MTN Bushfire’s legacy of unearthing, supporting and spotlighting Eswatini’s emerging music artists sparks to life, once again, in the annual MTN Bushfire Firefly competition.

It’s officially time for the next generation of Eswatini’s “Young. Gifted. Free” to submit their music for a chance to be selected for the career defining 9th edition of MTN Bushfire Firefly.

MTN Bushfire Firefly invites vocalists, singers, and rappers aged 16 – 35 to apply between 3 December, 2025 and 30 January, 2026.

The winning Top 3 will earn the grand prize of a coveted performance slot on the Firefly Stage at the 19th edition of MTN Bushfire taking place from 29-31 May, 2026. Winners will also secure a CallerTunez onboarding deal and cell phones courtesy of MTN Eswatini, as well as networking opportunities with arts industry professionals at the MTN Bushfire Arts Round Table.

A dynamic expression of MTN Bushfire’s longstanding commitment to facilitating arts development in Eswatini, the competition creates meaningful music career pathways for young artists by providing a credible, professional platform to showcase their talents to wider audiences.

To date, over 160 youth artists have participated with over 120 up-and-coming musicians using this platform to advance their careers both in Eswatini and beyond. Notable past participants include celebrated names such as Symphony, Mandisa Mamba, Mzwaa, Sarnilo, MNation, Ace Julz, Cheistar, and many more.

How to Apply

Applicants are required to submit their updated Electronic Press Kits (EPK) via: https://form.jotform.com/253301347405549. A strong EPK should include:

• A clear, concise and engaging Arist bio (highlighting your name, genre, location and social media handles)
• At least 1 high-resolution press photo
• Include 2 – 3 of your best tracks or performances, with streaming links
• Hot tip: Always ensure that your EPK is easily accessible, by combining everything into a single downloadable PDF or a well-organised Google Drive/Dropbox folder before sharing.

Applicants will be assessed on the quality, uniqueness and creativity of their submissions, so make sure to take your time with the application and demonstrate your creative flair and star quality.

The MTN Bushfire Firefly Competition Journey

• Judges review all applications and music submissions to shortlist the Top 20
• Public voting commences to help the Top 20 artists secure a spot in the Top 10
• The Top 10 battle it out for the final Top 3 spots through live music performances at the Firefly Grand Finale taking place on Friday, 24 April 2026 at House On Fire
• The Top 3 are selected through a combination of the judges’ assessments and public votes at the Firefly Grand Finale.

Stay tuned to MTN Bushfire and MTN Bushfire Firefly’s social media platforms for updates, highlights, and announcements as we move closer to the finale.

For more information and full application details, visit: www.bush-fire.com/firefly