LUBOMBO – The excitement surrounding the upcoming Simunye Fest was taken directly to the people on Saturday as organisers hosted a lively roadshow at Simunye Plaza in the Lubombo Region, giving members of the public an opportunity to win festival tickets and other prizes ahead of the three-day entertainment extravaganza.
The roadshow forms part of Simunye Fest’s ongoing nationwide activation campaign, following the official launch of the festival on June 15. The activation at Simunye Plaza was met with enthusiasm from members of the community, with lucky participants walking away with 12 festival tickets in total.
Seven of the tickets were awarded to adults. Four winners received full-experience tickets, giving them access to all three days of the festival, while three others received one-day pop-in tickets.
Children were also included in the giveaway, with five young winners receiving tickets. Two of the children’s tickets provide access throughout the festival from October 23 to 25, 2026, while the remaining three are valid for a single-day appearance.
Beyond the ticket giveaways, the roadshow also featured other prizes, adding to the excitement and giving residents a taste of the festive atmosphere that organisers hope to create when Simunye Fest arrives in Vuvulane.
Speaking during the activation, Simunye Fest organising committee member Msutfu Masilela emphasised the importance of taking the festival to communities rather than simply waiting for people to attend the main event.
Masilela said the people of Simunye and the wider Lubombo region have an important role to play in making the festival a success, particularly because the event is expected to contribute to the area’s economic activity.
The roadshow also served as an opportunity for organisers to explain what festivalgoers can expect when Simunye Fest takes place from 23 to 25 October 2026 at Vuvulane.
Masilela said the festival should not be viewed simply as another music event, but as a family-oriented experience that brings together entertainment, food, carnival activities, tourism, culture and social experiences.
“We want people, not only EmaSwati, to see it and feel it for themselves out to enjoy fun and relaxation. People must know that Simunye Fest is a family affair designed for the experience of the whole family,” Masilela said.
He added that children will have access to attractions including a merry-go-round, dunk tank and skee ball, while adults will have a wide range of activities to explore.
The roadshow was also an opportunity to highlight the nostalgic connection between the upcoming festival and the Simunye Fun Fair, which was previously held in the area. Organisers believe the new festival will bring back some of that familiar community spirit while introducing a broader and more modern entertainment experience.
Simunye Fest is expected to feature 12 interconnected experience zones, including the Main Stage and Nomad Valley camping, Impact Hub, Creator and Influencer Hub, Fashion and Lifestyle Zone, Carnival Games, Family Zone, Tourism and Cultural Experience, Networking Zone and VIP Lounge.
The festival is also strategically positioned to benefit from the revitalisation of the East3 Route, connecting Eswatini with Mozambique and South Africa’s Mpumalanga province. Organisers see the route as an opportunity to attract visitors from neighbouring markets and strengthen tourism in the region.
According to Masilela, the Maputo metropolitan area has approximately 1.1 million people within a three-hour drive, while Nelspruit is also among the nearest South African destinations from which tourists can travel to the festival.
The Simunye Plaza activation is only one of several roadshows planned as organisers continue building momentum towards October. The next activation is scheduled for Buhleni on September 5, 2026, with more activations expected in other towns across the country.
The festival is supported by Jägermeister, Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS), Emerge Care and the Vuvulane Town Board.
Discussion about this post