BY SIPHOSETHU MABUZA
MANZINI – Gospel music has long held a place beyond church walls in Eswatini, becoming part of the country’s wider cultural and entertainment landscape. That connection will come into focus at this year’s Eswatini Lifestyle Awards, where gospel powerhouse Phathwakahle will bring her sound to the ceremony.
Known for her work in gospel music, Phathwakahle has become one of the familiar voices in Eswatini’s Christian music scene, with her music reaching audiences beyond regular church gatherings. Her appearance at ELA 2026 adds a different musical dimension to an event centred on recognising personalities and achievements across Eswatini’s lifestyle and creative sectors.
The inclusion of a gospel artist such as Phathwakahle also reflects how music, faith, culture and entertainment continue to overlap within Eswatini’s creative industry. The ELA ceremony is scheduled for December 5 at Happy Valley Hotel, bringing together nominees and guests from different areas of public life. The 2026 awards include categories covering music, culture, content creation, business and social impact.
For Phathwakahle, the ELA stage places her music within a wider gathering of the country’s entertainment and lifestyle community, the ELA stage also provides a setting where her music can meet an audience drawn from different corners of the entertainment and lifestyle industry.
Her participation comes as the gospel scene continues to produce artists who are not confined to traditional church platforms, with gospel performances increasingly forming part of broader cultural and entertainment programmes.
The 2026 edition features 20 categories, including Artist of the Year, Swazi Culture Personality of the Year, Content Creator of the Year, Businessperson of the Year and several advocacy and entrepreneurship categories. Nominations and voting are being handled through the ELA platform ELA 2026 will take place under a formal dress code, with the ceremony beginning at 6pm.
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(Courtesy Pic)
