MBABANE – The upcoming Lubombo Fest will take place at the Polar Rest and Bar on July 25, 2026, building up for the National Arts and Culture Awards (NACAs).
This announcement was made during the launch event hosted at the venue yesterday. MC Thando Ntshangase directed the programme launch, where organisers were welcomed by seasoned events coordinator Banele Dlamini. Dlamini, who serves as Secretary of the Eswatini Events Management and Promoters Association (EEMPA), praised the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) for supporting the festival.
He emphasised that local event organisers actively contribute to the country’s economy. “We are pleased to see the Lubombo Fest grow. We are thankful to ENCAC for backing this event. The organisers are local businesspeople who help stimulate the economy,” Dlamini stated.
Lubombo Festival Director Nhlanhla Matsebula echoed these sentiments, commending ENCAC for its invaluable backing.
He noted that the festival serves as a vital platform for homegrown talent. “I am grateful to the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture for their backing of this festival. Several artists from Siteki, including Bandora and As 4 JerryP, have been brought up through this event. We must work together to uncover more talent alongside ENCAC. I promise that this year’s festival will be an exciting build-up for next year’s edition,” said Matsebula.
ENCAC Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Dlamini, praised the festival director for his clear vision, noting that the council thrives on supporting ambitious local initiatives. “Our role at ENCAC is to support such dreams. Our main challenge is that while we cannot always provide funding, we do support those with vision. Once people stop dreaming, our council becomes inactive. So, I urge everyone to continue dreaming big. We also thank Polar Rest and Bar for hosting this festival,” Dlamini remarked. He further encouraged the owners of Polar Rest and Bar to consider investing in accommodation facilities to drive development and attract more visitors to the region.
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