Ezulwini – Journalists from across the country are set to gather tonight at The Royal Villas in Ezulwini for the 2025 National Media Awards, the Kingdom’s premier celebration of journalistic excellence.
More than 100 entries have been submitted for this year’s awards, with journalists competing in 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. Eligible work includes stories published or broadcast between December 1, 2024, and December 8, 2025. Each journalist was allowed to submit up to three entries, with the same piece entered in no more than two categories. Freelance journalists were also eligible, provided their work appeared on approved platforms.
The awards have been relaunched under the leadership of the Eswatini National Association of Journalists (ESNAJ) and the Eswatini Editors Forum, with the Marketing Advertising and Research Council serving as implementing partner. ESNAJ Secretary General Ntombi Mhlongo said the relaunch reflects a renewed commitment to journalistic standards and the growth of the media sector in the Kingdom.
More than 20 companies and organisations are supporting the event, either through category sponsorships, which range from E25,000 to E45,000, or in-kind contributions covering services for the ceremony. Confirmed supporters include the European Union, Ubombo Sugar Limited, Lidwala Insurance, Eswatini Mobile, REDI, Swaziland Building Society, SwaziMed, MulaSport, Eswatini Beverages, Nedbank, Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Fund, Royal Eswatini Sugar, MTN Eswatini, the British High Commission, the Eswatini Revenue Service, the Public Service Pension Fund and Mountain View.
ESNAJ President Lwazi Gigg’s Dlamini expressed gratitude to all sponsors and stakeholders for their continued support, noting that the event would not be possible without their backing. Preparations for the awards are complete, and adjudication and other behind-the-scenes processes have been finalised, ensuring a night that promises to celebrate the Kingdom’s top storytellers and honour the craft of journalism.
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