MANZINI – The regional round of the National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA) is heading to Manzini, with the Manzini Regional Festival officially scheduled for Friday at Millennium Park.
The festival, which begins at 10am, forms part of the awards’ efforts to celebrate excellence and recognise outstanding talent across Eswatini’s creative sector. It follows successful regional festivals held in Lubombo, Shiselweni and Hhohho, with Manzini now set to take centre stage.
The event will offer creatives and members of the public an opportunity to experience the region’s artistic talent through performances by nominees, exhibitions and displays by talented artists and designers.
NACA Awards Chairman Thamsanqa ‘KrTC’ Sibandze confirmed the festival and encouraged creatives to attend in large numbers.
“We are excited to bring this significant event to Manzini this weekend after completing successful festivals in three regions. We also want to congratulate all the creatives who submitted their nominations under Manzini; it takes bravery and dedication to do so, and we sincerely appreciate your efforts,” Sibandze said.
He urged creatives and supporters to gather at Millennium Park on Friday to celebrate the nominees and contribute to the growth of the local creative industry.
Following the Manzini festival, attention will shift to the national stage, where regional winners will compete for prestigious national titles. The list of national nominees is expected to be announced after the conclusion of the regional round, with voting set to begin shortly thereafter.
Beyond recognition, the NACA Awards are also placing greater emphasis on professional development. Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) CEO Stanley Dlamini said this year’s programme would provide creatives with practical industry skills through the National Music Development Programme (NMDP).
“Through the National Music Development Programme, we aim to develop industry professionals,” Dlamini explained.
He said creatives will benefit from training in areas including sound engineering and music business, with South African music industry expert Vusi Leeuw engaged to oversee the initiative immediately after the national awards.
The intensive workshops are expected to equip participants with practical knowledge that can strengthen their careers and contribute to a more sustainable creative industry.
Entry to the Manzini Regional Festival at Millennium Park on Friday will be free of charge, giving the public an opportunity to witness the region’s creative talent as the NACA journey moves closer to its national finale.
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