SWAZILAND is going to be on fire this weekend. The long-punted Bushfire Festival, which encompasses the renowned and very popular House on Fire precinct, is bound to attract a big crowd.

SWAZILAND is going to be on fire this weekend. The long-punted Bushfire Festival, which encompasses the renowned and very popular House on Fire precinct, is bound to attract a big crowd.

In its third year now, the Bushfire International Festival of the Arts starts today and ends on Sunday.

Though not that wellknown yet, this festival has succeeded in attracting people from the southern region of the continent. Music lovers love going to the country for the music, Swazi hospitality and the charming people.

It would have been surprising if the organisers had left out Bholoja. Not only is he popular, but he knows his craft and his audience well.

Bholoja's African soul has taken him on a 16-country tour.

Through major House on Fire concerts, including the Bushfire Festival, other local artists are the new all-female diva group Temaswati. The group will showcase what beautiful women can do.

Also set to dazzle is legendarytrumpeter Hugh Masekela, the globe-trotting Ladysmith Black Mabazo and the talented Freshlyground.

"Talent is everywhere, and if given the space, you can start to create your own language," says House on Fire director and Bushfire founder Jiggs Thorne.

This experienced artist has a passion and a vision to develop the Swazi arts.

Hosted by House on Fire, the festival aims to create a forum of cultural expression for artists from Swaziland and other countries in the region.

Preceding the festival, was the Arts Round Table last week. House on Fire, in partnership with major arts development group Arterial Network, offered the opportunity for arts associations and government to discuss the development of the arts in a facilitated environment.