AFRO-POP songstress Phumla Music is over the moon.
She's being recognised at home, and it feels good. She has been announced as a headliner for the Phakama Mpumalanga Festival 2025, happening on 1 to 2 November.
Phumla will be performing alongside artists such as Mbuso Khoza, Oscar Mbo, Morda and Lwa Ndlunkulu among many other artists.
The 30-year-old award-winning songstress told Daily Sun that she feels appreciated.
"Honestly, I feel loved by my province. It's not often that you find a festival that will take a talent that is based at home and make it a headline based on whether they are doing good and their music is doing good. Often at home, you will be put at the bottom or at the end of the lineup just because you are from here at home.
"They don't make such talents the way Phakama Festival did it. It's the first time I'm actually this year headlining an event from home, and I'm over the moon because most of the time, Swazi musicians are overlooked in the entertainment industry, not only in music but in the entertainment industry. This one is overlooked, and having to be put in a line-up where there's your Oscar Mbo, Morda, I really do feel like I'm recognised," she said.
The festival is also set to honour heritage, fashion, creativity, and tourism in the Mpumalanga province.
ALSO READ | WATCH: Malaika's shisanyama drama!Opens in new window
It's the perfect platform for Phumla, who is a proud Swazi woman and shows it off during her performances.
"Most of the time when you listen to music from people from KZN, it's rare for you to hear them sing in English. They take their language skills, their culture skills and incorporate them into their music. Mostly in Siswati, you don't see how the Siswati-speaking artists embrace who they are, their culture, and sing in Siswati.
"You often see them relocating to Joburg and abandoning the Siswati community. That has been my biggest issue. I'm trying to bring in the voice of a woman that is into Siswati so that we can balance and grow the society, entertainment industry, the music through activity, through presenting. So, it's a journey. It's not something that can change overnight, but it's very important for me to see progress," she said.
Advocate Twain Ngwenya, founder of the Phakama Mpumalanga Festival, said although the festival is three years old, they're doing things differently this year.
"Now in its 3rd year, the festival has established itself as the province's premier music, art, and lifestyle event, bringing together heritage, fashion, creativity, and tourism in one powerful platform. With its 2025 edition, Phakama is not only raising the bar musically but also introducing a first-ever camping experience in the province, setting the stage for a full weekend of culture and entertainment," he said.
Ngwenya said that they want to make Mpumalanga the go-to province for entertainment.
"Phakama Mpumalanga Festival was born from the belief that Mpumalanga deserves a world-class cultural showcase that not only entertains but also empowers local creatives, celebrates our heritage, and attracts tourism investment.
"We are building more than a festival. We are building an institution that will put Mpumalanga firmly on the cultural map of South Africa and the world," he added.
