Record audience flocks to 2012 MTN Bushfire Festival
A celebratory atmosphere fuelled by inspired music and provocative art ensured that the 6th annual MTN Bushfire Festival was the largest and most diverse yet, attracting more than 17,000 people.
Held from 25 to 27 May 2012 on Malandela’s farm in Swaziland’s bucolic Malkerns Valley, the festival successfully fused revelry with social responsibility and consciousness-raising dialogue.
Says Bushfire founder and director Jiggs Thorne: “This year’s MTN Bushfire Festival enjoyed the largest attendance and most positive feedback of any to date.
“Bushfire’s ‘call to action’ mandate means that we are committed to evolving each year towards providing a relevant platform for positive social change through the arts. The overwhelming support of both the public and media affirms our efforts and for that we are grateful.”
While 100% of the festival’s profits go each year to NGO Young Heroes (which works with Aids orphans), ancillary activities generated an additional E880,000 or R880,000 ($180,000) for the charity through a fundraising bike ride and corporate donations by Systems Application Products (SAP).