#KEEPTHEFIREBURNING THRILLS VIEWERS AT HOME

MBABANE – A new era of doing things. In light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has brought public gatherings to a halt, the MTN BUSHFIRE Festival was inspired to host a live stream show dubbed #KeepTheFireBurning.

The live stream took place on Saturday from 5pm until 10pm where different artists from around the globe came together from their respective countries to perform for thousands of viewers at home.

The event was also held in support of the MTN BUSHFIRE beneficiaries ,who are Young Heroes and boMake Rural Projects, to raise funds in order to continue with their much needed COVID-19 relief programmes.

Viewers

The virtual charity concert featured a star-studded lineup of live recorded and prerecorded footage that included Eswatini’s Swazi Soul artist Bholoja, Donovan Copley from South Africa, Senegalese artist Alune Wade, Ain The Machine from Germany, who shook the viewers at home with his quirky music remixes, United Kingdom’s Dizraeli, Habib Koite from Mali, Makoomba from Zimbabwe as well as Eswtini’s golden boy, Sands and many more acts who had previously performed at the festival.

With a variety of stages; MTN BUSHFIRE main stage, House on Fire stage, MTN Pulse Firefly, Bring Your Fire Zone, Kidzone and the Waterford KaMhlaba Alumni Coffee Bar, viewers were spoilt for choice as to which stage to tune into.

The main stage platform was where the significant performances were scheduled to take place, which also featured prerecorded conversations from artists as well as festival goers.  

The House on Fire stage had more intimate sessions which comprised acoustic melodious sets, poetry sessions and other conversations.
Meanwhile, the MTN Pulse Firefly stage was the favourite of all, judging by the conversations on social media and Zoom rooms where it appeared that audiences were enjoying the upbeat deejay sessions from both local and international artists.

Platform

This was a platform where some of the freshest talent was showcased including the likes of MTN Spotlight winner Nsika Mazibuko and Msimisi.

The Kidzone, was an interactive platform for chidren. They were treated to fun performances from Sandra Weatherson from Eswatini, Clowns Without Borders from South Africa, Moya Center also from Eswatini and South African duo Rob Van Vuuren and Danielle Bischooff.

Audiences interacted with one another as well as the artists and festival organisers through the virtual social rooms of the Zoom App,instant messaging chats and live recordings of themselves watching from home.

Each Zoom room was filled with hundreds of viewers from across the globe who were waving at other viewers and also dancing to the musical performances.

Eswatini’s award-winning rapper KrTC praised the festival through a recorded statement that was also aired on the platform and said the MTN BUSHFIRE experience brought the world to artists and enabled them to experience their work in the eyes of their fans. He also mentioned that he was honoured to  have  been granted the opportunity to develop his talent in the same platform over the years .

Bholoja summarised his performance by saying that music was a tool which could be used to empower people especially during the COVID-19 outbreak.

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