Mbabane backs theatre festival

MBABANE — The Mbabane Municipal Council has thrown its weight behind the October International Theatre Festival (OITF), saying the event is central to the city’s push to become a vibrant 24-hour living city where culture keeps the economy awake after traditional business hours.

Municipal Council CEO Gciniwe Fakudze made the remarks at the official launch of the festival held at the Eswatini Theatre Club, where she welcomed artists, directors, writers and cultural practitioners from across Africa who will take part in the three-day event from 1 to 3 October 2026.

Fakudze said the municipality was excited to see Mbabane transformed into a space for storytelling, performance and cultural exchange, describing theatre as a powerful tool capable of reflecting society, challenging perspectives, healing communities and preserving shared history.

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“When the curtain rises this October, it is not just actors stepping onto a stage; it is the heartbeat of global creativity resonating right here in the mountains of Eswatini,” she said.

She said the festival aligned with Mbabane’s vision of becoming a dynamic smart city, noting that meaningful urban development should extend beyond infrastructure.

“A truly resilient and thriving city breathes through its arts, its culture, and its creative economy,” Fakudze said.

According to the CEO, the creative sector has the potential to drive economic empowerment, tourism and youth development. She said hosting a festival of OITF’s international calibre creates opportunities for local artists to interact with international practitioners, develop collaborations and expose young people to the possibility of pursuing careers in the arts.

Fakudze also encouraged visiting artists and audiences to explore Mbabane beyond the festival venues by experiencing its markets, communities, hospitality and scenic surroundings.

“The cities in this country sleep. We sleep at five. At six o’clock it is dead. Nobody is walking the streets. That is not proper, because a lot of things sleep when you sleep. A lot of things sleep in your economy when people do not have things to do at night,” she said.

She said a theatre club is key to building a vibrant community that supports theatre, because theatre keeps people awake and on the streets.

“It is not just about being awake. Where the city is awake, the economy is awake. People can trade, vendors can live, kombis can transport people home. Economic activity doesn’t stop at five,” Fakudze said.

She thanked organisers, sponsors and everyone working behind the scenes, saying the municipality was proud to partner in championing the arts.

Penelope Mkhwanazi, representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Senator Pholile Shakantu, echoed the municipality’s sentiments on the importance of a strong creative economy.

“A vibrant city needs a vibrant creative economy,” Mkhwanazi said.

She highlighted Shakantu’s personal connection to the festival through Genesis Ekucaleni Media (GEM), which was founded by the minister. She explained that GEM was born from a vision to create space for Eswatini stories, culture and creative talent to be seen, heard and carried beyond the country’s borders.

She said the organisation was founded on the belief that Eswatini’s stories matter, while the country’s history and heritage deserve to be preserved and shared with the world.

According to Mkhwanazi, GEM also seeks to provide Eswatini creatives with professional platforms through which their talents can be developed and showcased internationally.

She said the meaning behind Ekucaleni, which represents “a beginning”, made the festival particularly significant.

“It represents not simply an event, but another chapter in a vision that began with the belief that Eswatini has stories worth telling and talent worthy of the world stage,” Mkhwanazi said.

Programme director Mdura Dlamini, who led the launch, welcomed guests including hotel directors, partners, sponsors, captains of industry and members of the media.

“It is my singular honour to welcome you to the official launch of the October Theatre Festival, which by coincidence will take place in October right here in this wonderful city of Mbabane,” Dlamini said.

Before proceedings, Luyanda Zwane opened with a prayer and a lively acapella performance. Dlamini said the performance was aligned with the theme of theatre.

“In theatre we express ourselves with our bodies, our minds, our souls. That is why there are no background instruments. It is not AI. That is how it works,” he said.

The OITF brings together theatre practitioners and creatives from Eswatini and across Southern Africa, including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana and South Africa. Artists will share stages, exchange knowledge and connect audiences through African storytelling.

The festival is built around four main elements: workshops, live performances, a street festival and murals. It also includes five creative pillars: The Theatre Festival, Murals, Schools Festival, Creative Arts Masterclass Workshops and the Dzeliwe Street Festival.

Workshops and dramatic arts will be presented at five venues: Alliance Française, the Eswatini Theatre Club Auditorium, the Candlelight Room, American Corner and Yini Loku Gallery. They will be led by experienced facilitators from South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Eswatini.

A key component is the Schools Festival, managed by experienced theatre trainers who have worked extensively through schools culture competitions. Organisers said it is important for creating future performers, developing new audiences and introducing children to opportunities in the creative industries. Members of the schools drama association will take part in workshops and stage productions.

The festival will also bring public spaces to life through its street festival, with live entertainment, markets, exhibitions and murals.

According to organisers, the October Theatre Festival is the first festival of this size since the Matiwane Manana Arts Festival of the late 1990s, which was founded by Khethabahle Mthethwa at the Eswatini Theatre Club with the late Prince Masitsela as patron.

The festival has already created employment for more than 50 local theatre artists, performers, designers, trainers and production crew, while more than 100 creatives are engaged in artist management, stage management, branding, film and content creation. About 750 local performers, emerging artists and theatre practitioners are expected to benefit from cross-border skills exchange.

Festival tickets are available on MojaTicket. The organisers are calling on businesses, institutions and development partners to support the growing theatre movement.

For more information, contact Festival Director Larry Mhlanga on +268 7820 6155, Festival Coordinator Nothando Khabako Mhlanga on +268 7604 1757, or Media and PR Adekunle Owolabi on +268 7659 3027.