MTN Bushfire Firefly 2025/2026 Music Competition
9th edition music talent competition for emerging vocalists, singers and rappers in eSwatini. Age 16-35. Deadline: January 30, 2026.
The MTN Bushfire Firefly is a prestigious music talent competition now in its 9th edition, designed to identify and promote new musical talent from eSwatini. With support from MTN eSwatini, this programme offers emerging artists a platform for wider exposure and professional development through live performance, mentorship, and industry engagement.
The competition is open to up-and-coming vocalists, singers, and rappers aged 16 to 35. Applicants under 18 must provide parental or legal guardian consent. The competition follows a structured timeline beginning December 3, 2025, with applications closing on January 30, 2026.
The selection process is rigorous and multi-stage: accredited adjudicators select the Top 20 finalists, who will participate in live auditions at House on Fire on March 7, 2026. These finalists must attend or face disqualification. The Top 10 are determined through combined public voting and industry adjudication, while the final Top 3 are selected based on live performances at the Grand Finale on April 24, 2026.
Winners receive substantial benefits including music promotion on international platforms, MTN CallerTunes onboarding, and Arts Round Table participation with global stakeholders. Top 10 finalists receive performance opportunities at the Firefly Grand Finale with expense stipends and branded merchandise. The Top 3 winners receive mobile phones sponsored by MTN eSwatini and performance slots at the MTN Bushfire Festival (May 29-31, 2026) with expense support.