The MTN Bushfire music talent competition is open to up-and-coming vocalists, singers, and rappers aged 16 – 35 years in Eswatini. They are invited to submit their music recordings and EPK to participate in the competition.
Important dates:
3 December 2025: Applications Open
6 February 2026: Applications Close
20 February 2026: Top 20 Announcement & Voting
7 March 2026: Top 20 Live Auditions
13 March 2026: Top 20 Voting Closes
20 March 2026: Top 10 Announcement
10 April 2026: Top 10 Voting Closes
24 April 2026: MTN Bushfire Firefly Grand Finale
29 – 31 May 2026: Top 3 performance at MTN Bushfire Festival
Important notices:
- All Top 20 finalists are required to attend live auditions at House On Fire on Saturday, 7th March 2026. Failure to attend may result in disqualification
- All Top 10 finalists are required to sing on back-track during their performance at the Grand Finale
- Top 3 winners are required to sing on back-track during their performance at the MTN Bushfire festival
Adjudication process:
- Accredited adjudicators will consolidate and select the Top 20 Finalists
- A percentage of public votes are required to get your favourite artist to the MTN Bushfire Firefly Top 3. The voting platform will be announced in due course.
- The Top 20 will be publicised across several communications platforms to create awareness on their music
- The Top 10 will be selected by a combination of public votes and expert industry professional adjudication
- The final Top 3 will be selected based on their live performance at the MTN Bushfire Firefly Grand Finale on Friday, 24 April 2026, at House on Fire in Eswatini. *It is imperative that the Top 10 bring their A-game and market their participation effectively as this will contribute to their final scores.
Artist Benefits
Top 20 – Music promotion on international platforms
Top 20 – MTN CallerTunes on-boarding
Top 20 – Arts Round Table participation opportunity – networking with global stakeholders
Top 10 – Performance at the Firefly Top 10 Grand Finale with expense stipend
Top 10 – Branded merchandise
Top 3 – Mobile phones sponsored by MTN Eswatini
Top 3 – Performance slot at the MTN Bushfire festival with expense stipend