ESWATINI THEATRE CLUB LAUNCHES E10 000 MICRO-SEED FUND FOR WOMEN ARTISTS

BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE

MBABANE– The historic Eswatini Theatre Club is at the centre of a powerful new chapter for women in Eswatini’s creative sector following the launch of an innovative micro-seed funding initiative designed to turn bold cultural ideas into sustainable artistic ventures.

The programme, titled Culture Spaces Context (CSC), has been introduced to directly support women artists and arts managers with both financial backing and professional skills development, helping them move from concept to execution with confidence.

Spearheaded by the Eswatini Theatre Club, the initiative is being implemented with funding support from the Austrian Embassy Pretoria and technical collaboration from the Antidote Culture Foundation. Together, these partners aim to ensure that women remain central to shaping Eswatini’s contemporary cultural expression.

At the heart of the programme is an understanding that limited access to funding continues to be one of the biggest obstacles for independent creatives. Through CSC, selected participants will receive E10 000 in micro-seed support to develop and execute a creative project of their choice.

Beyond financial assistance, the programme offers a curated public showcase opportunity at the Eswatini Theatre Club in Mbabane, giving participants a highly visible platform to present their final work to new and diverse audiences.

In addition, beneficiaries will undergo an arts management workshop facilitated by the Antidote Culture Foundation. The training will focus on entrepreneurial thinking, budgeting, and project management — critical skills often overlooked in the creative journey but essential for long-term sustainability.

By combining seed capital with structured mentorship, the initiative ensures that supported projects go beyond once-off exhibitions and instead serve as building blocks for lasting creative careers.

The programme welcomes a wide range of disciplines including theatre, visual arts, dance, poetry, and cross-disciplinary work. Importantly, it seeks projects that actively engage communities and attract new audiences into creative spaces.