The Mlawula Campfire Festival's 7th Edition was held recently, featuring more than just music, comedy, and entertainment. The event included a Bakkie Life off-road segment, which turned out to be one of the major attractions of the weekend. This segment was one of six additional activities introduced at the festival. The off-road experience saw a convoy of bakkies make its way from Simunye Plaza to the Siphiso campsite.
The convoy featured several participating brands, including Mbabane Motors, NTT Toyota Eswatini, Kia Eswatini, Autofin Ford Eswatini, and Standard Bank. The first major challenge of the day was a tug of war, which put some of the participating bakkies' power to the test. An Isuzu D-Max 1.9 LS Double Cab went head-to-head with a 2.4 GD6 Toyota Hilux, with both producing 110kW. The Hilux won comfortably before facing an Isuzu D-Max 1.9 Single Cab.
The tug of war continued with a Toyota versus Toyota battle, where a 2.4 GD6 took on a 2.8 GD6, with the latter securing an easy victory. The heavyweight division followed, with a Toyota Land Cruiser 76 Series 4.5 V8 taking on the 2.8 GD6 Hilux. After a false start and rerun, the Land Cruiser emerged victorious. The mud pit provided another test, with the 2025 3.0-litre Isuzu D-Max V-Cross among the first to tackle the challenging terrain.
Several other bakkies, including the Kia Tasman and Suzuki, also took on the mud as a water tanker was used to increase the challenge. The Kia Tasman ultimately claimed victory, while the Suzuki Jimny surprised spectators by earning recognition as the most unexpected and bravest participant. The day's action culminated in a show and shine, where flagship vehicles were showcased before awards were presented.
Chris Matsebula, driving the Land Cruiser 76 Series, won the tug of war, with Nduduzo Ntuli finishing runner-up. Matsebula received a camp chair and Bakkie Life goodie bag, while Ntuli received a 10-tonne jack and goodie bag. Mbabane Motors was also recognised as the biggest supporter and sponsor, receiving an air pump and six goodie bags.
After lunch, the convoy headed through Mlawula Nature Reserve towards Magadzavane Lodge for a sunset drive, with the scenic journey captured by drone before participants returned to Siphiso for music and supper. Industry partners praised the event, saying it was well-organised and provided an excellent platform for networking and knowledge sharing.
Standard Bank's Manager, New Business, Vehicle & Asset Finance, Sharol Maziya, expressed gratitude for the invitation and praised the event's execution. Kia Eswatini's Sales Executive, Sandile Nkambule, also thanked the organisers, saying the event provided a legendary experience for their brand to showcase their Kia Tasman 2.2D AT 4WD SX.
Key points
- The Mlawula Campfire Festival featured a Bakkie Life off-road segment.
- Several bakkies participated in the off-road experience.
- The event was praised by industry partners for its organisation and execution.
