BY SIPHOSETHU MABUZA
MANZINI – Three nominations have come and gone without a win, but Siteki-based rapper Fakudze Thembakayise, known professionally as Alec The Father’s Hope, is back in the running for another shot at an award, this time in the Artist of the Year category at the Eswatini Lifestyle Awards 2026.
The nomination marks his fourth appearance on an awards shortlist since 2023, following recognition at the Swazi Fest Writers Awards in 2023, the Eswatini Lifestyle Awards in 2025 and the NACA Awards in 2026.
The latest nomination has put the hip-hop artist in contention for one of the awards at the Eswatini Lifestyle Awards ceremony, scheduled for December 5 at Happy Valley Hotel.
Although his previous nominations did not result in a win, Alec said the experiences had strengthened his determination to continue pursuing his music career. “Three times I was nominated and didn’t make it. It hurt, but it taught me. God keeps my hope alive. That is why I am called The Father’s Hope. This fourth nomination is proof that if you don’t quit, your time will come,” he said.
Born in Mbabane and raised in Siteki, the rapper has built his artistic identity around faith, perseverance and hope. His latest nomination also gives him an opportunity to draw attention to the music coming out of Lubombo, where artists continue to seek recognition within the country’s entertainment industry.
For Alec, the next stage of the journey will depend partly on public support, as voting forms part of the process to determine the category’s winner. He has appealed to supporters in Siteki and across Eswatini to vote for him, describing the nomination as a chance to represent people who continue working towards their goals despite previous disappointments.
Voting is available through the awards website, www.theFLAcenter.com. Voters must select the voting section, choose Artist of the Year and select Alec The Father’s Hope. Each vote costs E2 and is payable through MTN MoMo, with repeated voting permitted under the organisers’ stated rules.
The awards ceremony will take place on December 5 at Happy Valley Hotel, where the outcome will determine whether Alec’s fourth nomination finally brings him a win. For now, the Siteki rapper remains in contention, hoping the latest chapter in his awards journey will have a different ending.
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(Courtesy Pic)
