BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI– Eswatini radio presenter Lindelwa Mafa has emerged as a key figure in the country’s creative industry transformation following the unveiling of national interim arts structures on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Manzini, where she was appointed Chairperson of the Eswatini Music Association.
The announcement was made by the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture as part of a nationwide restructuring programme aimed at strengthening governance, accountability, and professional organisation within the creative sector under the National Arts and Culture Policy 2025–2030.
Widely known as “Lindz,” Lindelwa Mafa is a broadcaster at Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services EBIS2 FM, where she hosts the popular afternoon entertainment programme Stargaze. The show has become a leading platform for musicians, comedians, and cultural voices across Eswatini, positioning her as one of the most influential media personalities in the entertainment space.
Her appointment as Chairperson places her at the centre of efforts to formalise the music industry and strengthen representation for artists nationwide. The role falls under newly established interim committees tasked with transitioning the creative sector from fragmented structures into unified, democratically governed associations.
Alongside the Eswatini Music Association, ENCAC also announced interim committees for other key creative disciplines, including national structures for gospel music, DJs, dance, comedy, and traditional performance arts. These committees are expected to standardise governance, coordinate membership, and guide each sector toward formal national association status under the restructuring framework.
ENCAC Chief Executive Officer Stanley Dlamini said the appointments mark a turning point for the creative industry.
“The establishment of these interim structures is a defining milestone for the arts sector in Eswatini. We are building systems that ensure artists are properly organised, fairly represented, and supported through transparent and accountable governance frameworks,” Dlamini said.
He added that the restructuring process is designed to strengthen unity across all creative disciplines while laying a foundation for sustainable development within the cultural economy.
The Eswatini Music Association interim leadership includes:
-Lindelwa Mafa – Chairperson
-Ndumiso Dlamini – Secretary General
-Tiyamake Maziya – Treasurer
-Wandile Ndlovu – Member
-Bongani “RocBoy” Dlamini – Member
According to ENCAC, the interim committees will oversee membership registration, assist in drafting and validating constitutions, facilitate capacity-building programmes, and guide the establishment of recognised national associations. The transitional period will run for nine months, ending in democratic elections across all creative sectors.
The restructuring initiative is aimed at addressing long-standing challenges in the arts sector, including fragmented organisation, limited institutional support, and weak governance systems that have slowed the growth of the creative economy.
For Mafa, the leadership role builds on years of engagement with the creative community through Stargaze, where she has consistently promoted local talent and provided a platform for both emerging and established artists.
Her journey into broadcasting began unexpectedly. Initially trained in telecommunications and electronics engineering, she has often described her career shift into radio as an “accident that led to destiny,” a transition that ultimately shaped her public influence.
Stakeholders have welcomed the restructuring process, viewing it as a major step toward professionalising Eswatini’s creative industries and improving coordination across all artistic disciplines.
Within this broader reform agenda, Mafa’s appointment is seen as part of a growing trend of media professionals stepping into cultural leadership roles, bridging the gap between creative advocacy and institutional governance.
As Eswatini strengthens its creative economy framework, the success of these reforms will depend on effective leadership and collaboration across the sector. Mafa’s role is expected to be central in guiding the music industry toward greater organisation, unity, and long-term sustainability.
#ENCAC #EswatiniArts #LindelwaMafa #MusicEswatini #CreativeEconomy #EBIS #Stargaze #ArtsLeadership #YouthInArts #CulturalDevelopment #EswatiniMedia #MusicIndustryReform
(Courtesy Pic)
