OCTOBER INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED

By Tlalane Dlamini

The inaugural October International Theatre Festival (OITF) was officially launched on September 10, 2026, unveiling an ambitious three day programme set to transform Mbabane into a hub of performance, storytelling and cultural exchange from October 1- 3, 2026.

Hosted at the Eswatini Theatre Club, the festival will bring together 10 theatre productions and 15 masterclasses, with performances running four times daily at 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm. Beyond the stage, organisers have set an ambitious target of training 750 young people over the course of the festival, positioning OITF as both a celebration of theatre and a platform for developing the next generation of creative talent in Eswatini.

The launch drew government, tourism and arts leadership, signalling the scale of the vision behind the festival and its role in the country’s broader tourism and creative economy strategy.

A city built for the festival, and beyond

Eswatini Tourism Authority Board Chairperson Penelope Mkhwanazi, speaking on behalf of Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Senator Pholile Dlamini Shakantu, used the launch to call for Mbabane to embrace a 24 hour economy. “From a tourism perspective, a smart city must also be a vibrant city, a city that remains alive beyond the working day,” she said, pointing to the festival as an opportunity for the capital’s restaurants, arts and entertainment scene to thrive well into the evening.

Mbabane City CEO Gciniwe Fakudze echoed the sentiment, framing the festival as part of a bigger plan to build a world class, 24 hour living city. “A city is not brick and mortar. A city is the people that live in it,” she said, noting that a lively Mbabane creates opportunities for vendors, transport operators, businesses and creatives alike.

A call for authentic storytelling

Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture CEO Stanley Dlamini challenged festival creatives to go beyond entertainment, urging them to draw on the Kingdom’s heritage, chiefdom stories and traditions. His message to organisers and performers was clear: tell authentic Eswatini stories and let the world experience the real Eswatini through the stage.

A festival whose time has come

Festival Director Larry Mhlanga described the launch as arriving at the right moment for Eswatini’s theatre industry, calling OITF more than a festival: a revival of theatre and a new chapter for the country’s creative economy.

With just under three weeks until the festival opens, audiences can look forward to three days of performance, culture and masterclasses that organisers hope will mark the beginning of an annual fixture on Eswatini’s cultural calendar.

Tickets & Bookings: +268 7820 6155 | [email protected] Venue: Eswatini Theatre Club | Dates: 1 to 3 October 2026

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