Times Of Swaziland: PM PRAISES MTN BUSHFIRE FESTIVAL

PM PRAISES MTN BUSHFIRE FESTIVAL
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Neliswa Sibiya on 11/04/2025 08:17:00


MBABANE – Prime Minister (PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini praised the festival’s
efforts during the official launch which was held at House on Fire last week.
the PM said as he was listening to some of the developments, he appreciates the
level of access that the festival enables for individuals from all walks of
life. “As such, we look to immersing in yet another festival experience that
unites artists, the youth and MSMEs in the form of vendors from the Lobamba
lomdzala constituency,” he said.
Fostering
He also said the focus on inclusivity also mirrors Eswatini’s own development
strategy where the country is committed to fostering equal opportunities for
all. “It is in line with our national gender policy and youth employment and
empowerment strategy. The festival has been instrumental in creating jobs,
skills development programmes and entrepreneurship for young people ensuring
that they are equipped for the future. By aligning all this, it is a true
reflection of the positive impacts of public private partnerships,” he said.
The first artist drop from the launch also saw two local artist’s, Khole and
the duo of Young Zesh with Lyrikal Busta in the line-up. The crowd screamed upon
these local acts as they have truly reflected local music and will represent the
country on the mainstage. Their performance will surely broaden their reach as
music lovers get to see Khole on shows like the Divas concert and Young Zesh was
performing on the Luju MasterCard stage the previous year. Their inclusion in
the line-up also shows how the organisers will give attendees a feel of local
music in different genres.
In his speech, the PM also added that the festival does not only play a pivotal
role in attracting tourists to the country, but also creates local economic
opportunities and boosts the creative economy. “In the 18 years of the
festival’s existence, the festival has truly solidified its stature as a
beacon of global recognition by its unwavering commitment to sustainability, a
principle that aligns closely with the vision and priorities of our nation,”
he said.The PM also added that the festival has not only highlighted the
importance of celebrating arts, but has also demonstrated a clear and compelling
commitment to ensuring that an event of its profile is both environmentally and
socially responsible.