MTN Bushfire Festival 2024 Review: A Firestorm of Culture and Connection
Stepping into an experience with a touch of cynicism and a hint of worry about being out in the bushes for three days—four if you were me—sets the stage for potential surprises. Speaking at the incredible MTN Arts Round Table, which kickstarted this unforgettable journey, I found myself immersed in the most mind-opening moment of my late 20s. After this weekend, it’s clear that Jiggs and his team have outdone themselves. The MTN Bushfire truly embodied the 2024 theme, ‘Bring Your Fire,’ delivering an inferno of culture and creativity. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a cultural event live up to and exceed its own ethos, yet here we are at the 17th edition, awestruck and inspired.
The Journey and Arrival
Our adventure began with a road trip from Johannesburg to Eswatini in a sleek Mercedes van, a journey that set the tone for the incredible experiences to come. Arriving at the Harambee Hotel, we set up camp and prepared ourselves for the festivities. The festival was massive, sprawling across various stages and sound setups, accommodating over 20,000 people.
Unforgettable Performances and Culinary Delights
The atmosphere was electric, charged with youthful energy and the promise of discovery. Ballantines presented an array of acts from across Africa, with new talents like Albi X and Rita Kamale delivering life-changing performances to a captivated audience. The venues included the Main MTN Bushfire stage, Heineken Stage, Amphitheatre Stage, Ballantines Stage, and the Jagermeister activation space with memorable performances by African stars such as Musa Keys, Daliwonga and Virgo Deep amongst many others.
The vendors at the market offered a tantalizing array of food, from Chinese cuisine to sushi and classic festival treats. The diversity and quality of the food mirrored the eclectic mix of music and art that filled the air. Every bite was a new adventure, and every performance a fresh discovery.
A Journey Begun with the MTN Bushfire Arts Round Table
Our adventure began with the MTN Bushfire Arts Round Table, a series of industry expert-led workshops that take place annually on the Friday of the Bushfire weekend. This initiative is a cornerstone of MTN Bushfire’s arts development programs, grounded in the festival’s call to action for positive social and environmental change: Bring Your Fire. These ART workshops bridge aspiring multi-disciplined artists with seasoned festival performers, facilitating discussions on professionalization and development in the arts. Over the years, more than 1,000 artists have benefited from these workshops.
In 2022, MTN Bushfire partnered with the Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC), forging a three-year collaboration recognized as one of Africa’s leading efforts to build connections between the African and European music markets. This partnership aims to link Eswatini and Africa to the world by hosting international delegates through panel discussions, workshops, and musical showcases.
Celebrating Unmatched Experiences and Connections
The ARMC and Bushfire teams are composed of amazing individuals dedicated to fostering a vibrant cultural exchange. This past week has been an extraordinary experience, one I couldn’t find anywhere else in the world. I’ve met incredible people and can’t wait to act on these new connections.
The MTN Bushfire Festival 2024 was a whirlwind of inspiration, creativity, and connection. It stood as a testament to the power of bringing your fire—embracing change, celebrating culture, and fostering unity. Here’s to many more years of culture-shifting experiences and the boundless possibilities they bring.
The raw energy, the incredible performances, and the diverse culinary delights were too much to fit into words, but they are experiences all MTN Bushfire delegates will carry with always. Stay tuned, stay inspired, and always bring your fire.
About Post Author
