THE annual Swazi music festival 'Bushfire' kicks off from May 25 to 27 in a picturesque Malkerns Valley in Swazilang, and the festival organisers have revealed the line-up.
The planned boycott campaign by Swazi pro-democracy outfits based in South Africa will not deter the Bushfire organisers.
But some South African artists came under pressure from the organisers, who planned the boycott, to withdraw from participati-ng at the last minute.
Last year, the event was plunged into controversy due to opposition of the event. Briefing the media at a function held in Johannesburg last week - which pro-democracy activists from Swaziland were expected to attend, but failed to do so - the festival organisers again invited those opposed to the event to engage with them instead of criticising from a distance.
"We are quite aware that some South African-based Swazi formations and activists are calling for the boycott of this event.
"We want to make it clear that this boycott is not official and we have asked these activists to engage with us.
"We also want to repeat that we are quite conscious of the political situation in Swaziland and want to work with others to create conditions of democracy.
"We, however, disagree with the manner in which this unofficial boycott is being enforced on us.
"We were not consulted at all. And the festival is important in that it helps to develop communities in Swaziland, and has so far donated over R500000 to benefit a local NGO.
"We know the boycott is not against the festival. [But] they have chosen us as a soft target to raise their issues," said festival director Jiggs Thorne.
CEO of MTN Swaziland, Ambrose Dlamini, said: "Bushfire presents us with a platform through which we can support our corporate social responsibility efforts through the MTN Foundation, which seeks to develop arts and culture in Swaziland."
Headlining the world music showcase is soulful Romanian-Nigerian singer-songwriter Ayo. Joining her is US-based performance poet Saul Williams, described as "a leading voice on the spoken-word scene", and his backing band.
Lovers of fusion can catch reggae-meets-bossa nova sensation Flavia Coelho from Brazil.
MTN Bushfire will also feature Burundi drummers, plus sublime Swazi songstress Nancy G and "Swazi soul" pioneer Bholoja.
Among the South African acts, which will be steaming up the festival stage, are: MXO, Jeremy Loops, Tonik, Mi Casa, DJ duo Revolution, and jazz maestro Adam Glasser's Mzansi Project, featuring vocalist Pinise Saul and guitarist Bheki Khoza.
Thorne added that there are other big names that might be added to the lineup, but they are still in the negotiation stages.
However, not everyone is happy about the artists performing in Swaziland - notably the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN), which forced Ringo Madlingozi to cancel his planned performance last Friday.
A statement issued by the politi-cal pressure group this week read: "The SSN appreciates the position taken by South African singer, Ringo Madlingozi, not to go to Swaziland where he was initially reported to be billed to perform at House on Fire, on March 2.
"The SSN would also like to express profound gratitude for the great work that was done by the Creative Workers Union of South Africa [CWUSA] in ensuring that the boycott is strengthened.
"They had a series of discussions with Madlingozi and managed to explain the history and importance of the cultural boycott and the role it plays towards bringing democracy to the country [Swaziland].
"This intervention by the CWUSA and the lengthy discussions between SSN and the musician was enough to convince Madlingozi that he is supporting a just cause.
"Henceforth, it should be clear to everyone that Madlingozi supports the cultural boycott and has vowed that he will not be going to Swaziland - so long as it is an undemocratic state.
"While we appreciate the contribution of the legendary singer, we must condemn the sickening attitude of the young kwaito DJs and house artists who have not supported the boycott.
"Their insensitivity and lack of political consciousness adds to the existing stereotype that kwaito and house musicians are generally shallow and feeble-minded.
"We therefore urge the likes of DJ Tira, Black Coffee, Glen Lewis, and all those that have chosen to ignore the cultural boycott to learn from the senior musicians and fully observe the cultural boycott as led by the legendary father and musical icon Caiphas Semenya."
More fire at Swazi Bushfire
THE annual Swazi music festival 'Bushfire' kicks off from May 25 to 27 in a picturesque Malkerns Valley in Swazilang, and the festival organisers have revealed the line-up.
The planned boycott campaign by Swazi pro-democracy outfits based in South Africa will not deter the Bushfire organisers.
But some South African artists came under pressure from the organisers, who planned the boycott, to withdraw from participati-ng at the last minute.
Last year, the event was plunged into controversy due to opposition of the event. Briefing the media at a function held in Johannesburg last week - which pro-democracy activists from Swaziland were expected to attend, but failed to do so - the festival organisers again invited those opposed to the event to engage with them instead of criticising from a distance.
"We are quite aware that some South African-based Swazi formations and activists are calling for the boycott of this event.
"We want to make it clear that this boycott is not official and we have asked these activists to engage with us.
"We also want to repeat that we are quite conscious of the political situation in Swaziland and want to work with others to create conditions of democracy.
"We, however, disagree with the manner in which this unofficial boycott is being enforced on us.
"We were not consulted at all. And the festival is important in that it helps to develop communities in Swaziland, and has so far donated over R500000 to benefit a local NGO.
"We know the boycott is not against the festival. [But] they have chosen us as a soft target to raise their issues," said festival director Jiggs Thorne.
CEO of MTN Swaziland, Ambrose Dlamini, said: "Bushfire presents us with a platform through which we can support our corporate social responsibility efforts through the MTN Foundation, which seeks to develop arts and culture in Swaziland."
Headlining the world music showcase is soulful Romanian-Nigerian singer-songwriter Ayo. Joining her is US-based performance poet Saul Williams, described as "a leading voice on the spoken-word scene", and his backing band.
Lovers of fusion can catch reggae-meets-bossa nova sensation Flavia Coelho from Brazil.
MTN Bushfire will also feature Burundi drummers, plus sublime Swazi songstress Nancy G and "Swazi soul" pioneer Bholoja.
Among the South African acts, which will be steaming up the festival stage, are: MXO, Jeremy Loops, Tonik, Mi Casa, DJ duo Revolution, and jazz maestro Adam Glasser's Mzansi Project, featuring vocalist Pinise Saul and guitarist Bheki Khoza.
Thorne added that there are other big names that might be added to the lineup, but they are still in the negotiation stages.
However, not everyone is happy about the artists performing in Swaziland - notably the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN), which forced Ringo Madlingozi to cancel his planned performance last Friday.
A statement issued by the politi-cal pressure group this week read: "The SSN appreciates the position taken by South African singer, Ringo Madlingozi, not to go to Swaziland where he was initially reported to be billed to perform at House on Fire, on March 2.
"The SSN would also like to express profound gratitude for the great work that was done by the Creative Workers Union of South Africa [CWUSA] in ensuring that the boycott is strengthened.
"They had a series of discussions with Madlingozi and managed to explain the history and importance of the cultural boycott and the role it plays towards bringing democracy to the country [Swaziland].
"This intervention by the CWUSA and the lengthy discussions between SSN and the musician was enough to convince Madlingozi that he is supporting a just cause.
"Henceforth, it should be clear to everyone that Madlingozi supports the cultural boycott and has vowed that he will not be going to Swaziland - so long as it is an undemocratic state.
"While we appreciate the contribution of the legendary singer, we must condemn the sickening attitude of the young kwaito DJs and house artists who have not supported the boycott.
"Their insensitivity and lack of political consciousness adds to the existing stereotype that kwaito and house musicians are generally shallow and feeble-minded.
"We therefore urge the likes of DJ Tira, Black Coffee, Glen Lewis, and all those that have chosen to ignore the cultural boycott to learn from the senior musicians and fully observe the cultural boycott as led by the legendary father and musical icon Caiphas Semenya."