The Phakama Mpumalanga Festival is positioning its fourth edition as a cross-border cultural and business opportunity for Emaswati, inviting audiences, creatives and businesses from Eswatini to experience, participate in and contribute to the two-day celebration in Mpumalanga.
Taking place from October 31 to November 1, the festival is looking beyond entertainment by creating opportunities for stronger connections between Eswatini and Mpumalanga through music, fashion, food, art, tourism and entrepreneurship.
Phakama Mpumalanga Festival Co-Founder Hlengwa Manzini said Emaswati are an important part of the festival’s regional vision, given the longstanding relationship between the two neighbouring markets.
“There is already a strong connection between Eswatini and Mpumalanga, and Phakama is an opportunity to deepen that relationship through culture and the arts,” said Manzini.
He also encouraged Emaswati to cross the border not only as festival-goers, but also as participants in the broader creative and commercial ecosystem surrounding the event.
Manzini said the festival welcomes exhibitors and businesses from Eswatini, presenting an opportunity for local brands to showcase their products and services to audiences in Mpumalanga while establishing new commercial relationships.
“We also welcome exhibitors and businesses from Eswatini to participate in the festival. We see this as an opportunity for both sides to showcase what they have to offer and create new commercial and creative relationships,” he said.
The inclusion of Eswatini forms part of Phakama’s wider ambition to use culture as a bridge between communities and markets. The festival has previously engaged with major Eswatini platforms, including MTN Bushfire and the Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival, experiences Manzini said had demonstrated the value of regional cultural exchange.
For Emaswati considering attending, the organisers are encouraging visitors to make the festival part of a wider weekend experience in Mpumalanga.
“I would simply say, make a weekend of it,” said Manzini.
With the festival running across two days, visitors can combine their Phakama experience with Mpumalanga’s tourism, food and lifestyle offerings. Camping will also be available for those who want to remain within the festival environment for the duration of the event.
Tickets are available through Computicket, Howler and Moja Tickets, with festival organisers providing information through their platforms to assist visitors with planning their trip.
However, the organisers’ invitation to Eswatini goes beyond tourism and entertainment.
Manzini said Phakama is seeking to create a platform where artists, entrepreneurs and businesses from both countries can meet, collaborate and access new markets.
“For us, the bigger opportunity is regional collaboration,” he said.
“We don’t want Phakama to simply bring audiences together. We want it to bring artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and businesses together so that they can build relationships, exchange ideas and access new markets.”
The vision is also expanding beyond the two countries, with organisers exploring how the Triland MOU between Eswatini, South Africa and Mozambique can support greater cooperation in culture, tourism and the creative economy.
“There is enormous talent across these three markets. Phakama can provide a platform for that talent to connect,” Manzini said.
For Emaswati, the festival therefore offers an opportunity to be more than spectators. From attending the festival and exploring Mpumalanga to exhibiting products, promoting businesses and collaborating with creatives, Phakama is opening its platform to greater participation from across the border.
“If an artist can find a new audience, a business can find a new customer, or two creatives can meet and create something together because of Phakama, then the festival has achieved something beyond entertainment,” Manzini said.
As Phakama prepares for its fourth edition under the theme “Khanyisa, Be the Light,” its message to Emaswati is clear, the festival is not simply inviting them across the border to watch, it is inviting them to participate, connect and create opportunities.
“We want culture to be the starting point for stronger regional relationships and economic opportunities,” Manzini said.
