BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MATSAPHA– The Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) has officially unveiled a powerhouse lineup for the third edition of the Eswatini Arts Summit, transforming the Institute of Development and Management (IDM) into the creative heartbeat of the Kingdom from 11 to 13 March 2026.
Themed “Creating opportunities for artists,” this year’s summit serves as a direct, high-impact response to the Speech from the Throne by His Majesty King Mswati III, who recently championed the urgent creation of youth prospects to eradicate unemployment. By bridging the gap between raw talent and global industry expertise, the summit aims to pivot the arts from a passion project into a thriving, viable economic pillar.
A Star-Studded Knowledge Exchange
This year’s summit promises to be a game-changer, with ENCAC securing a distinguished panel of industry veterans tasked with empowering local creatives. The keynote speakers bringing world-class expertise to Matsapha include:
- Dumsani Motsamai: A director at Morolong Inc., Motsamai brings over two decades of legal mastery to the table, helping artists protect their creative intellectual property and foster sustainable growth.
- Sinamandla Kwepile: The strategic force behind the renowned Moshito Music Conference, Kwepile will focus on facilitating essential connections between local talent and international stakeholders.
- Vusi Leew: As President of the South African Music Industry Council (SAMIC), Leew is set to share his extensive experience from industry giants like Warner Music Group, focusing on professional development and innovation.
- Sphe Mbhele: Founder of The Music Imbizo, Mbele is a master of networking and event architecture who will guide artists on building world-class industry platforms.
- Rufus Maculuve: An international arts manager and Executive Director of Music Crossroads Mozambique, Maculuve offers unique insights into cultural production and the power of cross-border collaborative music programs.
Building on Proven Success
This gathering builds upon the massive momentum of the 2025 summit, which saw life-changing outcomes for Emaswati creatives. Last year’s event delivered a massive casting commitment from Black Brain Pictures and a landmark pledge from Paramount Africa to acquire ten Eswatini films annually. With success stories like Young Zesh leveraging the summit to secure international collaborations, the bar is set high for 2026.
How to Join the Movement
The three-day intensive will deep-dive into Film and Television (Day 1), the Music Industry (Day 2), and Festivals, Events, and Awards (Day 3).
Registration is officially open at ENCAC regional offices:
- Hhohho: Temndeni Dlamini (+268 7854 6026)
- Manzini: Zakithi Dlamini (+268 7912 7245)
- Lubombo: Phumzile Sibandze (+268 7868 6863)
- Shiselweni: Nomcebo Dlamini (+268 7626 5711)
For more information, contact ENCAC Communications Officer Mcolisi Dlamini at +268 7636 1602 or Mcovasd6.k@gmail.com.
As the 2026 Eswatini Arts Summit approaches, the anticipation is building for what promises to be a transformative experience for the nation’s creative community. By aligning industry-leading expertise with the national vision of fostering youth employment, ENCAC is positioning this summit as a vital engine for economic and social development.
Whether you are a filmmaker, musician, or festival organiser, this summit provides a rare opportunity to gain the tools, network, and strategic knowledge needed to excel on the international stage. With registration now open across all regional offices, artists are encouraged to act quickly to secure their place in this pivotal movement to professionalise and elevate Eswatini’s vibrant arts sector.
#EPN #EswatiniArtsSummit2026 #ENCAC #CreatingOpportunities #CreativeEconomy #EswatiniArts #YouthEmployment
(Courtesy Pic)
