South African music star Boohle is set to cross the border into Eswatini this September as one of the biggest attractions at the seventh edition of the Mlawula Campfire Festival, adding a major regional flavour to what is shaping up to be one of the kingdom’s most anticipated outdoor entertainment weekends.
The festival will take place from September 25- 27 at Mlawula Nature Reserve, bringing together music, comedy, outdoor adventure, camping and cultural entertainment in the scenic wilderness. The event is organised around the Siphiso campsite and is designed to attract both local and international camping enthusiasts, families, companies and outdoor adventurers.
For many music lovers, however, the biggest talking point is the arrival of Boohle.
The South African singer and songwriter, whose real name is Buhlebevangeli Manyathi, has established herself as one of the recognisable female voices in the contemporary South African music scene. Her music crosses Amapiano, Afro-house and soulful sounds, while collaborations with leading artists and producers have helped build her following across the continent.
Her appearance at Mlawula represents more than simply another international act being added to a festival line-up. It gives Eswatini audiences an opportunity to experience a South African artist who has become closely associated with the emotional, melodic side of the Amapiano movement, this time in a completely different setting.
Instead of a conventional nightclub or arena, Boohle will perform against the backdrop of the Mlawula wilderness, with festivalgoers spending the weekend camping, exploring the reserve and enjoying entertainment around the campfire.
That combination could make her performance one of the festival’s defining moments.
Boohle will headline a packed programme featuring a strong contingent of Eswatini artists and entertainers. The announced line-up includes Bholoja, Linda Dlamini, Young Zesh, Shongwe & Khuphuka Saved Group, The Bishop, The Scientists, Sgitha, Lady Zee, DJ Khuni, DJ MBO, DJ Tempt, Culolam, AyaCity, ITSALLBLAQ, Uncle Karly, Obsession, Bandora and Gifted Kosie, among others. Comedy will also form part of the weekend’s entertainment, with acts including Gogo and S’lwane, Matewu and Cedric.
The diversity of the line-up means Boohle’s appearance will sit within a broader celebration of Southern African music and entertainment rather than overshadowing local talent.
The festival itself is also designed to offer more than music. According to the Eswatini National Trust Commission, activities include hiking, aerobics, team-building exercises, game viewing, bicycle rides, comedy, cultural performances, exhibitions, raffle draws and children’s activities.
This gives the Mlawula Campfire Festival a distinctive identity: part music festival, part camping getaway and part outdoor adventure.
For South African fans, Boohle’s Eswatini appearance also presents an opportunity to make a weekend of it. The festival’s location means visitors can combine live music with the experience of sleeping under the stars and exploring one of Eswatini’s protected natural areas.
With the announcement of Boohle, the seventh edition has suddenly gained another layer of regional appeal. Her presence is expected to attract music lovers from both sides of the border, while the local line-up ensures that the festival remains firmly rooted in Eswatini’s entertainment scene.
Come 25 September, the lights will go down, the campfires will burn and the sounds of South Africa and Eswatini will meet in the wild.
