The Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival, back for its 5th edition is a unique and sophisticated African-vintage styled celebration of the local, the wholesome, the creative, and the delicious, truly a sensory experience. Luju is a lavish two-day feast of music, fashion, entertainment, culinary exploits, and connoisseur-led premium wine and whiskey showcases, taking place in Eswatini on the 4th – 5th August 2023.
This regional and authentically African food and fashion festival celebrates the local, the wholesome, the creative and the delicious, proudly showcasing the amazing, diverse tastes of Southern Africa. The 2023 edition, with the support of Standard Bank Eswatini, will be a uniquely Southern African affair. The exciting food and fashion themes for The Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival have also been finalized with eclectic and innovative programmes being planned across the 2-day event. These uniquely curated programmes will also once again by accompanied by the high-quality range of African and global sounds from top artists from the Southern African region and beyond.
Additionally, Luju will once again host an exciting range of artists that reflects the festival’s growing regional and international footprint, with artists such as Mandisi Dyantyis, Sun El, Mango Groove, Big Zulu, Zoe Modiga, Vuma Levin, Lwazi Dlamini, The Joy, Painted Flowers, Gran’Mah, Dato Seiko, Tlale Makhene, Mapumba, Dusty & Stones and Sarnilo amongst others.
South Africa’s Mango Groove hardly need any introduction and their infectious groove is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Mandisi is an acclaimed vocalist, trumpeter and musical director from South Africa known for his versatility in Jazz, Western Classical and African indigenous music while Lwazi Dlamini is a baritone opera singer from the Cape Town Opera.
Also hailing from South Africa are Painted Flowers: Joburg’s new alternative six-piece who exude a rich vintage flare, mixing a ’60s rock tone with a country and blues twang. In a similar vein, the ever-popular homegrown Dusty & Stones will bring their Eswatini based country music to the Luju stage.
In less than three years, South Africa’s The Joy has become known for its ability to spread instant euphoria with a unique sound that has the ability to transcend genre and continents alike.
From Mozambique, Lenna Buhule will perform a collaboration with Muhamago (a Mozambican musician & sound artist) in a multi-sensorial afrofuturistic music experience called KUMLANGO.
With The Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival taking place over 2 days this year, guests are invited to stay on-site in luxury Luju style with walk-in glamping tents (en suite hot showers included!) or camp with the ready erected tents, available for both Friday and Saturday nights.