Mozambique stands out at the 19th Edition of MTN Bushfire

The 19th edition of the MTN Bushfire Festival, held in eSwatini, reaffirmed itself as one of the most important cultural events on the African continent, with significant Mozambican participation this year, both in terms of audience and artistic, business, gastronomic and media representation.

Hundreds of Mozambicans crossed the border to experience the festival, contributing to one of the event's largest international presences. Amidst music, art, fashion, gastronomy, and cultural exchange, Mozambique made its presence felt strongly throughout the three days of the festival.

Even before the official opening of the stages, the country was already standing out in spaces for reflection and debate. One of the most impactful moments was the Arts Round Table x ARMC, a round table dedicated to discussing the role of incubators for cultural and creative industries in the development of the African arts sector.

The session brought together prominent figures, including Jess White from Axum Agency, Jiggs Thorne, Director-General of MTN Bushfire, Paulo Chibanga, Director-General of XHUB – Incubator of Cultural and Creative Businesses, Buhle Hlatshwayo from Altblx Continua, South Africa, and José Maria Queiroz, Cultural Attaché of the French Embassy in Mozambique and eSwatini and Director of the Franco-Mozambican Cultural Center. The debate addressed challenges, opportunities, and models for strengthening African creative ecosystems, highlighting the role of incubators in the professionalization and sustainability of artistic careers.

On stage, Mozambican artists showcased the richness and diversity of the national cultural heritage. Radjha Ally captivated the audience with her unique voice and dance, coupled with a repertoire that blends tradition and contemporary sounds. The Hood Brodz brought the contagious energy of Mozambican Afro-house to Bushfire, winning over the audience with a vibrant and engaging performance.

Another highlight was the international debut of the SMP Evolution project, led by Stélio Mondlane, which presented an innovative musical proposal, exploring new sounds and artistic languages ​​that reflect the evolution of contemporary Mozambican music.

The Mozambican presence gained even greater prominence with the presentation of two projects of great cultural relevance. The Damas do Planalto Group brought to the stage the rhythms, dances, and narratives of Makonde culture, offering the audience a journey through the traditions of northern Mozambique. The performance was widely applauded for its authenticity and ability to preserve and promote Mozambican cultural heritage.

In turn, the KaTembe Connexion Music Project stood out as one of the most emblematic examples of regional artistic cooperation. The project brings together musicians and creatives from Mozambique and eSwatini in a fusion of rhythms, languages ​​and cultural experiences, symbolizing the union between the two countries through music and art, and is the result of an artistic residency held at KaTembe.

Mozambican fashion was also represented in the exhibition and cultural entrepreneurship space through the brand Xigubo by King Levi, which was part of the MTN Bushfire 2026 exhibitors group. The brand presented several collections to the international public, including its most recent one, launched this year during Fancy Summer.

According to the brand representative, the pieces presented tell their own stories and reflect Xigubo's creative identity. The public also had the opportunity to see the Xigubo collection, launched in Brazil last year and subsequently presented at the 2025 edition of the Luju Festival, held at the same venue that hosts MTN Bushfire.

In the gastronomic area, Mozambique also made its presence felt through national entrepreneurs who provided visitors with a unique experience of Mozambican cuisine. Among the dishes presented, highlights included Zambezian-style chicken, Matapa, and other traditional specialties that sparked curiosity and won over the palates of many international visitors.

The festival offered diverse experiences, taking place simultaneously on four different stages, in visual arts spaces, areas dedicated to children during the day, and a vast camping area that welcomed thousands of participants from different parts of the world. This edition was also marked by the announcement of a complete sell-out of tickets, confirming the growing prestige and international scope of the event.

Another noteworthy aspect was the growing interest of the Mozambican press in covering the festival. In this edition, several national journalists were selected by the organization to ensure comprehensive coverage of the event, notably Gil Gune (Preto e Branco), David Bamo (TVM), Bernícia Cotela (Rádio Moçambique), Ernesto Mabjaia and Daniel Matlhombe (Moz Entertainment), as well as Izidro Dimande (Jornal Arte & Cultura).

Mozambique's strong participation in the 19th edition of MTN Bushfire confirms the growing prominence of its artists and cultural agents in international circuits, including artistic mobility platforms such as IGODA, reinforcing the importance of cultural exchanges in promoting diversity and African cooperation.

More than just a presence at a festival, Mozambique's participation represented a celebration of the country's cultural identity, demonstrating to an international audience the vitality, creativity, and richness of national artistic expressions.

Looking to the future, the Director-General of MTN Bushfire, Jiggs Thorne, announced that the next edition of the festival will take place on May 28, 29 and 30, 2027, the year in which the event will celebrate its 20th anniversary. According to the director, the celebrations promise to be memorable and large-scale, marking two decades of one of Africa's most important cultural festivals.