NACAS MAJOR BOOST TO ARTS, CULTURE - MINISTER

MBABANE –  Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture has achieved unprecedented success in promoting Eswatini’s culture by increasing the visibility of local artists through the NACAs.

This was said by the Acting Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Jane Simelane in Parliament. In the preamble presented to Members of Parliament, Mkhonta stated that the Ministry through Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) programmes has seen a significant rise in youth and creatives participation. “The highly successful launch of the National Arts and Culture Awards (NACAs) drew over 2 100 entries across diverse artistic disciplines, fostering a renaissance in arts and culture participation,” she said. The acting minister also applauded the council for their recommendable work in establishing arts centres in all regions to help creatives nurture their raw talents. “The enabled success of such artistic and cultural resources will significantly expand the reach of Eswatini’s artists,” Mkhonta said.

A member of the Ministry’s portfolio committee, Futhi Ngcamphalala said that Eswatini is characterised by its arts and cultural inclusivity and harmony; therefore more emaSwati should participate in the arts industry especially in terms of developing the country economically and socially. “As a country we are really in a very good position in terms of developing our arts industry though there is still room to do more. Young people are now recognising and appreciating the fact that there is a lot they can do and achieve through arts and culture,” she said.

Ngcamphalala went on to appreciate the government’s involvement in fostering arts and culture among the youth, however she pointed out that government needs to fully commit to these industries as they not only showcase Eswatini’s unique and rich art and cultural diversity but also play a major role in job creation. “Through ENCAC the country hosts several pageants and events like Miss Cultural Heritage and the upcoming NACA’s, to name a few. The concern is that all these events are privately sponsored. The government needs to set aside funds for these events as they promote the country,” she said. The committee members put an emphasis on the education curriculum to include arts from primary school level so that the talents the pupils have are nurtured at an early stage.

Benefits

In the United States, arts and culture are important to state economies. Arts and culture-related industries, also known as ‘creative industries’ provide direct economic benefits to states and communities: They create jobs, attract investments, generate tax revenues and stimulate local economies through tourism and consumer purchases. These industries also provide an array of other benefits, such as infusing other industries with creative insight for their products and services and preparing workers to participate in the contemporary workforce.

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