WITH just weeks to go before the highly anticipated MTN Bushfire Festival, small businesses are already feeling the pressure of rising supply costs as they scramble to prepare for what is traditionally one of the country’s biggest tourism and trade boosts.
Vendors, caterers and craft sellers who rely on the annual festival for a significant share of their income say they are facing increased prices on essential goods such as food supplies, packaging materials and transport.
The festival is slated for May 29-31 at Malandela’s in Malkerns.
The pressure comes at a time when many businesses were hoping to recover from earlier economic strain and fully capitalise on the expected surge in local and international visitors.
Some entrepreneurs feel the rising cost of fuel and transport has had a direct impact on how much stock they can pre-order, forcing them to scale down their preparations or adjust prices ahead of the festival period.
“We are excited about Bushfire because it always brings business, but this year the cost of getting stock has gone up before we even start selling,” said Sibongile Simelane, a small scale food vendor around Malkerns.
“It means we have to be very careful with pricing and planning,” she added.
Representing the minister of tourism and environmental affairs at the official launch of the MTN Bushfire 2026, Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) Board Chairperson Penelope Mkhwanazi underscored the festival’s significance as one of the country’s most powerful drivers of tourism, investment and global visibility.
However, it seems smaller operators often carry the heaviest upfront burden, as they must invest early in stock and logistics without guaranteed returns.
From handmade jewellery stalls to clothing and souvenir sellers, craft vendors say they are trying to absorb some of the rising costs to remain competitive, but warn that continued increases could squeeze profit margins during what should be their most profitable season.
Despite the challenges, anticipation remains high, with many businesses viewing the festival as a crucial opportunity to boost visibility, expand customer bases and recover financially.
As preparations intensify, attention is now turning to how small enterprises will balance rising input costs with the promise of high seasonal demand, and whether the economic benefits of the festival will be evenly shared among all participants.
Additional Context (Brief Web Add-on)
- The MTN Bushfire Festival is one of Eswatini’s largest cultural and tourism events, drawing thousands of visitors annually.
- Small businesses often depend on such events for a significant portion of their yearly revenue, making cost pressures a critical issue.
