MBABANE– The Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) has pledged 78 hours of free studio recording time to creatives nominated in selected categories of the National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA), in an initiative aimed at promoting voting while supporting the development of local talent.
NACA Chairman Thamsanqa KrTC Sibandze, announced that artists who secure at least 500 votes by November 15 will qualify for six hours of free studio time at Manzini Recording Studio.
The initiative covers 13 categories, including Best Male Artist, Best Female Artist, Best Producer, Most Promising Talent, Best Imbongi, Best Regional Afro Pop Artist, Best Poetess, Best Poet, Best Gospel Artist, Best Traditional Gospel Artist, Best Indigenous Artist, Best Upcoming Music Artist and Best Hip Hop Artist.
Sibandze said the initiative was designed to ensure that creatives benefit beyond the recognition associated with participating in the national awards.
“As much as we want to encourage voting during the national competition, we also want our artists to benefit and gain something just for participating in the National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA),” he said.
He explained that one winner would be selected from each eligible category, with two winners receiving the incentive in the event of a tie. Each successful artist would receive six hours of complimentary studio recording time.
Sibandze urged artists to mobilise their fans and followers to vote, highlighting the opportunity to access professional recording facilities while competing for national recognition.
ENCAC Chief Executive Officer Stanley Dlamini said the initiative aligned with this year’s NACA theme, ‘From Recognition to Development’, which seeks to advance creatives and strengthen the arts and culture industry.
Dlamini challenged eligible artists to take advantage of the opportunity, noting that access to quality recording equipment could help them improve their projects and advance their careers.
“The theme of the awards this year is ‘From recognition to development’ and this incentive, which will enable creatives to get free studio time, aligns with the awards theme aimed at developing our creatives as well as the industry as a whole,” he said.
He added that the incentive offered artists an opportunity to benefit on two fronts: competing for a NACA trophy while potentially securing free recording time to support their musical and creative projects.
The recipients of the free studio time will be announced on November 15.
Meanwhile, the NACA ceremony is scheduled for November 28 at Esibayeni Lodge. Voting will close on the awards night before the programme begins, except for the Best Song categories and Song of the Year, which will remain open until one hour before the programme ends.
Voting is currently open, and creatives and their supporters can obtain further information through ENCAC’s official Facebook page, Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture.
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