Ezulwini – Eswatini’s historical drama series BakaNgwane is set to premiere soon on Eswatini TV following a media preview held on Thursday at Sharma House in Ezulwini.
The preview drew Cabinet Ministers Savannah Maziya and Bongani Nzima, Senator Pholile Dlamini Shakantu, Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini, senior government officials, creatives and invited guests. Members of the cast and production team were also present, offering journalists an exclusive first look ahead of the national broadcast.
BakaNgwane traces the origins of the Swati nation and the struggles faced by past Kings in their efforts to defend land, culture and sovereignty. The series is presented as both an educational and cultural production aimed at correcting long held misconceptions about the Kingdom of Eswatini while sharing its historical roots with local and international audiences.
Speaking to Independent News Eswatini on the sidelines of the preview, executive producer Senator Pholile Dlamini Shakantu said the series was inspired by her desire to address the lack of understanding and appreciation of Eswatini’s history, culture, and identity, particularly among young people. She explained that BakaNgwane was conceived to counter false narratives about the country and share the story of Eswatini with both locals and the international community.
She said she initially considered keeping the information for private use in international forums but decided a platform accessible to all emaSwati was needed. Film was chosen as the medium to reach young and old audiences alike, making the history and story of the Swati nation widely available.
The project began as a documentary but evolved into a drama series due to gaps in historical records. The drama format allowed the production team to fill in these gaps creatively while remaining accurate and engaging.
Dlamini Shakantu said the series is especially aimed at helping young emaSwati reconnect with their identity, understand their heritage and culture, and develop pride in who they are. She noted that many young people she interacted with during her tenure as Minister of Justice expressed views shaped by limited knowledge of their history, and BakaNgwane seeks to provide a foundation for informed decision making and self-confidence.
She added that understanding one’s culture and history positions young people to stand tall in the world, dispelling stereotypes and promoting pride in being emaswati.
The series is expected to air on Eswatini TV in the coming weeks.
Discussion about this post