“In a world where teenagers in West Africa and Eastern Europe can share videos and mp3s on youtube, a Sri Lankan urbanite is transformed by hip-hop and an American deejay re-mixes sounds out of a Brazilian favela, it is undeniable that the completely interconnected global village has arrived.” – Les Nubians
Backlit by fiery mountain sunsets across acres of pristine farmland, MTN BUSHFIRE is Swaziland’s internationally acclaimed three day music & arts festival that celebrates creative expression whilst promoting social responsibility, stimulating the economy, and drawing talent and tourists from across Africa and around the world.
Founded in 2007, MTN BUSHFIRE has a well-deserved reputation for its’ visionary approach, integrity and “Call to Action” mandate which defines its commitment to nurturing the Swazi arts and cultural scene, whilst raising awareness and funds to tackle the nation’s most pressing social needs. Donating 100% of its profits to orphans through the Swazi NGO Young Heroes (www.youngheroes.org.sz), and 100% of merchandise proceeds to the non-profit rural community development project Gone Rural boMake (www.goneruralbomake.org), MTN BUSHFIRE serves, in the words of one journalist, “as a living, breathing, creative ecosystem.”
MTN BUSHFIRE calls on the community to “Bring their Fire” to the Festival and into their daily lives, igniting a collective response for positive change. ‘Bring your Fire’ celebrates the human spirit, the light in all of us, to become more conscious and active participants in creating a better world.
It is this distinctive fusion of inspired multi-dimensional creativity, demographically diverse audience, socially-accountable philosophy, and magical setting that creates and sustains MTN BUSHFIRE’s harmonious energy and sets it apart from all other festivals.
The dates for MTN BUSHFIRE 2015: May 29th – 31st 2015, as well as the opening of early bird ticket sales and accommodation packages.
MTN BUSHFIRE 2015 promises 3 days of music, art, personal expression and social activism that celebrates creative expression whilst promoting social responsibility, stimulating the economy and drawing talent and tourists from across Africa and around the world.
Each year a multi-generational global community of more than 20,000 “BRING THEIR FIRE” to the scenic farmlands of the Malkerns Valley to experience this unique event renowned for eclectic and multi-dimensional programming rooted in world music and including a compelling line-up of theatre, poetry, dance, art exhibits & installations, story-telling, puppetry, film, and themed workshops.
A vibrant handcraft market, family-friendly performances & KidZone as well as the recently introduced interactive art and dialogue space, The Barn, all combine to create a magically eclectic entertainment experience.
MTN BUSHFIRE is also the one of the only festivals that donates a majority of its profits to charity, and serves, in the words of one journalist, “as a living, breathing, creative ecosystem.”
A music band performing at the last edition of the MTN BushFire Festival in Swaziland.
“Africa is our past, present and future,” Les Nubians asserts. This [album]is about accepting and rejoicing through our body and mind that Africa is vibrant and 10,000,000 times ALIVE! Africa FOR the future also to say that we have to prepare the future of the continent. It’s in the NOW that we create the future. ACTION time is NOW!!!” Les Nubians”
THE FIREFEST ROUTE – AN AFRICAN FESTIVAL TOUR CIRCUIT
The FIREFEST ROUTE is a tour-route that includes six arts & music festivals that all take place within 2 weeks of MTN BUSHFIRE, during May and June. 2015 All these Southern African festivals also take place within reasonable traveling distance from each other – making the FIREFEST ROUTE a unique first in terms of cultural tourism in Southern Africa.
Pioneered by MTN BUSHFIRE, the FIREFEST ROUTE provides locals and tourists alike a truly memorable and unparalleled opportunity to explore the region, following a route based on music, culture and the arts, as they travel from festival to festival.
The FIREFEST ROUTE includes the Harare International Festival of Arts (HIFA), AZGO, Fireball, Africa Day, MTN BUSHFIRE, and SAKIFO MUSIK.
HIFA: April 27th – 3 May 2015, Harare Zimbabwe
AZGO: 22nd – 23rd May, Maputo Mozambique
Africa Day: 23rd May, Johannesburg South Africa
Fireball: 29th May, Cape Town South Africa
Bushfire: 29th – 31st May, Swaziland
Sakifo: 5th- 7th June, Reunion Island
Zakifo:12th -14th June, Durban
LES NUBIANS’ AFROPEAN REVOLUTION: THE SOUND OF A MULTICULTURAL NEW WORLD
MTN BUSHFIRE 2015 announced LES NUBIANS as the first headline artist for the 2015 event.
The event best known for its eclectic and diverse music line-up is very excited to be able to host LES NUBIANS, thee Paris based Grammy Nominated artists that have become synonymous with a unique Afro/European neo-soul sound and style.
As one of the world’s most successful French language groups, LES NUBIANS’ newest album, NU REVOLUTION, perfectly sums up their Pan-African approach and ethos:
“Africa is our past, present and future,” Les Nubians asserts. This [album]is about accepting and rejoicing through our body and mind that Africa is vibrant and 10,000,000 times ALIVE! Africa FOR the future also to say that we have to prepare the future of the continent. It’s in the NOW that we create the future. ACTION time is NOW!!!” Les Nubians
TRAVEL TIPS
Border crossing: All of Swaziland’s border posts are open seven days a week. Check here for border post hours of operation:
http://www.thekingdomofswaziland.com/pages/content/index.asp?Pageid=22
If you are using the Oshoek border post it is highly recommended to plan to leave Thursday or early Friday as the border post has seen extremely long queues Friday afternoon and evening in previous years.
Immigration: You will need a valid passport to enter Swaziland. You may also require an entry visa. Please check with your Embassy or the Swaziland Tourism Authority website for visa requirements.
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