MBABANE – The Mr Eswatini pageantry has come under scrutiny following a public dispute involving Pageants Eswatini, former Mr Eswatini titleholder Sive Mawelela and pageant host Mbonisi Ngcamphalala, exposing concerns around governance, accountability and transparency within the industry.
The dispute centres on claims by Mawelela that he was neglected during his reign, allegations that were rejected by Pageants Eswatini Director Tony Dlamini in messages shared publicly this week. In the screenshots posted by Mawelela, Dlamini is seen stating that Pageants Eswatini functions as a regulator rather than a sponsor and that the organisation had no contractual relationship with the former titleholder.
According to the messages, Dlamini argued that Pageants Eswatini could not be held responsible for Mawelela’s welfare or engagements, as there was no binding agreement between the two parties.
These assertions were challenged by Ngcamphalala in an interview published by The Eswatini Observer on Thursday. Ngcamphalala maintained that contracts were in place and that Pageants Eswatini was fully aware of the arrangements surrounding the competition and its winners.
“There was a valid and binding contract with Sive Mawelela and all the other winners. Pageants Eswatini knew about every winner because they were present during the competition and acknowledged the results. They even provided prizes to the winners,” Ngcamphalala was quoted as saying.
He added that all required documentation had been submitted to Pageants Eswatini before his departure to India in 2024, where he is currently pursuing his studies.
“That claim that there was no contract is not correct. The agreement is authentic, signed and verifiable,” he said.
Ngcamphalala also defended the credibility of the adjudication process, responding to suggestions circulating publicly that Mawelela did not merit the title.
“Our judges were independent and professional. The winners were selected fairly and transparently,” he added.
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