BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE– The media sector in Eswatini is set for a historic moment as the inaugural National Media Awards (NMAs) will be broadcast live on Eswatini TV this Monday, 22 December 2025.
Hosted at The Royal Villas in Ezulwini, the prestigious ceremony follows a formal agreement between the Eswatini National Association of Journalists (ESNAJ) and Eswatini TV, marking a significant partnership that elevates the profile of journalism nationwide. Viewers will be able to follow the event live on Eswatini TV (DStv channel 286) and the broadcaster’s YouTube platform from 7:45pm.
ESNAJ President Lwazi Dlamini hailed the collaboration as a milestone for the industry, describing the live broadcast as both historic and transformative.
“This is a landmark moment for our profession,” Dlamini said. “We are deeply grateful to Eswatini TV for supporting the live broadcast of our first National Media Awards. It ensures that the celebration of excellence reaches the entire nation.”
The broadcast also marks the first major project undertaken by the current ESNAJ Executive Committee, elected earlier this year, signalling renewed energy and direction within the organisation.
According to ESNAJ Secretary General Ntombi Mhlongo, the relaunched awards will recognise outstanding work across print, electronic and digital media, celebrating the journalists and storytellers shaping Eswatini’s public discourse.
As a self-funded initiative, the NMAs have attracted strong support from more than 20 corporate and institutional partners, who have come on board through category sponsorships and in-kind contributions covering key services such as venue, décor, sound and refreshments.
The awards have been relaunched under the stewardship of ESNAJ and the Eswatini Editors Forum (EEF), with the Marketing Advertising & Research Council (MARC) serving as the implementing partner.
Over 100 entries have been received across a wide range of categories, including Journalist of the Year, Story of the Year, Photographer of the Year, Emerging Reporter of the Year and Business Reporter of the Year, reflecting the depth of talent within the country’s media landscape.
More than an awards ceremony, the NMAs represent a renewed commitment to journalistic excellence and the continued growth and professionalisation of Eswatini’s media sector — a celebration now set to unfold live for the nation to witness.
(Courtesy Pic)
