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NEW ORGANISERS IN THE GAME

25/01/2022 08:14:00 Mmeli Mkhwanazi

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MBABANE – Apart from the negatives, the COVID-19 pandemic also had a positive influence on the local entertainment scene.

When the country experienced its first lockdown courtesy of government’s regulations, as a means to curb the spread, the entertainment sector was hit hard as thousands of emaSwati who depend directly and indirectly from the sector were negatively affected by this. This is when gatherings of any sort were prohibited which ultimately affected the entertainment sector.
This includes stage managers, event organisers, sound hire companies, waiters, taxi personnel, musicians and deejays to name a few. This unprecedented set back took a toll on these individuals as they had to find other means of making an income in order to sustain their livelihood. Ryan Reynolds, a revered actor once said, “Any kind of crisis can be good. It wakes you up.” This rings true for many locals who amidst the COVID-19 pandemic found alternative means to contribute towards the growth of the entertainment industry. Among the many negatives that happened in the past two years, the adversities brought to life new event organisers.

handful

Gone are the days when there were only a handful of event organisers in the country. This includes the likes of Swazi Boy, Kool Swazi, Swazi Jive, DJ Khwani’s Swazi Gqom Family and Platinum Concepts. These companies contributed immensely towards the entertainment sector as these events would provide employment or provide‘business’ for many individuals. They also helped in boosting the local tourism industry as people from outside our borders would cross into the country specifically for an event. The main draw cards were shows like the Hipnotik Festival and Cafe Mogambo Crossover as the latter would attract over 5 000 people in one night. Other event organisers are still existent as they are still active in organising shows.

Last year November, right after the lockdown restrictions were lifted; the country saw a rise in the number of events, a trend which had been predicted given that a lot of industry players were voicing out their concerns to government as they called for events to be allowed in order for them to make an income. Once these events were allowed, the country saw a number of organisers that were not on the scene before.

founded

This includes Evolution, an events management company founded by 19 year-old Sobahle Shongwe which recently hosted South African music producer DJ Melzi, Boity and Pabi Cooper. Other relatively new event organisers are Step Up Entertainment which was founded by Mega Lounge’s DJ’s Bloss and Sgitha. The pair has provided entertainment to many revellers as in the two years they have been hosting events, they have managed to attract hundreds of emaSwati to their events. In the past, they have hosted Daliwonga and most recently Big Zulu, the ‘Imali Eningi’ hitmaker who performed for the first time in the country at Sibebe Resort. Nik Nak events also hosted Busta 929, who is an award-winning Amapiano house music producer from South Africa. The event was a success as this event drew just 500 fun lovers who packed Mdzimba View Shisanyama. South African-based DJ Slu, also makes the list. He is currently based in Pretoria pursuing his tertiary education and also dabbles into the entertainment scene as a DJ, influencer and event organiser with his series of events he calls ‘House Of Slu’.

energetic

In December last year, the energetic DJ hosted two events at the XChange Lounge an Shisanyama which saw SA celebs grace the event including Viscah, Daliwonga and Sino Msolo.
Most of these events were a huge success as they did not only provide entertainment but also an income for the booked artists, revenue for the entertainment establishments, business for stall rentals, jobs for waiters , security, sound and even taxis to name a few. To show that this sector of the industry is growing, a new association called Eswatini Events Managers and Promoters Association (EEMPA) was formed. The new association was formed early this year with a number of objectives which include promoting the spirit of mutual cooperation and respect among event managers and promoters. Organise training seminars and secure sponsorships.

The association advises government through the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) on issues of events and the industry as a whole. EEMPA’s Chairperson and seasoned event organiser, Mthunzi ‘Shadow’ Zwane, further pleaded with the new event organisers to register with the association. He said it was E500 to register which would be paid throughout the year. “By registering, this will help the promoters to have a clear understanding on the rules and regulations that have to do with regard to hosting events in the country. We will be hosting a workshop soon for our existing and prospective members this year where we will sensitise them on key aspects of promoting shows,” he said.

threatened

Step Up Entertainment’s DJ Bloss commented by saying he was proud that his stable has managed to do well amid the COVID-19 pandemic which threatened the entertainment industry.
“Having been existent in the game in the two years, we thank emaSwati for supporting our shows all the time. The first major one was hosted at Chill and Grill where we hosted Daliwonga and we haven’t looked back ever since. In 2022, we will definitely have bigger and better shows which will be nothing short of amazing if we have the continued support we have been getting so far,” he concluded.