Gospel artists from the Shiselweni region will take centre stage at the inaugural Shiselweni Arts and Culture Festival with a historic live recording session set for August 9, 2025. The recording will be hosted at Bethsida Church in Nhlangano, starting from 7 PM until 6 AM the next morning.
At least eleven gospel artists have been lined up for the marathon session, among them Siya Bayas, Samkelo Kenny G, Hlobsile Shongwe, Bheki BS Sithole, Nhlanganiso Shongwe, and Mandla Mngometulu. The event will open with a “Worship Hour” before moving into the main recording sessions.
Chairperson of the Shiselweni Gospel Artists Association, Samkelo Kenny G, said preparations are at an advanced stage and the festival would be a first of its kind in the region. He encouraged the public to attend and announced that details on ticket sales would be communicated soon.
Artists scheduled to perform expressed their enthusiasm for the recording. Hlobsile Shongwe said she would be delivering her praise and worship collection on the night, while Nhlanganiso Shongwe praised the Eswatini National Arts and Culture Council (ENCAC) for giving regional artists a platform.
The two-day festival starts on August 8 with school drama, dance and exhibitions at a local park. The following day, activities will continue at the Nhlangano Shopping Complex outside Shoprite with various genres such as dance, hip hop, DJs, poetry, and drama from morning until 5 PM. The evening will then shift focus to the gospel session at Bethsida Church.
ENCAC Chief Executive Officer Stanley Dlamini confirmed that the festival forms part of a broader plan to roll out regional festivals across the country, with Hhohho next in line. Dlamini said the initiative was part of supporting His Majesty’s ‘Nkwe Vision’ by creating opportunities for artists in every part of Eswatini.
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