Malkerns – Standard Bank Eswatini has announced that the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival experience will extend beyond the country’s borders this year, with a launch event set to be hosted in Mozambique.
Speaking at the festival launch, Standard Bank Eswatini Chief Executive Mvuselelo Fakudze said the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival had grown into a continental drawcard since its inception.
“Since this is its inception, the Luju Festival has evolved into one of Southern Africa’s most compelling cultural experiences. The festival has firmly cemented its status as a leading platform for food, fashion, and the arts, drawing thousands from 25 countries, as we’ve had here tonight,” Fakudze said. 
The bank said it would use its continental network to grow the festival’s reach and open doors for creatives, entrepreneurs and small businesses. “As the largest bank in Africa, with a footprint spanning more than 21 countries across the continent, Standard Bank Group is uniquely positioned to connect people with endless possibilities across the continent,” Fakudze said.
The Mozambique leg will be hosted at the Standard Bank Mozambique Incubation Hub, an innovation and entrepreneurship platform which the bank described as reflecting a shared vision of unlocking Africa’s growth and empowering the next generation of creatives and business leaders.
“Through collaboration with our sister banks across the SADC region and beyond, we are committed to driving greater regional integration and expose local talent to new audiences, partnerships, and opportunities,” Fakudze said.
The Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival is also recognised as a premium sponsorship property across the Standard Bank Group, with Fakudze noting that its growth was the result of purposeful partnerships, visionary creativity and a deep commitment to empowering local talent.
The launch also served as a platform for the bank’s newly unveiled brand campaign, Phokophela Sinawe, which means keep pushing, we are with you.
“This campaign is more than a marketing message. It is a reaffirmation of our commitment to walk alongside emaSwati as they pursue their ambitions, overcome challenges, and build brighter futures. We believe that real progress is achieved when we grow together with the communities we serve,” Fakudze said.
The campaign covers youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and community investment. The bank has also launched the transactional phase of the campaign, built on the pillars Tsenga, Thumela and Swipa, through which customers automatically earn entries for weekly, monthly and grand prizes when they transact.
Fakudze said the rewards drive was designed to make banking simple, accessible and rewarding, while encouraging greater adoption of digital financial services that support convenience and inclusion for emaSwati across the country.
