BY NELIWE NGUBANE
MBABANE— Emaswati content creators and influencers Gogo & Slwane are taking the Kingdom’s digital creativity beyond its borders, recently representing Eswatini at the Content Creator Awards CreatorLab South Africa 2026, a build-up event ahead of the main awards ceremony scheduled for October.
The CreatorLab brought together some of South Africa’s biggest content creators, influencers, consultants, industry professionals and buyers, creating a powerful networking and learning platform for creatives looking to understand and tap into the continent’s rapidly growing creator economy.
For Gogo & Slwane, being part of the build-up event was not simply about attending another industry gathering, but about positioning themselves,and Eswatini’s growing creator community, within a wider African digital landscape.
Their manager, Philani Mpanza, said the opportunity represented a chance to learn from one of Africa’s most established creator economies while building meaningful industry relationships.
“The representation simply means even more opportunities for us to grow from learning how one of Africa’s biggest creator economies achieved that status and continues to flourish so impressively.”
Mpanza said the duo were particularly excited to interact with industry heavyweights they had previously admired from afar, discovering that many of their journeys were remarkably similar.
One of the biggest takeaways from the CreatorLab was the realisation that a professional and sustainable creator economy is possible when creatives remain persistent, curious and willing to build.
The experience also highlighted the importance of compliance, networking and creating meaningful relationships within the industry.
Gogo & Slwane’s participation comes as their influence continues to stretch beyond Eswatini. Their overseas trips as content creators and influencers have given them opportunities to experience different environments, connect with new audiences and create content for viewers beyond their home market.
Mpanza believes local creators need to become more adventurous in pursuing audiences outside Eswatini, arguing that creators do not necessarily have to leave the country physically to reach international markets.
He said content rooted in Eswatini can be packaged in a way that attracts audiences across the region and beyond.
As the duo continue building their brand, their message to upcoming Emaswati creators is straightforward: start creating and stop waiting for perfection.
“Just start maaan, do not chase perfection, let it find you along the way rather. And importantly, no one is coming to save you, so stay building and let your circle find you along the way.”
They also believe platforms such as the Content Creator Awards play an important role in recognising creators and showing that content creation can become a legitimate livelihood, particularly for young people facing limited employment opportunities.
With the CreatorLab now serving as a taste of what is to come, Gogo & Slwane are set to return to South Africa in October for the Content Creator Awards SA.
Philani clarified that their October appearance will not be as nominees or award recipients at this stage, but as friends and supporters of Mzansi’s growing content creator industry.
For Gogo & Slwane, however, the journey is already bigger than one event. From Eswatini to South Africa and their overseas adventures, the duo are steadily proving that content created from the Kingdom can travel, and that Emaswati creators have a place at the wider African creator table.
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(Courtesy Pic)
