Eswatini Artists light the flame

 

By Mrs M 

MTN Bushfire has never simply been a music festival. It is a cultural tapestry, a communion of artistry and humanity.

 But in 2025, something remarkable happened, Eswatini artists didn’t just participate, they defined the mood. 

They filled the stages, stirred the souls, and left an indelible mark on a weekend dedicated to fire and freedom.

From the Main Stage to the Firefly, Amphitheatre and through to intimate, genre-blending corners of the festival, Eswatini’s artists delivered performances that felt both deeply personal and nationally symbolic.

Lyrikal Busta and Young Zesh brought thunder to Saturday night with a charged performance that leaned confidently into the new era of local Hip Hop. Raw but refined, political but playful, their energy drew one of the most responsive crowds of the festival.

Earlier, Khole had opened Sunday with an acoustic-laced set that felt almost devotional. Her voice, rich and unguarded, carried the afternoon sun straight into the hearts of the audience. Zwile Bhembe was his usual artistic self when he joined Inkabi Zezwe on stage he put on a spectacular show with his saxophone.

On Friday night, Zee Nxumalo carrying the dual identity of Swati and South African roots brought vocal dexterity and high-gloss presence, her set closing with a roaring ovation.

Then came Sarnilo, taking the Amphitheatre and making it her own. With an emotional set sung in Siswati and Chichewa, she offered a kind of lyrical storytelling that reminded us why language is sacred.

 Sibu Manzini, too, emerged as a fan favourite, fusing Afro-soul and poetic spoken word with a grounded presence that commanded the Firefly stage.

No Eswatini celebration would be complete without the selectors behind the decks, setting the tempo for joy and release. 

The Scientists brought an ethereal blend of Afro-electronica that transcended genre and kept bodies moving long after midnight. Speech Umlangeni returned with his signature tribal house rhythms, sounding at once futuristic and rooted in Swazi soil.

Chantel offered a melodic and experimental set that was refreshingly unpredictable, while DJ This is Odd , an anchor in the local scene delivered a groove-heavy selection that paid homage to the past and future of dance music in the Kingdom. With Tamika and others rounding out the night, it was clear that Eswatini DJs aren’t just rising they’ve arrived.

Bushfire’s cultural integrity remains one of its most revered qualities. This year, Intsatsakusa the vibrant traditional ensemble reminded festival-goers of the sacred sound. Their performance was not simply a showcase; it was an invocation. A calling back to source, to identity, to the pulse of Swaziland and its people.

MTN Bushfire’s celebration of the arts has always extended beyond music. This year, the festival hosted an internationally recognised short film showcase and Eswatini’s filmmakers were front and centre.

Among the four local films chosen for this honour was Lifa Lami, a deeply moving portrait of heritage and loss. The film stood tall beside its international counterparts, proving once again that Swazi storytelling is both local in heart and global in reach.

“This means everything to us and to local filmmakers,” Siphosethu Sibandze shared. And it does. Because this kind of platform where local art meets global gaze is not merely exposure; it is validation, a moment of truth, and an opening of doors.

What MTN Bushfire 2025 showed us clearly, proudly, and without hesitation is that Eswatini talent is not a footnote or filler. It is a force. From producers to poets, vocalists to visual artists, our country’s creators were not just present; they were pivotal.

Their voices soared over every stage. Their beats shook the ground. Their stories, sung and spoken and screened, invited thousands into the magic of Eswatini. This year, we didn’t just bring our fire. We were the fire.