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Innovator: Smiles Mandla Makama at his home in Msunduza, Mbabane. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

The deep African science of Smiles Makama

The eSwatini maestro who plays the smilerphone is making a comeback after years spent in Amsterdam

Peace and harmony: The hills of Manzini pulsed with the sounds of gqom last weekend

Clash of the cultures: The absolute monarchy and the music festival

The Bushfire festival is one place where Swatis can let their hair down and be themselves, and it is slowly sowing the seeds of change

“That was just a beginning — the list is long. Some people have left the company, but we will be pursuing them and possibly lay charges if it is found that there was criminal intent,” said Popo Molefe. (Gallo)

Playing the Fool at eSwatini Festival

Setumo-Thebe Mohlomi explores the strides the Bushfire Festival has made now that it’s in its twelfth edition

Blazing: Nigeria’s Yemi Alade will perform at the Bushfire festival in Swaziland. Photo: Emmanuel Oyeleke Photography

Alade sets bush festival on fire

Bushfire is just one of the festivals burning up Africa this month

Video

Zolani Mahola on how to stay grounded and fresh

Zolani Mahola talks about ‘Sing-Off SA’, how her band keeps on experimenting and her future plans.

MTN Bushfire Malkerns Valley

Bushfire Festival Competition

MTN Bushfire is Swaziland’s international world music and arts festival, that ignites a collective response for social change.

Arts festivals are going digital to encourage social distancing due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Bushfire 2014: Festival with a conscience

Despite the country’s political issues and a cultural boycott, Swaziland’s Bushfire organisers put on a good show in hopes of promoting social change.

South African trio Bongo Maffin.

?DON’T MISS THIS: MTN Bushfire, Swaziland

Bring Your Fire: MTN Bushfire will feature a host of international artists, including Bongo Maffin, Oliver Mtukudzi, and Imperial Tiger Orchestra.

Tuareg guitarist Alhousseini Ani-volla

Bushfire Festival gets a continental shift

Swaziland is gearing up for its annual Bushfire festival, which boasts an eclectic line-up from all corners of Africa – and beyond.

Different strokes for different festivals: Crowds enjoy the music in the glorious setting of Swaziland’s Bushfire

Getting high on a feast of Southern African festivals

The Harare International Festival of the Arts is otherworldy, the Azgo festival in Maputo is enticingly chaotic and Bushfire in Swaziland rocks.

Preaching poet: Saul Williams in full cry.

Musical mix a trial by Bushfire

Although featuring a chaotic mix of upstarts, greenhorns and veterans, the programme was in tune with the audience.

Goldfish on stage on Friday night. Madelene Cronjé, M&G

Fanning the flames

In front of the Bushfire Festival’s main stage, Shangaan electro-dance act the Tshe-Tsha Boys are breaking it down while the crowd roars with approval

Bushfire Festival boycott called off

Bushfire Festival boycott called off

Swazi democracy campaigners have called off their planned boycott of the Bushfire Festival, due to take place at the end of this month.

Swazi festival boycott call

Swazi festival boycott call

Swazi democracy activists are calling for artists and fans to boycott the country’s world-renowned Bushfire Festival later this month.

Win tickets to Swaziland’s Bushfire Festival

Swaziland’s Bushfire Festival will play host to world-renowned US poet Coleman Barks for a performance of workks by 13th century Sufi poet Rumi.

Bushfire Festival lights up Swaziland

Acoustic Africa, a collaboration between three of Africa’s most successful musicians, wowed the crowd at the recent Bushfire Festival in Swaziland.