MAPUTO – The Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival returns on 1–2 August 2025 in Eswatini, offering a vibrant celebration of music, gastronomy, fashion and immersive cultural experiences in a family-friendly environment that honours African identity.
Held under the theme “A Return to the African Future”, Luju positions itself as one of Southern Africa’s most sophisticated cultural platforms, attracting visitors, brands and artists from across the continent and beyond. With a rich programme spread across multiple stages, the festival promotes local creativity while integrating global trends through an authentically African lens.
The 2025 edition features a luxury musical lineup including Blaq Diamond, Buhlebendalo, TKZee, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, De Mthuda and Lady Zamar, alongside rising stars such as Mozambique’s Xixel Langa, who represents her country with a distinctive afro-soul sound and powerful stage presence. Langa has been gaining international acclaim for her ability to blend tradition with modernity.
In the culinary space, Luju curates a world-class food experience with chefs such as Onezwa Mbola, Roushanna Gray and Mrwetyana Zukisani, highlighting sustainable practices and ancestral African flavours. A major highlight will be the blind tasting and wine pairing workshop led by sommelier Saskia Lesch from KWV, as well as the Farm to Fork Luju Cookoff, which celebrates local ingredients and producers.
Fashion also takes centre stage with the Mastercard Luju Fashion Show, featuring designers from Eswatini such as Kwenzie Zwane, Maureen Massingue and Seluliwe Mdluli, who will showcase collections inspired by vintage and sustainable African aesthetics. Acclaimed South African designer Thula Sindi will unveil an exclusive collection and lead a masterclass on building globally recognised African fashion brands.
Beyond concerts and fashion shows, the festival offers children’s activities, immersive virtual reality experiences, ceramics workshops and a curated space for African art and crafts—making Luju a dynamic gathering for families and professionals in the cultural and creative industries alike.
Tickets are available at www.lujufestival.com or at Standard Bank branches across Eswatini. Local festivalgoers can also purchase tickets via Unayo Marketplace using WhatsApp number 7805 6364.
Promising a multi-sensory and identity-affirming journey, LUJU 2025 strengthens its position as one of Africa’s premier festivals, where you can taste, dance, learn and celebrate the very best the continent has to offer.
