MBABANE – Organisers of the Makoti Festival have extended the event’s promotional footprint into South Africa, hosting their first annual media launch in Nelspruit at the Southern Sun Hotel.
The expansion marks a strategic move for the festival, which is traditionally held in Eswatini. The launch event served to detail the logistics, collaborations and incentives surrounding the upcoming celebration. The festival further conducted another launch yesterday in Mozambique.
The festival is scheduled for May 2, 2026, at the Malkerns Country Club. This represents a departure from its historical April timeframe. During the launch of the National Events Calendar, Nomathemba Xaba, an Executive member of the Makoti Festival, revealed the reason behind the shift, stating that this year’s festival linked to the King’s Birthday date. For the current edition, organisers have designated traditional attire as the central theme, encouraging cultural expression among attendees.
Thembinkhosi Mthethwa, speaking during the media launch, stated that the Makoti Festival aims to connect with different ‘Makotis’ across the continent and highlights the beauty of tapping into each other’s cultures. “We are thrilled to bring the Makoti Festival to a wider audience and to have artists from Mpumalanga performing at the main event,” he said.
The press release provided a comprehensive overview of the festival’s programme, including a diverse range of musical genres, cultural performances and interactive activities planned for the main event. Xaba explained the proceedings leading up to the main event, saying: “On Friday, we slaughter a cow that is normally eaten by the people working in the ground during the busy day on Friday and this year possibly we might slaughter two cows,” he said.
Focusing
Thandeka Msibi, also a Makoti Festival Executive Member, explained what the festival celebrates, stating that the Makoti Festival was established to promote Eswatini culture, specifically focusing on the roles of women within the family and community. She highlighted the importance of Makotis in everyday life.
The media launch attracted personnel from Rise Mpumalanga Talent, Soweton and other media outlets. Among the attendees was Deliwe Nyathi Makofane, Miss Cultural Tourism South Africa, who mentioned that she will be part of the Makoti Festival main day. Attendees questioned the committee about accommodation options near the event venue in Eswatini. Last year, the festival held its media activation on March 13, in Mbombela, at the Botanical Gardens Restaurant.
A significant highlight of this year’s festival is a partnership with Orchard Insurance. The company has committed E100 000 towards a special raffle draw for ticket holders.
Raffle Prize Structure:
First place: E50 000
Second place: E30 000
Third place: E20 000
*Full article available on Pressreader*
