Applications are now open for the 2026 Standard Bank Luju Food and Fashion Indabas, two flagship knowledge-sharing platforms that bring together the thinkers, makers and innovators shaping the future of Africa’s food and fashion industries.
Taking place on Friday, July 31 2026, at the iconic House on Fire Amphitheatre in the Malkerns Valley, the Indabas invite entrepreneurs, creatives, industry professionals and emerging talent to engage with leading voices from Eswatini and across Southern Africa through a dynamic programme of panel discussions, masterclasses, capacity-building workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions.
Held on the eve of the festival, the Indabas are central to the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Africa’s creative economy by empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), fostering collaboration and creating meaningful opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable industry growth.
The eighth edition of the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival will take place from August 1–2, 2026 under the festival ethos, ‘A Return to the African Future’. Beyond the festival weekend, Luju consciously invests in developing the region’s creative economy through mentorship, industry engagement, entrepreneurship and the celebration of African heritage, creativity and innovation.
Running from 1pm to 5pm on July 31, 2026, the Food Indaba invites chefs, restaurateurs, farmers, producers, food entrepreneurs, hospitality professionals, retailers, distributors, researchers, educators, regulators, health practitioners and food enthusiasts to engage in conversations shaping the future of African food systems.
At the heart of this year’s culinary programme is Nguni Foodways, a powerful exploration of the people, places, practices and flavours that connect Nguni communities across Southern Africa. More than a celebration of cuisine, the theme reflects the enduring relationship between land, livestock, culture and identity, recognising food as both nourishment and cultural memory. Through contemporary culinary interpretation and indigenous knowledge, this year’s programme honours the traditions that continue to shape Africa’s evolving food landscape.
As part of the Food Indaba, participants will engage in thought-provoking conversations exploring the cultural, ecological and economic significance of indigenous Nguni breeds. Together, these discussions reinforce the inseparable connection between land, food, livestock, heritage and sustainability, inviting participants to explore the living traditions shaping Africa’s culinary future.
Taking place from 9am to 1pm on July 31 2026, the Fashion Indaba welcomes applications from fashion designers, creative entrepreneurs, manufacturers, retailers, consultants, educators, financial institutions, government agencies, NGOs and professionals committed to advancing Eswatini’s growing fashion industry.
Inspired by this year’s fashion theme, Kwasukasukela (Once Upon A Time), the programme celebrates African storytelling as a powerful source of creative inspiration. Meaning “Once Upon a Time” in siSwati, Kwasukasukela is a nostalgic invitation to revisit the stories, symbols, and traditions that have shaped African identity across generations. In resonance with “A Return to the African Future”, the theme remembers the past as a living archive of style and meaning sourced from narratives of trailblazing figures, the animals that sustain us, the landscapes that inspire us, and the lessons that have travelled through generations by word of mouth.
The Fashion Indaba will explore the opportunities and challenges facing Africa’s fashion sector through a series of insightful discussions designed to empower emerging brands and strengthen the broader creative ecosystem. Conversations including Beyond the Runway: Building an Existing Fashion Ecosystem in Africa, Creativity Is Not Enough: The Business of Building a Fashion Brand, and Weaving the Future: Indigenous Knowledge, Sustainability & the Future Logic of African Fashion will examine the structural realities facing MSMEs while exploring innovation, sustainability, and collaboration as essential drivers of long-term industry growth.
Applications for both the Food and Fashion Indabas are now open. Interested participants are encouraged to complete the online application forms available via www.lujufestival.com. Early applications are encouraged as spaces are limited.
