Latest news with #Eswatini
News24
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News24
Unforgettable festivals across the country to add to your weekend plans
No matter the weather, there's definitely some fun to be had over the weekend. Music lovers are in for a treat with a wide range of festivals across the country to indulge in and if you've got your passport ready, Eswatini's Bushfire festival is waiting for you! Perhaps you're a car enthusiast who loves to live vicariously through the high life of motorcycle and speedboat riders. Or you're just looking for a wholesome food and dining experience while kicking back to the sounds of Bongizwe Mabandla. Whatever the case may be, here are some events happening across South Africa to tickle your fancy. MTN Bushfire Africa's largest multicultural festival has arrived. From 30 May to 1 June 2025, Eswatini sees the return of the annual MTN Bushfire festival, with performances from artists like Boom Shaka, Zee Nxumalo, 340ML, Thandiswa Mazwai, K.O and many more from across the continent ready to enlighten and entertain the masses. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MTN Bushfire (@mtnbushfire) Feastival Cape Town's Cabo Beach Club is gearing up for a food, dining and music experience like no other. Satisfy your tastebuds with a huge range of food market stalls and dining experiences at Feastival accompanied by the smooth sounds of folk musician Bongiziwe Mabandla, FKA Mash and more on Saturday, 31 May. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Celebrating Local 🇿🇦 (@feastival) Mbombela Transport and Motor Show Car enthusiasts, this one is for you. Whether you're a Formula One fan, a trucking enthusiast of a lover of all things speedboats and motorcycles, the Transport and Motor Show happening on 20 and 31 May at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga is calling your name. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Transport & Motor Show (@transportmotorshow) Sunset Music Series Johannesburg music lovers are in for a treat. The Sunset Music Series, known for its unforgettable outdoor concerts in Kirstenbosch, Cape Town, has arrived in Gauteng bringing world-class talent to one of the province's most breathtaking venues - the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden. Catch musicians Simmy and Ami Faku light up the stage on Sunday, 1 June for an unforgettable experience set againt the backdrop of the garden's lush escape. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sunset Music Series (@ Road to Durban July with DJ Tira Award-winning record producer DJ Tira will be live at Max's Lifestyle Village in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, on 1 June for an unforgettable music experience featuring acts like Naledi Aphiwe and more, promising an exciting buildup to DJ Tira's famed marquee experience Afrotainment at the Durban July. View this post on Instagram A post shared by djtira (@djtira) SunFest Those winter chills will be a distant memory when visiting Sun City Resort between now and August when SunFest promises 11 weeks of non-stop pleasure. The festival kicks off with a movie night screening of Mufasa at the resort's Green House on 31 May and boasts a wide variety of activities in the coming months, including a Father's Day potjiekos competition, gospel singer Bucy Radebe's live recording of her latest album, the Ziyakhala Mo Sun City Festival featuring Ringo Madlingozi, Sjava and more plus U.S. singer Kenny Lattimore live in concert on Woman's Day. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sun City Resort (@suncityresortsa)
Washington Post
18-05-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
U.S. funding halted Africa's HIV crisis. Trump's cuts have forced a reckoning.
SIDVOKODVO, Eswatini — When American taxpayer money started flowing here 18 years ago, this country was the epicenter of the global HIV/AIDS crisis, with the world's highest prevalence rate, and so much death that 1 in 10 households was headed by a child. U.S. aid unleashed a flood of lifesaving antiretroviral pediatric drugs. It funded doctors and data systems. It helped build an ultramodern medical facility in the center of the country, known as the Miracle Campus, that provided free care behind an entrance sign saying: 'From the American people.'
Zawya
16-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
African tourism ministers unite to drive continental growth in 2025
Africa's Travel Indaba 2025 reaffirmed its role as the continent's leading leisure trade show, bringing together tourism leaders and stakeholders from across Africa to showcase offerings, forge partnerships, and address the industry's shared challenges. Held in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, the event was hosted by South African Tourism in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, Durban Tourism, and the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Durban ICC. The recurring theme throughout the gathering was clear: collaboration over competition. A united front for African tourism Eswatini's Minister Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, emphasised the importance of partnership-driven growth. "Partnerships and collaborations are very key in making sure that you take advantage of the other partner. We are not here to compete. We are here to collaborate." He noted that Eswatini benefits from tourists visiting neighbouring South Africa and stressed the importance of regional cooperation. Zambia's Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba, echoed this sentiment with an impassioned call for unity. "As African tourism ministers, we have a singular resolve to work as a team, there must be cohesion and strength in numbers. The days of competition are gone, we must support one another and showcase what makes us unique. Our cultures, our gastronomy, our dress — these are the assets that set us apart." Sikumba highlighted Zambia's expansion of visa-free access from 42 to 167 countries and advocated for open skies and strengthened regional air hubs. "We don't all need to reinvent the wheel — let's strengthen existing hubs like OR Tambo International Airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and Bole International Airport. Collaboration is the way forward." Regional partnerships driving tourism Mozambique's Secretary of State for Tourism, Fredson Bacar, cited the ZIMOZA Transfrontier Park — a joint effort between Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Zambia — as a successful example of regional tourism cooperation. He noted that around 70-75% of Mozambique's tourists come from South Africa and highlighted Mozambique's recent move to exempt 29 countries, including all SADC nations, from visa requirements. Angola's Minister of Tourism, Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, called Africa's Travel Indaba 'the starting point for us as Africans to address the barriers that still exist in creating a more boundary-less economy between our countries." He stressed the need to implement long-discussed open skies and visa-free travel initiatives, revealing Angola's plan to launch e-visas and e-permits by 2028. 'Young people from Africa don't understand why they cannot travel from Cape to Cairo without a visa,' Daniel noted, adding that Angola has launched its airline with ambitions to better connect African destinations. The minister announced a planned business-to-business meeting between Angolan and Zambian tour operators and upcoming collaborations with South African counterparts. Investment in travel technology and skills development South Africa's Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, addressed the travel and visa challenges impeding growth. She confirmed that 'visas and open skies remain the two biggest barriers to growth tourism in the continent', and said pressure is being applied through the African Union and AfCFTA structures. De Lille announced that South Africa is progressing towards an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, expected by the end of the year, which will simplify visa processes for global visitors using digital technology and artificial intelligence. Skills development was also a focus area. De Lille underscored the need for 'demand-led skills' training, while Minister Sikumba noted that Zambia has embedded hospitality training into its national curriculum to prepare its youthful population for tourism careers. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
16-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Eswatini's Minister of Natural Resources and Energy to Speak at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 Amid Critical Mineral and Energy Expansion
Eswatini's efforts to scale up investment in its mining and renewable energy sectors will take center stage at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025, with the kingdom's Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Prince Lonkhokhela Dlamini confirmed to speak. Taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 is the continent's premier energy event and will spotlight Eswatini's strategic initiatives to attract foreign investment in critical minerals, support energy independence and advance sustainable development. Prince Dlamini's participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 reinforces Eswatini's commitment to leveraging strategic partnerships and international forums to attract capital and technology into both its mining and energy sectors. The kingdom recently celebrated a major milestone with the financial close and construction launch of the 13.5 MW Lower Maguduza Hydro Power Project, a public-private initiative that underscores Eswatini's drive to achieve greater energy independence and sustainability through renewables. AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event. Eswatini is also making significant progress toward universal energy access through the newly launched Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) project. Backed by international financial institution the World Bank, this initiative aims to connect 50,000 new households – benefitting 200,000 people – to electricity using both on- and off-grid solutions, with a focus on underserved rural communities. Supported by over $100 million in concessional financing, the ASCENT project will enhance energy security, build institutional capacity and improve livelihoods, making Eswatini one of Africa's frontrunners in equitable and sustainable electrification. In the mining sector, Eswatini is actively working to position itself as an emerging market for critical minerals, following the launch of the second phase of a national mineral mapping program in partnership with South Africa's Council for Geoscience in November 2023. Using AI-based geoscientific techniques, this initiative seeks to unlock the country's vast yet underexplored mineral wealth – ranging from gold and iron ore to a broader portfolio of high-demand critical minerals. As part of its outreach to global investors, Eswatini is creating an enabling environment for private sector participation in mineral exploration, production and job creation. Stepping into this picture, Minister Dlamini's participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 aligns with the goals of Eswatini to open its doors to investors in both energy and mining. By sharing insights into investment opportunities, policy developments and major projects, Minister Dlamini will not only promote greater foreign spending in the kingdom, but position Eswatini as a top destination for energy and mining developers. 'With strong regional partnerships and a focus on innovation, Eswatini is rapidly becoming a compelling destination for critical mineral exploration and clean energy investment,' states Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Irish Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Hombonkulous Michael and the Revenge of the Fallen
Once upon a time, Hombonkulous Micheal gets himself a hot chocolate. Then Bob the 3rd comes out and knocks over the hot chocolate. But then Bobby the 2nd helps Hombonkulous to get himself a larger hot chocolate, and then they become best friends. Suddenly, with his magic powers, Bob the 3rd turns on him and ships him to Eswatini. After, Bob the 3rd shows Hombonkulous a mirror, and Hombonkulous gets scared of his own reflection. Hombonkulous starts punching the mirror repeatedly until his reflection is gone. READ MORE Illustration supplied by sixth class, St Paul's Primary School They then get a taxi to South Africa and catch a plane to Albania where they meet Saint Peter Oldsworth. He is a mighty king and a great philosopher. He found a royal sceptre from a falling star, and it gives him great powers. He decides to give it to Hombonkulous because he has grown too old, and he thinks Hombonkulous would be worthy of the staff. Hombonkulous uses the staff's power to teleport back to the coffee shop. But when he gets back, the coffee shop is no longer modern day: it is a medieval coffee shop. Illustration supplied by sixth class, St Paul's Primary School, North Brunswick Street, Dublin Bob the 3rd says with a posh accent, 'Well well well, lookie who we have here, I shall enjoy beating you Hombonkulous Michael.' Then Bobby the 2nd returns from Albania to Estonia and then he teams up with Hombonkulous Michael to beat Bob the 3rd ... To be continued ...
