MTN BUSHFIRE

16/06/2026

Reflecting on an inspiring two days at the 3rd edition of the Fórum Cultural e Criativo, where our director Jiggs Thorne joined the conversation🔥🌍.

Bringing together artists, cultural managers, and industry leaders at the Centro Cultural Franco-Moçambicano, the forum proved that the future of Africa's creative economy lies in collaboration.

The conversations went beyond funding, with masterclasses and networking sessions shaping new blueprints for public-private partnerships and resource sharing. Panellists explored pathways for creative products to reach regional and international stages, and major milestones were unpacked, including Maputo's candidacy for the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and new regional import and export guides.

By bridging local talent, government, and global networks, this year's forum delivered real, actionable steps for sustainable growth and cross-border circulation.

A massive thank you to all the speakers, visionaries, and partners who made this edition a resounding success!

Let's keep building 🇸🇿 🇲🇿.

15/06/2026

Views from the flame that started it all at The Juncture of Hum 🔥

Some moments deserve to be remembered. Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini set the tone for MTN Bushfire 2026 by lighting the first flame on Day One, a gesture that signalled a weekend of art, creativity and unity was well and truly underway.

Alongside Acting MTN Eswatini CEO Jerry Soko and MoMo from MTN SZ Sam Shongwe, His Excellency walked the festival grounds, soaking in the energy of Eswatini's vibrant cultural heartbeat.

The walkabout led to a candid conversation on the Fireworks Podcast, where His Excellency unpacked what it truly means to Bring Your Fire and shared the government's vision for championing and growing the arts in Eswatini.



📸: Bram Lammers

12/06/2026

The conversations may have ended, but the ideas are still echoing.

A look back at the MTN Bushfire 2026 Arts Round Table, where artists, industry leaders and creative changemakers came together to explore the future of African creativity. From navigating AI and prioritising mental wellbeing, to strengthening independent careers and unlocking cross-continental opportunities, every session was rooted in growth, connection and possibility.

In partnership with the Africa Rising Music Conference, the Arts Round Table continued its mission of fostering meaningful exchange, professional development and stronger pathways for creative mobility across the continent.

More than a gathering, it was a meeting point for bold ideas, shared learning and the collaborations shaping tomorrow's creative landscape.

11/06/2026

𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀 | 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟯 𝗔𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗧𝗡 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗢𝗳 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗧𝗡 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗟𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀

Sunday saved some of its finest moments for last. From powerful closing performances and raw crowd energy to the quiet connections that only the final day of a festival can hold, Day 3 brought the 19th edition of MTN Bushfire to a close in the most memorable of ways.

Swipe through and soak in the moments that remind us why we gather, why we move and why we always answer the call to .

Because when it's all said and done, this is what it looks like when we all stay true to the mandate 🔥.

10/06/2026

10/06/2026

𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀 | 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮 𝗔𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗧𝗡 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗢𝗳 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗧𝗡 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗟𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀

Saturday turned the heat all the way up. From blazing performances and electric crowd moments to connections forged in rhythm and movement, Day 2 delivered everything the promised and then some.

Relive the energy, the magic and the memories that made Saturday at MTN Bushfire 2026 a day to remember.

Swipe through and revisit the moments that reminded us what happens when we all stay true to the call to .

05/06/2026

In honour of , we're reflecting on how we continue to stay true to fostering and nurturing the mandate.

This year, the Earth is sending us urgent signals, and at , we chose to send one back. Under the global theme of , and carried on the frequency of this year's festival theme, Juncture of Hum, we're proud to showcase proof of our commitment to sustainable festival practices. At the juncture of creativity, people, and planet, every action resonated. From compostable packaging to waste separation at source with our three-bin system, and the unwavering dedication of our Green Team and recycling stations, every effort was a signal, and every signal counted.

And let's not forget our vibrant Green Superheroes, humming their own tune of hope and inspiring us all to protect the planet while keeping the fire alive!

The climate isn't waiting, neither are we.

At the juncture of art and action, culture and conscience, together, we are igniting flames for change 🔥🌍.

05/06/2026

🔥E𝗨 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 🔥

What happens when hundreds of young minds gather with creativity, courage and a vision for a better tomorrow? You get a vibrant tapestry of rhythm, colour, movement, imagination and ideas that refuse to stand still.

From marimba melodies and marching bands to spoken word, drama, dance, visual arts, open-mic moments and conversations on sustainability, the EU Bushfire Schools Festival 2026 transformed House on Fire into a living canvas of possibility.

Under the theme Art in Action | Future in the Making, over 600 young Fire Starters reminded us that art is more than expression; it is a catalyst for change, a tool for connection and a spark for the future.

As the echoes of drums fade and the paint dries, what remains are the memories, friendships, lessons, and inspiration carried home by the next generation of artists, leaders, innovators and dreamers.

Because the future isn't waiting; it's already bringing its fire❤️‍🔥.



🎥: Makhulu

04/06/2026

The MTN Bushfire 2026 festival cash-out service is now live. Head on to Howler 🔗: www.howler.co.za and log into your account (or sign up for one) to get started. You have 30 days from today to perform your cash-out, as well as the option to donate your funds.

Tip: You can also sign up for Auto-Cashout and never worry about having to cash out ever again.

04/06/2026

𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗧𝗡 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗢𝗳 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗧𝗡 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗟𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 📸✨

The stages may have fallen silent, but the echoes remain. From unforgettable homecomings and boundary-pushing collaborations to moments of joy, reflection, movement and connection, these are some of the scenes that shaped the 19th edition of MTN Bushfire at the .

Relive the performances, the energy, and the magic that brought thousands together in a shared rhythm of creativity, expression and belonging.

Swipe through and revisit the moments that reminded us what happens when we all stay true to the call to .