Festival organiser Nelson Matsebula of Ludzeludze, Manzini, says the response to the inaugural Eswatini Kota Festival has exceeded expectations, with strong ticket sales signalling growing excitement around the Kasi food and lifestyle experience.
“The response from Eswatini has been absolutely incredible. Our Early Bird tickets sold out in just three weeks after we dropped the official line-up, and Phase one is already over 50per cent sold out, with still two full months to go before the festival,” Matsebula said.
The Eswatini Kota Festival is scheduled for October 24, at Malkerns Country Club, bringing to the Kingdom a concept that has already gained popularity across Southern Africa.
Famously known as Jozi Kota Festival, Kota Festival originated as a Kasi food lifestyle event in Newtown Junction, Johannesburg, before expanding beyond South Africa into Lesotho and Eswatini.
The festival celebrates the Kota, a popular South African street-food creation, while combining food, music, entertainment, family activities and entrepreneurship.
Matsebula said the Eswatini edition is intended to be more than a food festival, describing it as a platform for celebrating culture, identity and community.
“Kota Festival is a vibrant event that provides a platform for Kota lovers to come together and immerse themselves in the local Kota culture, while enjoying a diverse line-up of entertainment,” he said.
The festival will also create opportunities for local businesses and entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products and services, positioning the event as a contributor to local economic activity.
A key feature of the Eswatini edition will be its family-oriented approach. The organiser said they have designed the line-up and festival experience to appeal to different generations, ensuring that young people, parents and older music lovers can enjoy the event together.
According to Matsebula, the music programme will bring together contemporary sounds, amapiano, hip-hop, Afro-pop, Afro-soul and other popular Southern African genres, featuring both local and international artists.
“The philosophy is simple: there is something for everyone at Eswatini Kota Festival, young, old, families and music lovers of all tastes,” the organisers said.
Beyond entertainment, the festival will feature a dedicated children’s section with games, art and other activities, reinforcing its positioning as a family-friendly lifestyle event.For Matsebula, the growing demand for tickets demonstrates that the festival has already struck a chord with the Eswatini market.
“This is more than just ticket sales, this is a powerful welcome for Eswatini Kota Festival. The support, excitement and love from the people of Eswatini and beyond has been unbelievable,” he said.
