Standard Bank Chief Executive Mvuselelo Fakudze says the Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival was established in 2017 as the bank’s signature event,
with the objective of developing the local art economy and facilitating market access for small businesses.
Speaking during the 8th edition of the festival in Malkerns on Saturday, Fakudze said the concept originated from the bank’s marketing team. 
“The marketing team advised they need a signature event for Standard Bank and they came up with Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival launched in 2017,” Fakudze said.
Fakudze said the festival has recorded growing participation from outside Eswatini. He referenced figures from the previous edition to illustrate the reach.
“Important for the economy is last year edition brought people from 26 countries,” he said further adding that the demand for tickets was too much even from people outside the country.
He described the festival’s offering as a combination of three sectors. “Coming to experience semi fashion, semi music and semi food,” he said.
According to Fakudze, the event is intended to stimulate economic activity within the creative sector.
“It is about creating the local art economy as there are people from different parts of Africa.
Bringing African cultures together and allow people to interact,” he said.
The CE said interest in the concept has extended to other Standard Bank operations in the region.
“Event was started in Eswatini and Standard Bank colleagues from outside the country like Mozambique got interested in the idea,” he said.
“And it was all about the exchange of clients visa versa.”
Fakudze said Standard Bank is using the platform to support entrepreneurship and business growth among emaSwati.
“As Standard Bank we are encouraging emaSwati to push to their limits and support each other’s growth,” he said.
“Facilitate small business and allow them to grow. Give them an opportunity to export their products.”
He said the bank has taken steps to open external markets for local producers. “We opened a market in Mozambique for the locals,” he said.
To support that objective, Fakudze said the bank introduced the Phokophela Sinawe initiative.
“That’s why we introduced the Phokophela Sinawe initiative,” he said.
The initiative is aimed at linking local businesses to trade opportunities beyond Eswatini.
Fakudze said the festival contributes to the economy by providing a trading platform for small and medium enterprises in food, fashion and lifestyle.
He said the presence of exhibitors and buyers from different African countries enables networking and exposure for local vendors who would otherwise have limited access to regional markets.
The CE said the high demand for tickets from outside the country indicates interest in Eswatini as a destination for cultural and lifestyle events.
Fakudze urged emaSwati to support businesses exhibiting at the festival. He said consumer support is critical for the growth and sustainability of small businesses.
He reiterated Standard Bank’s commitment to facilitating growth through market access, financial services and business development support linked to the festival.
