BY SIBUSISEKILE NDLANGAMANDLA
MBABANE – Twenty talented learners from Eswatini are set to fly the country’s flag high when they perform in IGAZI, a high-profile theatrical production scheduled for August 15 2026 at the Mbombela Civic Centre in South Africa.
The learners earned the opportunity after being identified during the Inyatsi Schools Arts and Culture Competition through a talent scouting exercise led by renowned South African actress Phindy ‘The Real Queen’. The actress served as a guest judge in the competition’s Drama and Theatre category following an invitation from the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC).
The initiative forms part of ENCAC’s efforts to nurture young creative talent by exposing promising artists to professional platforms beyond Eswatini’s borders. During her visit, Phindy worked closely with local arts officials and adjudicators to identify learners with exceptional acting abilities who could participate in an international production.
Mandla Shongwe, Vice President of the Eswatini Schools Arts and Culture Association said the delegation will comprise 20 learners drawn from different schools across the country. Swazi National High School contributed the largest group with 12 learners, while Ngomane Primary School will be represented by four learners. The remaining four performers were selected from other schools. “We have reached the learners and obtained their passport numbers. They will leave for South Africa on August 14” said Shongwe.
The young performers will share the stage with some of South Africa’s established television and theatre personalities, including Sifiso Sibiya, Patrick Mofokeng, Senzosenkosi Mkhabela, and Phindy ‘The Real Queen’. Their participation is expected to give them valuable exposure to the professional theatre industry while allowing them to showcase Eswatini’s artistic talent before an international audience.
Shongwe said the timing of the trip was ideal because schools would be closed for the mid-August break, meaning the learners would not miss any classroom lessons. He, however, noted that official communication with the Ministry of Education and Training was still underway. “We are still yet to contact the ministry about the learners who are supposed to leave. A formal letter detailing the trip will be submitted in due course” he said.
Shongwe described the opportunity as a major milestone for the country’s young actors, saying it demonstrated that school arts competitions could open doors to regional and international platforms. He commended ENCAC and Phindy ‘The Real Queen’ for creating opportunities that bridge local school talent with the professional creative industry.
He added that exposing learners to productions such as IGAZI would inspire more young people to pursue careers in the performing arts while strengthening Eswatini’s growing creative sector and promoting the country’s cultural talent beyond its borders.
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