After weeks of stiff competition and knockouts, This year’s MTN Bushfire Firefly Grand Finale comes with more than just a win. Taking place on 24 April at House On Fire, the competition will award its Top 3 finalists of the 10 competitors, with full tuition scholarships, adding real career support to the spotlight moment.
Now in its 9th edition, MTN Bushfire Firefly has grown from a simple talent search into what organisers describe as a launchpad for the country’s next wave of artists. The Grand Finale will see the Top 10 contestants from the Young.Gifted.Free. programme perform live, competing for a place in the final Top 3. Winners will be selected through a combination of public voting and adjudication from industry experts, with voting opening on the night.
“We’re just days away from sparking the newest flames ready to set Eswatini’s music industry ablaze,” said Phiwo Dlamini, Communications Manager for the festival through an official Press release statement issued.
Event details
Taking to the stage as the 2026 Guest Artist is South African chart-topping rapper, singer,songwriter and record producer, Blxckie, alongside local artists, Bandora, a dj and Chantel, in a memorable, high-energy atmosphere.
MTN Bushfire Firefly Grand Finale Tickets are available for E150 via MoMo WhatsApp Marketplace. To purchase tickets, simply WhatsApp “Hi” to 7808 4000 (“MoMoMarketplace”) and follow the prompts. It’s quick, easy and convenient! Tickets will also be available at the door for E200.
To ensure seamless travel to and from The Grand Finale, MTN Bushfire Firefly’s official Park n ride shuttle will be available from pick-up points at Mbabane, Ezulwini, Mahhala and Manzini at a price of E40 per trip with hourly trips from 6PM. This service is made available to encourage safe, responsible travel to and from the event, ease traffic congestion, and align with MTN Bushfire’s environmental sustainability practices.
Big wins ahead
While a performance slot at the main MTN Bushfire Festival remains a major prize, taking place from 29 to 31 May, the introduction of structured educational support signals a deeper investment in the future of local creatives.
“This is more than a competition. It’s a movement shaping the future of Eswatini’s music industry,” Dlamini said.
This award comes as a result of a new partnership with Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. Through this collaboration, each of the Top 3 winners will receive a full tuition scholarship toward a Bachelor’s or Associate Degree at the university’s Eswatini campus, with options to study in Lesotho or Botswana.
The scholarship offering gives artists access to formal education in any fields of their choice, something that has not previously been part of the Firefly prize structure. It also reflects a broader effort to move beyond once-off exposure and instead build sustainable careers within the creative economy.
“This year, the competition is excited to unveil an uplifting ecosystem of partners dedicated to elevating raw talent into arts industry professionals with sustainable creative careers,”
More rewards
Beyond the scholarships, winners will benefit from additional career-building opportunities. Each of the Top 3 finalists will receive a professionally recorded single, ensuring they leave the competition with tangible work to support their growth in the industry.
Creative partner Kingdom XLR will also provide mentorship after the competition, focusing on artist development and professional readiness. This support aims to help winners maintain momentum long after the Grand Finale stage.
For the broader group of finalists, opportunities extend beyond the Top 3. The Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture will provide studio time to the Top 10 contestants, while also producing a live podcast at the event to document their journeys and amplify their voices.
In addition, Retina Photography will award one standout artist from the hyper yuii to finalists a fully produced professional music video, with the winner to be announced on the night of the Grand Finale.
The Grand Finale follows a series of nationwide activations held in Siteki, Nhlangano, Manzini and Mbabane. These sessions gave aspiring artists a platform to perform and engage through open mic experiences, ultimately leading to the selection of the Top 10 finalists.
As anticipation builds, the 2026 Firefly Grand Finale stands out not only for its performances, but for redefining what success looks like for young artists.
