The first day of the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival came alive yesterday as House on Fire transformed into a vibrant celebration of music, fashion, food and culture.
The morning started with a calm energy as the festival team put the final touches in place, preparing the different spaces ahead of the arrival of festivalgoers.
The roads leading to the venue were still quiet as guests gradually made their way to the festival.
By 11am, the grounds were beginning to take shape, with different areas welcoming activity.
At the Fashion Café, designers and stall owners were busy preparing their spaces, arranging their collections and setting up displays that would later attract fashion lovers throughout the day.
Among the fashion spaces taking shape were Karo Textiles, Xigubo, FlowWearz, Uniq_Uity and Batfobile Edit, with designers showcasing their creativity through different fabrics, textures and designs inspired by this year’s theme, Kwasukasukela (Once Upon a Time).
The morning also saw Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini touring the festival grounds alongside Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival Director Jiggs Thorne.
The tour took them through different sections of the festival, where they explored the various stalls, experiences and attractions available.
As the day progressed, festivalgoers dressed in their finest looks began filling the grounds, adding colour and character to the festival atmosphere.
Guests embraced the fashion theme through African prints, crochet designs, leather, animal-inspired textures, beadwork, woven fabrics and unique designer pieces that reflected personal style and cultural pride.
By 1pm, Luju was fully buzzing, with crowds moving between the different areas, enjoying the food, fashion and entertainment on offer.
The stages became centres of excitement as artists delivered performances that set the tone for a memorable day and night ahead.
The culinary stage also attracted attention as Thobile Makhoyane showcased her cooking skills while preparing umcombotsi and sharing knowledge around traditional African food practices.
The Beehive children’s area was equally alive, with families enjoying a variety of activities.
Children took part in games, creative experiences and entertainment, while parents joined them in creating special festival memories.
By the time night began creeping in, the energy across House on Fire had reached a high note, with music filling the air, fashion moments continuing to stand out and festivalgoers embracing the spirit of “A Return to the African Future”.
BEEHIVE KEEPS CHILDREN ENTERTAINED AT LUJU
The Beehive was a hive of activity yesterday as children and their parents enjoyed a fun-filled experience at the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival at House on Fire.
The family-friendly village attracted dozens of young festivalgoers, who spent the day exploring a wide range of entertainment and educational activities inspired by this year’s storytelling theme.
Laughter and excitement filled the area as children moved from one attraction to another while parents joined in the fun.
The Beehive featured storytelling sessions, karaoke, creative workshops, colouring stations, family games, the Great Honey Spelling Bee, arts and crafts, and interactive learning activities.
Children also enjoyed quad bikes, jumping castles, bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, carousel rides, a bubble house, a kids’ spa and virtual reality gaming.
Several stalls kept families busy throughout the day, including those offering face painting, toys, books, handmade crafts, sweet treats and educational activities.
Local organisations also hosted creative workshops where children could learn while having fun.
Parents were seen taking part in games, cheering on their children and capturing memorable moments as the youngsters enjoyed every corner of the village.
Nomalungelo Fakudze, who attended the festival with her seven-year-old son, said The Beehive offered exactly what families needed at the festival.
“I am happy that we came because my son has enjoyed himself from the moment we arrived. He loved the games, the different stalls and all the activities that were available. It is wonderful to have a place where children can have so much fun while parents also get to enjoy the festival,” she said.
The Beehive, which closed at 6:30pm, once again proved to be one of the festival’s most popular attractions, providing a safe and engaging space where children could play, learn and celebrate African storytelling while creating lasting memories with their families.
