Makhabane wants bigger Fish in the sea

Sipho 'BigFish' Makhabane is not looking for singers who can simply hold a note. He wants the kind of talent that can grow into something much bigger.

That is the idea behind the newly launched Eswatini Praise Talent Search, an initiative spearheaded by the gospel musician with an ambitious plan to find raw talent, develop it and ultimately put more Swati voices on bigger stages.

Speaking at the launch, Makhabane described the programme as a new chapter for singers and performers across the country, with the focus firmly on what happens after talent is discovered.

The goal is to turn promising voices into professionally developed artists, while also building what Makhabane describes as the first professionally developed Swati Mass Choir. It is an idea that takes the competition beyond the usual search for one winner.

Instead, the programme is looking at the bigger picture: What can happen when talented singers are given the right training, mentorship, exposure and professional support? Makhabane believes the answer could take Eswatini’s music beyond its borders.

 “We live in an era where talent, when nurtured properly, can transcend borders and open doors to international stages,” he said.

That international ambition sits at the centre of Eswatini Praise. The programme wants to give singers an opportunity to gain experience and recognition locally, while preparing them to represent the country on international platforms. And there is already a strong industry element being built around the 20 contestants.

The Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture is coming on board to support the programme, with its role extending beyond simply being a partner attached to the launch.

According to ESWACOS’ Mmeli Hlanze, the 20 contestants will take part in workshops focused on understanding copyright and the business side of being an artist. They will also be registered as members of ESWACOS.

That part is particularly interesting because the benefits are not limited to whoever walks away as the winner.

The contestants will be introduced to the systems that protect their creative work, and, according to Hlanze, they are guaranteed an opportunity to earn royalties through ESWACOS even if they do not win the competition.

For young artists trying to make sense of the music industry, that knowledge could prove just as valuable as standing on a television stage.

 Makhabane’s vision is therefore less about finding a single superstar and more about creating a pipeline of artists who are better equipped to build careers.

The partnership with ESWACOS will also support the development of the Swati Mass Choir, while the council’s investment in studio facilities is expected to help ensure the music is recorded professionally.

There is also a clear economic ambition behind the project. Makhabane believes that developing artists can contribute to job creation, grow the creative economy and give young people another route to building sustainable careers.

For a country with plenty of singers but limited platforms for professional development, that distinction matters. A talent show can give someone a moment. Training, mentorship, industry knowledge and professional opportunities can give them a career.

That appears to be the bigger fish Makhabane is after. Not just a winner or just a good singer but artists who can develop their sound, understand their rights, earn from their work and eventually take the Swati musical identity far beyond home. With 20 contestants stepping into the programme, Eswatini Praise has its first catch. Now Makhabane wants to see just how big they can grow.