MBABANE – The Eswatini Kota Festival is scheduled for September 7, 2025, at Malkerns Country Club, with organisers projecting an attendance of more than 3,000 people. The festival has grown into one of the country’s leading celebrations of township cuisine, particularly the kota, a dish popular in both South Africa and Eswatini.
Beyond food, the event serves as a platform for small business promotion, cultural storytelling, and creative entrepreneurship. This year’s edition will feature over 15 kota vendors, including ten from South Africa and five from Eswatini, alongside other vendors offering soft drinks, ice creams, slushies, and a range of merchandise, including official Kota Festival items.
Clover is the official sponsor of the 2025 festival, supporting the event’s aim to provide exposure for small businesses and cultivate meaningful engagement between brands and festival-goers. Organisers say the festival offers an opportunity for culinary innovation and cultural pride to be experienced by a wide audience.
Buyisile Nkosi, project manager of the Kota Festival, said the event’s growth reflects the cultural and economic significance of township food traditions. “The Kota Festival is proud to receive support from our sponsors, which helps elevate the kota business into an internationally recognised symbol of creativity, community, and entrepreneurship. Our biggest vision is to tell our kasi food stories and take kota to the world,” Nkosi said.
Festival-goers can expect a dynamic experience with a variety of offerings. Alongside the food stalls, there will be brand activations, lifestyle experiences, and premium entertainment aimed at engaging a diverse crowd. Organisers anticipate the attendance of food enthusiasts, media influencers, and tourists, all drawn to the unique combination of flavours, culture, and innovation on display.
This year’s event will host a total of 25 vendors. Fifteen of these are kota specialists, while the remaining ten will provide soft drinks, ice creams, slushies, and merchandise. Organisers have curated the selection to ensure a blend of traditional township foods and gourmet interpretations of the kota, offering something for both local residents and visitors from abroad.
Nkosi also said that the festival will maintain a strong focus on supporting small and medium enterprises and stimulating the township economy. The event provides an opportunity for local businesses to gain visibility and connect with new customers while showcasing the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit rooted in Eswatini’s urban food culture.
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