BY SIPHOSETHU MABUZA
MANZINI – Lubombo’s creative sector celebrated a night of achievement over the weekend as artists, performers and cultural practitioners were honoured at the National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA), the initiative continues to recognise excellence while strengthening Eswatini’s creative industry.
The awards, supported by the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC), recognised creatives across disciplines including music, photography, videography, dance, theatre, poetry, crafts and community arts. This year’s programme also introduced the National Music Development Programme (NMDP), which aims to equip artists with professional skills in areas such as sound engineering, songwriting and technical production.
Speaking during the ceremony, NACA Chairperson Thamsanqa “KrTC of Hip Hop” Sibandze congratulated the winners, describing the awards as a celebration of individual talent and the collective growth of Eswatini’s creative industry. He encouraged more artists to participate in future editions. “We are delighted to see young creatives making their mark and securing their rightful place in the sector. I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to all the winners and participants. While these are individual honours, we are all winners this achievement reflects the collective growth of our creative community. I also encourage other creatives to continue participating in future awards,” he remarked.
ENCAC Chief Executive Officer Stanley Dlamini said recognising creatives remains central to the organisation’s mission of building a sustainable arts sector where artists can earn a living through their craft “There is truly nothing more rewarding than being recognised for your craft. Our vision is to see creatives earning a sustainable living through their passion, which drives us to go beyond limits in ensuring their work receives the acknowledgment it deserves. We appreciate all those who took part in this year’s awards, and we look forward to expanding our reach to other regions through upcoming festivals.” He added that regional festivals continue to provide valuable platforms for emerging and established talent.
The evening saw creatives from different disciplines receive honours, with GeeZ Visuals named Best Videographer, One Shot taking Best Photographer, Miss Siphofaneni Beauty Pageant winning Best Festival or Event, Cebile Mkhwananzi recognised as Best Regional Female, Prince B Soas receiving Best Regional Producer, and Ghetto Villah walking away with Best Album/EP. Fats was also recognised as Best Regional DJ, while several awards celebrated excellence in school arts, theatre, choreography and indigenous music.
ith regional festivals in Nhlangano (8 August), Piggs Peak (15 August) and Manzini (22 August) as ENCAC continues its efforts to recognise and develop artistic talent across the country.
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(Courtesy Pic)
