MALKERNS — The Standard Bank Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival has unveiled a packed entertainment and culinary programme for its eighth edition, bringing together leading artists, fashion designers, chefs and performers from across Southern Africa at House On Fire in the Malkerns Valley on 1 and 2 August 2026.

The two day festival will welcome visitors from Eswatini and beyond under the theme Eat. Sway. Love., with performances spread across the Luju Main Stage, Buzz Stage, Honeycomb Stage, DJ Deck Sibaya and the Culinary Amphitheatre.

Festival gates will open at 10am on both days, closing at 2am on Saturday and 10pm on Sunday.

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Saturday’s Main Stage programme will begin with Eswatini act THISISODD at 10am, followed by the Correctional Services Choir at 1pm and Cece and Rina at 2pm. The Fashion Café Pop Up Runway featuring designers from Eswatini, Lesotho and Mozambique will start at 3pm before South African artist Bathini takes the stage at the same hour.

Mandisi Dyantyis will perform at 4pm, followed by Eswatini’s Fela Kuru at 5pm. South African maskandi legends Shwi Mantombazane are scheduled for 6pm before Circles and Squares perform at 7pm.

Mozambican singer Neyma will entertain festivalgoers at 8pm, followed by Eswatini artist MBO at 9pm. South African television personality and musician Zola 7 will perform at 10pm before Tribal Natives from Eswatini take over at 11pm. Hip hop star Nasty C is scheduled for midnight, with Tman Xpress closing the Main Stage programme at 1am.

Sunday’s Main Stage programme will begin with DJ Bob from South Africa at midday, followed by The Kyle Shepherd Xahuri Trio performing the music of Abdullah Ibrahim at 1pm.

Bathini returns to the stage at 2pm before Lesotho’s Maleh performs at 3pm. Circles and Squares will perform again at 4pm, followed by The Masekela Band at 5pm. DJ MK from Eswatini is scheduled for 6pm before Bholoja performs at 6:45pm.

South African house music duo Liquideep will take the stage at 8pm before award winning musician Zakes Bantwini closes the festival on the Main Stage at 9:15pm.

The Buzz Stage will showcase emerging and established artists throughout the weekend.

Saturday’s programme includes Oriiginelle, Ka Tembe Connexion, Vuyo Viwe, Emagagu, the Luju Fashion Runway featuring designers from Eswatini, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, Wandile Mbambeni and Sancheziey.

Sunday’s Buzz Stage programme will feature Talent’n’Motion, Judah Soul, Thando Zide, Wonderboom and Mandisa Mamba.

At the DJ Deck Sibaya, Tamika, THISISODD, DJ MK and Lethumusa will perform on Saturday, while Tamika returns on Sunday alongside Fela Kuru, Expo and MBO.

The Honeycomb Stage will feature Eswatini DJs Ndumz, Sergy, Baybash and Thubillion B2B Tap on Saturday evening, while Drum Rhythm, Obsession, Bab’Dlamini and Lady Gee are scheduled for Sunday.

Food lovers can also look forward to an extensive culinary programme at the Amphitheatre.

Saturday’s activities include the Nguni Mcombotsi Circle hosted by Thobile Makhoyane, Ancestral Forage and Ferments by Magriza Made Me Cook from Zimbabwe, and a Nguni Fine Dining experience by Chef Mmabatho accompanied by a wine masterclass and tasting presented by Cork and Co.

On Sunday, Chef Sive will present a Nguni Desserts session followed by a wine masterclass and tasting by Cork and Co, while Coco and J from South Africa will host the Afroguese Sonic Food Experience.

Festival tickets remain available online through the Luju Festival website, the Unayo WhatsApp platform, Standard Bank branches in Mbabane, Ezulwini and Manzini, as well as Dala Spaces at Malandelas Lifestyle Centre.