Malkerns — The 2025 MTN Bushfire Festival concluded on Sunday, June 1, with founder Jiggs Thorne urging attendees to embrace community spirit and sustainability. Speaking to a lively crowd, Thorne thanked the festival team for their year-round dedication that made the event possible.
He also expressed his appreciation for MTN, the title sponsor since 2010, and acknowledged the various partners who have consistently supported the project over the years.
Thorne connected the festival’s values to those of Waterford Kamhlaba, whose students have long championed harmony and inclusion. He noted Waterford’s founding in opposition to South Africa’s Bantu education system, saying this spirit of unity forms the backbone of Bushfire.
Reflecting on his family’s deep roots in the valley, Thorne reminded the audience that building relationships and fostering possibilities has always been central to the festival. “When our parents came into this valley over 50 years ago, it was about community,” he said.
He also brought a light touch to the closing, engaging the camping crowd with humor before inviting local personalities, including “the mayor of Malkerns,” to share a few words on the festival’s collaborative spirit.
Thorne ended by thanking international guests, reinforcing that Bushfire is more than a festival — it is a place where stories are shared and futures are shaped. The event’s focus on art, music, and togetherness promises to grow even stronger in 2026.
The MTN Bushfire Festival returns next year from May 29 to 31.
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@independentnewses A very big thank from the entire crew of the MTN Bushfire 2025. #MTNBushfire2025 #tiktokeswatini ♬ original sound – IndependentNewsEswatini
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