The Eswatini creative industry is entering a new phase of organisation and formal structure following the launch of interim arts committees by the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC).
The newly-appointed committees, unveiled at the ENCAC offices in Manzini, have been given a nine-month mandate to establish and formalise national arts associations across different creative disciplines.
The initiative forms part of the implementation of the National Arts and Culture Policy 2025-2030, which seeks to professionalise and strengthen the country’s cultural and creative sector.
Artists, performers and cultural practitioners from various disciplines gathered at the launch, where discussions centred on governance, membership registration, industry coordination and long-term sustainability.
ENCAC Chief Executive Officer Stanley Dlamini described the move as a major step towards building stronger structures within the arts sector.
“This process is about building strong foundations for every discipline so that artists can operate within recognised, democratic and well-governed bodies,” he said.
The interim committees will serve from May 2026 until January 2027.
During this period, they are expected to coordinate artist registration, draft constitutions, facilitate sector programmes and oversee preparations for democratic elections within their respective associations.
According to Dlamini, the process is also intended to create formal recognition agreements between ENCAC and the associations, allowing artists to operate within structured national bodies.
The launch introduced committees representing music, gospel, DJs, dance, comedy and traditional performance sectors.
The Eswatini Music Association will be led by Lindelwa Mafa as Chairperson, alongside Ndumiso Dlamini as Secretary General and Tiyamake Maziya as Treasurer.
Other committee members include Wandile Ndlovu, Bongani “RocBoy” Dlamini, Mfana Gamedze and Public Relations Officer Bongani “Tizalami”.
Meawnhile the Eswatini National Gospel Association will be chaired by Fakazi Samuel Mamba, with Sphiwo Ndoni serving as Vice Chairperson and Thami Ndlovu as Secretary General.
The committee also includes Nhlanhla Mathunjwa, Philani “R4” Gamedze, Mxolisi Mhlanga and Vusimuzi Maculuve.
The Eswatini DJs Association appointed Sicelo “Mixmash” Mashwama as Chairperson, Allen “Wicked” Stewart as Vice Chairperson and Nhlanhla Ntshangase as Secretary General.
Mongi Mabuza will serve as Treasurer, while Nhlanhla “Delight Soul” Zwane and ItsAllBlaQ are committee members.
Sithembiso Magagula was named Chairperson of the Eswatini National Dance Association.
The committee also includes Sithembile Hlatshwayo as Secretary General, Thandeka Msibi as Public Relations Officer, Nontsika Lukhele as Treasurer and Sibusiso “Sey” Gwebu as Member.
Traditional dance structures will operate under the Imigidvo Yesintfu Association, chaired by Mandla Shongwe. Other members include Ndumiso Hluziyane Dlamini, Nonhlanhla “Tinono” Dlamini and Nompendulo Mbingo.
The Eswatini Comedy Association committee includes Mduduzi Dlamini, popularly known as Mdura, as Chairperson, Jacob Shongwe as Public Relations Officer, Lorenzo Matsebula as Member, Thabiso Malinga as Treasurer and Bonginkosi Dlamini, also known as Dr Shakes, as Secretary General.
Worth noting the formation of the associations marks one of the clearest attempts in recent years to centralise and coordinate the country’s creative sectors under formal structures.
For many artists, the development represents an opportunity to address longstanding challenges related to representation, organisation and industry growth.
Mafa said the revival of the Eswatini Music Association was focused on rebuilding credibility and restoring the organisation’s original purpose after years of inactivity and instability.
“I am committed to restoring its original purpose and strengthening its structures,” she said, adding that consultations and meetings had already begun ahead of the association’s Annual General Meeting.
Within the gospel sector, Mamba said the association aimed to create an inclusive platform representing different styles and denominations of gospel music across the country.
“We will prioritise membership registration, transparency and capacity building for artists,” he said.
Mashwama said the DJs Association had already started engaging artists through regional competitions aimed at identifying talent and strengthening collaboration within the sector.
“DJs have long needed a formal structure where they can affiliate, collaborate and voice their aspirations,” he said.
Shongwe, who leads the Imigidvo Yesintfu Association, highlighted the importance of preserving traditional culture while strengthening coordination systems across the country’s regions.
“Our work involves chiefs, tinkhundla structures, community groups, traditional teams and corporate partners across all regions,” he said.
The establishment of the interim committees is expected to lay the groundwork for fully recognised national associations with elected leadership and defined governance systems.
ENCAC believes the structures will increase artist participation, improve accountability and create stronger platforms for development across the creative economy.
The initiative also signals a shift towards viewing the arts sector as an organised industry with long-term economic and professional potential rather than isolated creative disciplines operating independently.
Over the next nine months, the committees will be tasked with registering members, engaging stakeholders and building operational frameworks that could shape the future direction of the arts industry in Eswatini.
For many within the sector, the success of the process will depend on participation, transparency and the ability of the new structures to create opportunities that extend beyond events and performances into long-term industry development.
While the committees begin their work, artists across the country will be watching closely to see whether the initiative delivers the coordinated leadership and professional structures that many say the industry has lacked for years.
