Makoti Festival successfully launches in Maputo -

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By Siphesihle Dlamini

The Makoti Festival, a cultural extravaganza that has steadily grown into one of Southern Africa’s most anticipated events, successfully hosted the second leg of its media activation in Maputo, Mozambique.

The event, which serves as both a promotional tour and a celebration of African heritage, continues to build momentum as it gears up for its grand fourth edition on April 26, 2025, at Malkerns Country Club in Eswatini. With its roots in celebrating African culture, music, and the significant role of women in business and networking, the Makoti Festival has established itself as more than just a music festival. It is a movement that promotes cultural exchange, tourism, and social awareness, particularly in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).

The festival’s journey toward its main event has taken it through various Southern African cities, with the first media activation held in Mbombela, South Africa, at the Botanical Gardens. Now, after a successful activation in Maputo, the festival will head to its final pre-event stop in Lesotho on Friday, March 28, 2025.

The media activation in Maputo took place at Associacao de Arte, a renowned cultural space that frequently hosts artistic and musical showcases. The event was attended by a mix of industry stakeholders, media representatives, artists, and festival executives, all eager to witness what the 2025 edition of the Makoti Festival has in store.

Among the key figures present at the launch were Feling Capela, a key facilitator in Maputo, Makoti Festival Executive Isidora Pinto, Festival Director Thembinkosi Mthethwa, Mozambican music sensation Lizha James, renowned artist and philanthropist Illa Penboy and rising star Thandeka Msibi.

Notably, this marked the third time the Makoti Festival has been launched in Mozambique, a testament to the country’s growing influence and involvement in the festival. Mthethwa, the festival’s director, took to the stage to express his excitement about the festival’s expansion and its growing international presence.

“This festival is about more than just music; it’s a platform for cultural exchange and empowerment. We celebrate the beauty and strength women bring to business and networking, while also using this stage to raise awareness about social issues like gender-based violence (GBV),” he said.

A major highlight of the Maputo activation was the unveiling of a surprise performer—DJ Suparmanmusic. Born Pedro Namburete, the award-winning DJ is one of Mozambique’s most celebrated musical talents. His accolades include being named Arena’s Best DJ Performance 2023, and he is also a Chivas Influencer, a brand associated with high-profile artists and tastemakers.

Isidora Pinto, representing the Makoti Festival Executive, made the announcement, emphasizing the importance of including artists from Mozambique in the festival lineup. “DJ Suparmanmusic is a game-changer in the DJing industry. His energy, skills, and ability to blend different sounds make him the perfect addition to our already stellar lineup,” Pinto said.

While the event in Maputo was a massive success, there was one minor setback—the absence of a traditional dance group from Matola that had been scheduled to perform. Due to logistical challenges, they were unable to attend, but organizers assured attendees that the group would be present at the main festival next month.

No cultural event would be complete without live performances, and New Life Entertainment’s Leebombo made sure to bring the heat to Maputo. Known for her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence, Leebombo delivered an electrifying performance that had the audience captivated.

A standout moment was her performance of “Kudze lasiphuma Khona”, a collaborative track featuring Mozambique’s queen of Afrobeat, Lizha James. The song, a fusion of Eswatini and Mozambican musical influences, was the highlight of the night, with attendees singing along and dancing to its infectious rhythm.

Following the performance, Leebombo expressed her admiration for Lizha James, stating that collaborating with her was a dream come true. “She is such an inspiration to many young female artists in Africa. Her music has transcended borders, and I’m honored to have shared a stage with her,” Leebombo said.

One of the core missions of the Makoti Festival is to shine a spotlight on women in business, music, and leadership. Over the years, the festival has evolved into a significant platform where female entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives can network, collaborate, and showcase their talents.

Festival Director Thembinkosi Mthethwa reiterated this commitment during his address, stating, “this festival is a celebration of the impact that women have in various industries. It is also a space where we can have important conversations about issues affecting women, including gender-based violence. Through music and cultural exchange, we aim to educate, inspire, and bring about positive change.”

Mthethwa took the audience on a nostalgic journey, tracing the festival’s evolution from its inception to its current stature. What began as a small-scale event has blossomed into a regional cultural phenomenon, consistently drawing top-tier artists and expanding its reach beyond Eswatini’s borders. Mthethwa highlighted some of the festival’s most memorable moments, including performances by the late Zahara during its inaugural edition, Sjava headlining the second edition, and last year’s electrifying showcase featuring Grammy Award-winning artist Nomcebo Zikode. These headliners, combined with an ever-growing audience, have positioned Makoti Festival as a must-attend event on the Southern African entertainment calendar.

Headliners & Performers:

• Dr. Rebecca Malope – South African gospel legend and household name

• Lizha James – Mozambique’s queen of Afro-beat

• Khuzani “uGatsheni” Ndlovu – South African Maskandi powerhouse

• Ntate Stunna – The Basotho sensation

• Gogo Mpila – Bringing spiritual and ancestral sounds

• King Kanga – Hip-hop meets African rhythms

• Young Zesh – NACA 2024 Outstanding Afro-pop artist

• Shongwe Ne Khuphuka – The legendary gospel ensemble

Adding to the experience, 11 local DJs will take turns behind the decks, ensuring that festivalgoers are treated to a diverse musical landscape that caters to various tastes. For those eager to attend, tickets are already on sale through multiple platforms, ensuring accessibility for festivalgoers from different regions. General admission is priced at E300 while VIP experience is E500. Tickets can be purchased through Howler, Computicket, Mojaticket, MoMo and Official Festival Website www.makotifestival.com.

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