Jiggs Thorne: ‘Green and paperless is the future’

Founder and cultural curator Jiggs Thorne has called for more local festivals to embrace environmentally conscious practices, saying events like the Standard Bank Luju Festival are showing how sustainable partying can be both stylish and effective.

“Paperless and plastic-free is not just the future. It’s the now,” said Thorne during an interview at the festival

“What we’ve done at Luju isn’t just an aesthetic choice. It’s about responsibility.” he added.

This year’s edition of the festival was entirely paperless, with digital tickets, QR code menus, and no printed flyers or paper schedules. Thorne said the effort was about more than going digital.

“You’re not just saving paper you’re reducing waste, teaching digital literacy, and protecting the space we’re using,” he explained.

The festival also banned single-use plastics. Vendors were asked to use biodegradable containers, and water refill stations replaced plastic bottle sales.

Thorne said the audience responded positively to the changes. “I saw people carrying reusable cups, even some with their own lunch containers. That says we’re doing something right.” he said.

He acknowledged there’s still work to do, especially with vendors who continue to sneak in plastic items.

“The change will take time. But what matters is the momentum. If we start now, we can be leaders in eco-events on the continent.” he said.

Reflecting on the evolution of the festival, Thorne said Luju has become more than a music or food event. “People are no longer coming just to be entertained. They come for story, substance, style with meaning.” he said.

This year’s programming included indigenous food panels, wellness corners, and live cooking demos from chefs who source ingredients locally.

“You won’t find French fries and fizzy drinks here. You’ll find fermentation, sorghum, healing herbs, handmade skincare, slow food.” Thorne said.

Thorne also shared his views on how influencer culture is changing in festival spaces. He said Luju is slowly shifting toward highlighting impact creators people who use their platforms to support sustainability, cultural preservation, and small businesses.

“If you’ve got 50,000 followers but you leave your trash behind, what value are you adding?” he asked.

Looking ahead, Thorne said the Standard Bank Luju Festival will continue pushing the boundaries of sustainable events in Eswatini and the region.

“We’re exploring solar power options, composting waste, sourcing all ingredients locally and maybe even reusing infrastructure from other events,” he revealed.