Autumn in the Midlands looks like colourful landscapes, long lunches, and unhurried days – Easter brights flow into resplendent autumn leaves! One of the newest photo experiences to emerge is centred on a simple idea: slowing down, taking a seat, and enjoying the view.
In the gardens at Pleasant Places, the Mbali Swing is a carefully considered photo opportunity that blends countryside charm with a sense of play. Suspended against sweeping views and framed by seasonal blooms, it offers guests a brief moment of lightness – both literal and figurative – captured in a photograph that feels natural, relaxed and quite celebratory.
The concept is a local reimagining of the much-loved ‘Bali Swing’ concept – popularised in Bali as a dramatic swing suspended over jungle landscapes and rice terraces, the original Bali Swing became a global symbol known for capturing a sense of freedom, scale and occasion in a single image. Adapted here through a distinctly homegrown lens – its name is a play on words: Mbali, the isiZulu word for “flowers”, honours the flourishing gardens at Pleasant Places, as well as the idea that “beauty often blooms when time is taken to pause”. This fun idea feels familiar yet grounded – glamorous without being over-styled.
Behind the Mbali Swing is Masana Sangweni, an events curator and hospitality entrepreneur who opened Pleasant Places in 2022 as a space designed for celebration, connection and meaningful moments. Her earlier ‘Flying Dress’ photoshoots invited guests to step into iconic local locations, where flowing fabrics were set against open skies and landscapes. As those shoots grew in popularity, so too did the desire to create something more permanent – an experience rooted in place rather than passing through it.
“At Pleasant Places, the intention has always been to invite people to disconnect from the noise and reconnect with themselves, with nature and with the people they love,” she shares.
The Mbali Swing is a natural extension of this philosophy. While the photograph may be a keepsake, the experience itself unfolds at an easy pace. Each shoot is paired with a leisurely two- or three-course lunch, featuring an ever-changing menu shaped by seasonal ingredients. For those marking a special occasion, the Mbali Swing & Sip Lunch adds wine pairings and one of Pleasant Places’ signature rituals – sabrage – allowing guests to open a bottle of Cap Classique in celebratory style.
The experience is also deeply collaborative. Pleasant Places partners with local photographers, bringing together hospitality, creativity and storytelling in a way that feels authentic and true to its surroundings.
For guests who choose to avoid the trek and stay overnight, the Mbali Swing becomes part of the visit itself. Accommodation includes a complimentary swing experience, along with a discount on full photoshoots – an easy incentive to turn a day out into something more lasting.
At its heart, the Mbali Swing isn’t just about spectacle. It’s about creating space for joy, stillness and shared moments … pause, take in the view, and savour the moment.
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Words by: Accacia Foggin