BY NELIWE NGUBANE
EZULWINI – From poets and painters to dancers, actors, musicians and traditional performers, Eswatini’s creative industry took centre stage today as the National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA) unveiled its nominees while businesses and individuals stepped forward with pledges aimed at giving the awards and its artists greater support.
Held at the MTN Golf Club, the national nominees reveal brought together nominated artists, industry stakeholders, sponsors and representatives from the arts and culture sector as the country began counting down to the second NACA Awards ceremony on November 28, 2026.
The event carried a message that extended beyond trophies.
It presented the awards as a platform through which creative work can be recognised, celebrated and, increasingly, supported through practical opportunities.
NACA CEO Stanley Dlamini captured the importance of audience participation and recognition during the event, saying an award ceremony without an audience is “like a rehearsal”.
He said the nominees unveiled were therefore not merely competing names, but a celebration of excellence within Eswatini’s creative arts.
The scale of the nominations reflected the diversity of the sector, with categories covering mainstream and regional music, traditional arts, theatre, comedy, fashion, visual arts, photography, videography, content creation, poetry, dance and creative businesses.
While the nominees were the focus of the day, several companies and individuals used the occasion to pledge financial, mentorship and performance opportunities towards the awards and participating artists.
UNESWA researcher and academic Bakhombisile Dlamini pledged E5 000 towards the poetry category.
Eclipse Investment, represented by Sinqobile Nkononye, pledged a E50 000 cash prize towards a lifetime achievement award in recognition of Addison Salayedvwa Magagula’s contribution to the country.
The support was also extended beyond cash.
Honey Child Style founder Pinky Glover pledged to dress performers on the awards day in collaboration with iKleri.
Representing Imisebe, Tony Mabaso said the organisation would continue supporting the NACA Awards, following its involvement in the inaugural edition, where it supported two categories.
Eswatini Farmers Market Director Mbekezeli ‘Culolam’ Dlamini pledged to select five winning artists from different categories to perform at next year’s event.
Fine artist Honest Mhlanga also committed to a one-month mentorship programme for fine art nominees, which will culminate in an art exhibition.
Meanwhile, Eswatini Jumbo and Lifestyle Awards founder Jumbo Khumalo pledged to book and pay for two winning performing artists to perform at his upcoming awards.
Other organisations mentioned for their support included Eswatini TV, Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) and Destiny Events.
The pledges give the nominations a practical dimension, as artists stand to benefit not only from recognition but also from potential performance platforms, mentorship, exposure, financial support and industry opportunities.
Portfolio Committee Chairperson Sifiso Shabalala said the organisation of events such as the nominees reveal provides a clear picture of what stakeholders can expect as the awards move towards the final ceremony.
He said the Ministry also sends them to identify talent that may otherwise remain unknown.
Shabalala said each year brings new discoveries, with nominees sometimes surprising stakeholders with the level of talent they possess.
He said the growing number of artists and creative practitioners being identified also strengthens the committee’s argument for increased support for the sector.
According to Shabalala, the more talent that emerges and participates, the more the committee sees the need for the budget allocated towards the creative sector to grow.
His remarks point to one of the central messages emerging from the nominees reveal: Eswatini’s creative industry is broader than the names that traditionally dominate the entertainment space.
The nominations demonstrate that talent is being recognised across different disciplines and parts of the country.
The nominees have emerged through the NACA process, moving from regional recognition towards the national stage.
Among the categories are Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Arts Organisation, Best Arts Promoter, Best Choreographer, Best Comedian, Best Community Arts Initiative, Best Content Creator, Best Crafts Artist, Best Creative Brand, Best Dancer, Best Fashion Designer, Best Festival or Event, Best Fine Artist, Best Ingadla Group, Best Lutsango Group and Best Sibhaca Group.
The awards also recognise Mbaqanga, models, photographers, poets, promising artists and a wide range of regional music categories.
The traditional and school categories further widen the awards’ reach, with nominations for school drama, Ingadla, Ummiso and Sibhaca groups.
FULL LIST OF NACA NOMINEES
BEST ACTOR
- Samukelo Dlamini
- Ayanda Ginindza
- Ncamiso Gcoba Dlamini
BEST ACTRESS
- Lenyelenhle Malaza
- Gina Khumalo
- Maggie Mimmy Ginindza
BEST ARTS ORGANISATION
- Sithobela Youth Society
- Eswatini Talent Network
BEST ARTS PROMOTER
- Mr Sey
- DJ Mfundo
- Culolam
- Sbu De Drum DJ
BEST CHOREOGRAPHER
- Mr Sey
- Welcome Mavuka
- Velile Dube
- Ntsika Lukhele
BEST COMEDIAN
- Cedric Simelane
- Darren
- Pepe and Shodi
- Mcola Lohlebako
BEST COMMUNITY ARTS INITIATIVE
- Lubombo Activators
- Hidden Gems Eswatini
- Mr and Miss Sithobela Crowning
BEST CONTENT CREATOR
- Stububery
- Lindokuhle Mukelo
- Sewakhile the Comedian
- Abo Ntanga
BEST CRAFTS ARTIST
- Crochet by Mandy
- Mcebo Nkambule
- Cebisile Busyhand Dlamini
- Ulamgangela Creations
BEST CREATIVE BRAND
- iKleri Store
- Sgonia Republic
- Jumbo
- Tribe Studios
- Crafty Hook
- Havilah House Eswatini
BEST DANCER
- Beyond Limits
- Kokota & Jemba
- Young Stars
BEST FASHION DESIGNER
- Crochet by Mandy
- Carole Lubelo
- Kipi Designs
BEST FESTIVAL OR EVENT
- Miss Mayiwane
- The Mount Zion Experience
- Farmers Market
- Miss Siphofaneni Beauty Pageant
- Ocean Summer Vibe
- Itende Worship Experience
- Amashiya Amahle Maskandi Festival
BEST FINE ARTIST
- Slim Bee
- Lelo Mazibuko
- Thembinkosi Mabuza
- Lindani
BEST INGADLA GROUP
- Piggs Peak Correctional
- Velezizweni
- Bashokobezi
- Maliyaduma
- Mashobeni
- Ingwe Nenja
BEST LUTSANGO GROUP
- Mshingishingini
- Vikizijula
- Dlangeni
- Mdzimba EUDF
- Bhekinkhosi
- Macetjeni Lutsango
- Buseleni
BEST SIBHACA GROUP
- Dlangeni
- Zabeni
- Ngwavuma EUDF
- Big Bend Correctional
- Mashobeni
- Zulwini
BEST MBAQANGA
- Trevor The Vocalist
- Happy Sisters
- Dumako Brothers
- Mshikishi Mndzebele
BEST MODEL
- Sinetiswa Magagula
- Blck Barbie
- Nenekazi
- Siphiwosami Ginindza
- Simelane Lindelwa
- Temlandvo Dlamini
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER
- Trace SD
- Pumba Captions
- Msholozi Communications
- OneShot
- Deelangza Production Company
BEST POET
- Lizwe Umlangeni
- Chawelesizwe The Peoples Poet
- Swish Marandi
- Comfort Da Poet
- OPK
BEST PROMISING ARTIST
- Isabel Maziya
- Lesia Musiq
- Thaifo Son
- Luyanda Motsa
BEST REGIONAL AFRO POP ARTIST
- Young Zesh
- Emagagu
- Cy Ndukwemnyama
- Cool Drop
BEST REGIONAL ALBUM / EP
- Young Zesh
- Ghetto Villah
- Sancheziey
- Mrs Vee
BEST REGIONAL COLLABORATION
- Young Zesh
- Dreamscape CO
- Flip De Boss
- SDSS Music Group
BEST REGIONAL DJ
- DJ dealdeal
- GIFTEDKOSIE
- DJ Cup
- Fats
- Bandora
BEST REGIONAL FEMALE ARTIST
- Smally the Vocalist
- Cebile Mkhwanazi Uyamangalisa
- Hapkoo
- Mrs Vee
BEST REGIONAL GOSPEL ARTIST
- Big Bend We Praise
- Ayanda Dlamini
- Siphe Tsabedze
- Mrs Vee
- Samkelo Kenny G
BEST REGIONAL HIP HOP ARTIST
- Ghost 700
- Cris Tino
- Ghetto Villah
- Lution
- Ntsetselelo Mkhonta
- SGE TCHUNA
- Cate Officixl
BEST REGIONAL INDIGENOUS ARTIST
- Grinder
- Emagodsoulz
- Sancheziey
- Master L & Cado
BEST REGIONAL MALE ARTIST
- M Nation
- Young Zesh
- As 4 JerryP
- Mcebo Nkambule
- Lution
- Blessing Dludlu
- Pst Scara Maziya
- Cy Ndukwemnyama
- Ivungunyane
BEST REGIONAL MASKANDI ARTIST
- Samu Once Again
- Bacede Ngwenya
- Dilaboy
- Khuzungezwa
- Mashibilika Besonga
BEST REGIONAL MUSIC VIDEO
- Young Zesh
- Tricky X
- Lastborn H.R
BEST REGIONAL PRODUCER
- Lution
- DJ Citie
- Prince B SOAS
BEST REGIONAL SONG
- Young Zesh
- Immortal 7
- Thaifo Son
- Siya Bayas
BEST REGIONAL TRADITIONAL GOSPEL ARTIST
- Kuphila Kwensindziso Church in Zion
- Africa And Lindo
- Sphiwo Ndoni
- Apostle – Bishop Makuluve
- R4 Gamedze
BEST SCHOOL DRAMA GROUP
- Mkhondvo High School
- Lobamba National
- Zombodze High
- Maloyi High School
- Vulamasango High School Drama
BEST SCHOOL INGADLA GROUP
- Global Revival Primary
- Gundvwini High School Drama
BEST SCHOOL UMMISO GROUP
- Global Revival Primary
BEST SCHOOL SIBHACA GROUP
- Somnjalose High
- Mkhondvo High
- Nsukumbili High
- Mhubhe High
- Moyeni High
- Ethembeni High School
BEST THEATRE GROUP
- Sibane Multi Purpose Group
- OGF
- Ndzevane Dance Group
- Big Kraal Ensemble
BEST UPCOMING MUSIC ARTIST
- Ghost 700
- MCO Jamrock
- Nkay & Smally
- ProRBS
- As 4 JerryP
- VeeGee
- Ayanda Dlamini
- Machawe Simelane
- CY Ndukwemnyama
- Mrs Vee
BEST VIDEOGRAPHER
- Delangz Productions
- Tribe Studios
- Makhanya Universe
- GeeZ Visuals
MOST PROMISING TALENT
- GIFTEDKOSIE
- Thaifo Son
- Luyanda Motsa
- Isabel Maziya
- Lesia Musiq
- Bobo Rocboy
The nominees reveal was also brought to life through performances from some of the artists represented in the nominations.
Blessing Dludlu, Cy Ndukwemnyama and Sphiwo Ndoni were among the performers who entertained guests during the event, adding a live demonstration of the talent being recognised through the awards.
Their performances reinforced the idea that the nominees are not simply names on a list, but active contributors to an industry that continues to develop across multiple creative disciplines.
With the nominees now revealed and pledges already coming in, attention shifts towards the grand finale scheduled for November 28, 2026.
For the nominees, the coming weeks will be about anticipation as they await the final awards night.
For the wider creative industry, however, the NACA journey represents something larger — an opportunity to place artists, cultural practitioners and creative entrepreneurs at the centre of conversations about recognition, opportunity and industry development.
From the poet receiving a pledged E5 000 to the fine artist being offered mentorship, the performing artist promised a future booking and the lifetime achievement recipient set to be recognised through a E50 000 pledge, the support announced at the nominees reveal demonstrates how an awards platform can extend beyond a ceremony.
As Stanley Dlamini put it, an awards ceremony without an audience is like a rehearsal.
On November 28, the nominees will return to the stage not simply as names announced at a reveal, but as representatives of an industry whose work continues to shape Eswatini’s creative and cultural identity.
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