the communities that will host and be transformed by what we are building together,” said Masilela.
The launch comes after organisers were forced to change venues following a setback involving the initially proposed Goshe Szokolay Stadium in Simunye. However, Masilela said the move to Vuvulane ultimately presented an even greater opportunity.
“It was a setback. I will not pretend otherwise. But here is what I have come to believe: sometimes a door closes so that the right door can open. Because what happened next was not a consolation – it was a calling,” he said.
Located along the busy East 3 Route, Vuvulane offers easy access for visitors travelling from across Eswatini, Mozambique and South Africa. The festival site spans 7.85 hectares and sits along one of the region’s most strategic transport corridors.
Masilela highlighted the area’s potential to attract regional visitors, noting that Mozambique’s Maputo metropolitan area and South Africa’s Mpumalanga Province were both within a short driving distance.
“The Maputo metropolitan area – over 1.1 million people – is within a two-to-three-hour drive. Mpumalanga’s Nelspruit is within the same reach. We are not just throwing a festival,” he said.
Designed as a fully immersive experience, Simunye Fest will feature 12 interconnected experience zones catering to different interests and age groups. These include the main stage, Nomad Valley camping site, Impact Hub, Creator and Influencer Hub, Fashion and Lifestyle Zone, Carnival Games, Family Zone, Tourism and Cultural Experience Centre, networking spaces and a VIP Lounge.
“This is not a music event with extras. This is a fully integrated cultural, entrepreneurship and lifestyle ecosystem – purpose-built for the modern African audience,” Masilela explained.
Beyond entertainment, organisers believe the festival will stimulate local economic activity through tourism, entrepreneurship and temporary employment opportunities while showcasing the Lubombo Region as a premier events destination.
The festival has already secured support from several key partners. Jägermeister and Corner Street Liquors have come on board as beverage sponsors, while Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) will serve as the official media partner. Emerge Care has been appointed the official medical partner, with the Vuvulane Town Board also lending its support to the initiative.
Masilela expressed appreciation to the sponsors and stakeholders who have backed the project from its early stages.
“The support we have received continues to strengthen the credibility of Simunye Fest and gives us confidence that we are building something that will leave a lasting impact,” he said.
With activation campaigns expected to roll out across the country in the coming months, anticipation is already building for what organisers hope will become a landmark annual event on Eswatini’s entertainment calendar.
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(Courtesy Pic)
