BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE – Let the regional nominations begin!
The Eswatini National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA) regional nominations are officially open.
The nominations opened today until September 5, 2024. This was confirmed by Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) CEO Stanley Dlamini.
Dlamini shared with this publication that the regional nominations will provide artists a chance to showcase their talents and compete for recognition in their respective regions.
He said, “We are delighted to announce the opening of our regional nominations, giving every artist the opportunity to be recognised and rewarded for their hard work and dedication to the arts. In order to accommodate as many artists as possible, we are accepting works produced from January 1st, 2022, to September 1st, 2024, ensuring that no artist is left out,” Dlamini continued.
To submit their work for consideration, artists are encouraged to complete the digital nomination form available on the NACA Awards Facebook page, as well as through all media partners and by emailing enac.awards@gmail.com. The NACA Awards team can also be reached via WhatsApp or by phone at 78025387 or 79300494 for any questions or assistance with the nomination process.
Chairperson of the NACA Awards, Sipho Makhabane, echoed Dlamini’s words and said, ‘’We also want to emphasise our commitment to an open and inclusive nomination process, and we welcome suggestions for new categories that may not be currently listed on the nomination form. Our goal is to recognise the diverse and vibrant arts community in Eswatini, and we are grateful for the support of our partners and sponsors as we work towards this goal.”
Makhabane added that the NACA Awards are committed to being a platform for all artists to showcase their talents and gain recognition, and he encouraged interested parties to support the initiative through sponsorship. The link for the NACA Regional Nominations digital form is https://tinyurl.com/NacaAwardsNominationForm.
“The Regional Nominations are a crucial step in the NACA Awards process, providing an opportunity for talented artists to be recognised and celebrated in their own regions,” said Dlamini. “We look forward to receiving the nominations and showcasing the incredible talent that Eswatini has to offer.”
“We are also excited about the potential for new partnerships and sponsorships to help make the NACA Awards a success,” said Makhabane. “We believe that with the right support, we can create a truly memorable and impactful event that celebrates the best of Eswatini’s arts and culture scene. Together we can make it.”
“We encourage artists and potential partners to get involved and be part of this exciting journey,” Makhabane added. “Together, we can create a legacy that will inspire future generations of artists and support the growth and development of the arts in Eswatini.”