By Bahle Gama
Businesses making a first-time ‘appearance’ at the Standard Bank Luju Festival have applauded the event’s ability to give them exposure and allow them to market themselves and their products.
The Standard Bank Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival is a family-friendly feast of culinary exploits, high-end fashion, and Afro-centric music, celebrating the sophistication and elegance of African heritage.
The 2024 Luju Festival began on August 2 and ended on August 3, 2024, saw an increase in new vendors showcasing their wares and some making a return to the festival.
Interviewed businesses expressed their delight over their ability to attend the festival and vowed to return next year, many citing that the experience was clearly not about making a killing, but about being seen and known by attendees, from Eswatini and beyond the border.
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Those who were returning to exhibit and sell at the festival noted the difference from the previous years, which they said was not drastic, and hoped that it will be better next year, in terms of the crowd’s attendance.
This is what they had to say:
- Lee, Lush hair care Eswatini
Having attended the Bushfire Festival, we deemed it fit to attend the Luju Festival to also put ourselves out there. It is our first time and the improvement in stall visits only happened in the afternoon, but it has been good. We had a promotion wherein a customer will purchase our product and they get a free, quick styling. We hope to come back next year.
2. Mafifty crafty hands (Ncobile Radebe)
This is my first time coming here. Business isn’t that bad, but it’s slow, stall visits are at their peak, just that they’re barely buying. With this experience, I will definitely come back because times are not the same and I’m hoping next year, people will come looking for me after having known about me during this year’s event.
3. Mongi Botanical (Nosmilo Mdluli)
As a business that is attending for the first time, this has been a great opportunity for us. We have had exposure; people have come to enquire about our products and where our shop is located with the intention to visit after the festival. We will be coming back next year with an even more advanced marketing strategy.
4. D-tempt creation (Kekeletso Malinga)
We are coming to Luju for the second time. Generally, we come to market ourselves, so it’s a better marketing platform. Most people started flocking in on the second day of the festival, but since we will be returning next year, we are hoping for more products to be sold.
5. Bantwana Crafts
This is the fourth time we are attending the event, and the difference in comparison to the previous years is there. However, stall visits are very high, compared to the sales. However, I am a fighter, so I will definitely be coming back next year and I strongly believe that it will get better.
6. Black Edge, shades (Kwanele Mavuso)
So far it has been good, with the crowd growing as the day progresses. It is not our first time attending the festival, and the weather has worked in our favour as a business that sells sunglasses. We will be making a return next years as well, and we are hoping the weather will co-operate with us as has been the case this year.
