The MTN Bushfire Festival, with the support of its title sponsor MTN Eswatini, continues to demonstrate that its impact reaches far beyond the festival stage and creating fun memories. Through its long-standing partnership with Young Heroes, the festival invested E194,355 towards the 2026 school year towards school fees, youth skills development and education support, directly benefiting vulnerable young people and children in Eswatini using funds generated from the 2025 festival.
The funding supports programmes that equip young people with practical skills aimed at improving employability and self-reliance. The initiative primarily targets orphans and vulnerable children, adolescent girls, adolescent boys, and young women.
According to Zwakele Dlamini, Head of Programmes at Young Heroes, the partnership with MTN Bushfire Festival has enabled the organisation to respond to real needs faced by young people at household and community level.
“Last year, through the festival’s support, we assisted 28 children with school fees and 25 vulnerable youth to access the Skills Training and Empowerment Programme (STEP). Of these, 15 were female and 10 male, including three double orphans, 14 single orphans, and eight other vulnerable youth. Participants enrolled in vocational training courses designed to provide hands-on, income-generating skills.”
Courses supported through the programme included carpentry, catering, computer programming, electrical wiring, fashion design, make-up and nails, motor mechanics, air conditioning and refrigeration, plumbing, and welding. A number of handiwork is already ready for sale at Esitjeni Inkhundla by beneficiaries and a catalog can be requested through Nomcebo Dlamini on 76176693. Two other beneficiaries have also graduated in carpentry and electrical wiring, marking early success in the programme’s outcomes.
The CEO of Young Heroes, also present, shared their appreciation and assured that they apply a structured process to ensure support reaches those most in need. Beneficiaries are identified at household level, screened for vulnerability, and guided through applications to vocational institutions based on their interests and suitability. Youth are encouraged to enroll at institutions close to their homes to reduce barriers such as transport and accommodation costs.
Looking ahead to 2026, MTN Bushfire Festival support will prioritise school fees assistance for 60 vulnerable children, particularly orphans and vulnerable children residing in Lobamba Lomdzala who are at risk of dropping out of school. Education support will not only pay for school fees and uniforms, but will also add education progression tracking, and study clubs that promote peer learning and confidence among learners.
..Festival Director Jiggs Thorne noted that the Bushfire model intentionally links culture with community development, ensuring that funds raised through the festival translate into long-term social value.
““From the beginning, MTN Bushfire Festival has always been about more than entertainment, we measure our success not only by the artists on stage or the audience numbers, but by the impact we can make in our communities. Each year, the festival is able to set aside close to half a million emalangeni towards social and development initiatives, and we remain committed to continuing this work in partnership with organisations like Young Heroes.”
MTN Eswatini was also recognised for its continued role in enabling the festival’s social impact work. As title sponsor, MTN’s support has helped strengthen partnerships that deliver tangible benefits to communities across the country. The CEO, Jerry Soko has pledged to do more in order to further increase their impact.
Lobamba Lomdzala Community elder speaking on behalf of Member of Parliament, Marwick Khumalo, who also chairs the festival committee, says as neighboring communities they are beyond words.
“As a community, we have seen first-hand that the festival goes beyond just entertainment, it truly cares. It creates job opportunities during the festival period, helps ensure that our children are able to stay in school, and supports unemployed school leavers to receive skills training so they can earn a living. Through this partnership with Young Heroes, some young people have even been able to showcase and sell their handmade products. As a community, we remain committed to supporting the festival in every way we can, including heightened security training for personnel that will be deployed to further tighten festival security, ensuring tourists and patrons have peace of mind during their stay.”
.
