ESWATINI CHOIRS SET FOR IMISEBE AWARD

MBABANE – The vibrant and deeply rooted choral tradition of Eswatini is set to enter an exciting new chapter at the forthcoming Standard Bank Choral Music Competition.

This year’s event will showcase the debut of the Imisebe Publishing Choice Piece Award, enabling choirs to demonstrate their creativity in promoting ‘Umphandza’, a dictionary published by Imisebe Publishing.

This dedicated section is expected to add a unique dimension to the already highly anticipated competition, which will take place at Esibayeni Lodge in Manzini, on May 25, 2025.

The announcement of the Imisebe Publishing Choice Piece Award was made by Hlobisile Stromvig, the Director of Imisebe Publishing, during the launch event at Happy Valley Hotel on April 3, 2025.

She described ‘Umphandza’ as the country’s first published monolingual dictionary and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the competition.

Invitation

“As Imisebe, we are very honoured for the invitation and greatly appreciate the opportunity given to us by the Eswatini National Choral Music Association. Thank you for inviting Imisebe to be part of this global initiative,” she stated.

Stromvig elaborated on their relevance to the competition, highlighting that they understand how choral music serves to teach culture, aligning with their company’s mission.

“We are pleased to pledge a E50 000 sponsorship towards the siSwati choice category, and we hope it will be bigger and better next year,” she added.

For decades, Eswatini has been a fertile ground for exceptional choral talent, with choirs of all sizes and styles captivating audiences through intricate harmonies and powerful performances.

The Standard Bank Choral Music Competition has long served as the premier platform for these ensembles to showcase their artistry, fostering a spirit of healthy rivalry and artistic growth. Choirs typically compete in categories such as Western, African, Girls and Boys.

Khonelinkhosi Dlamini, speaking at the launch, praised the introduction of the new category.

“As choirs, we are grateful for the category because it allows us to express ourselves in siSwati, as sometimes we sing songs in other languages,” he noted.

The introduction of the Imisebe Publishing Choice Piece Award marks a significant development in the competition’s evolution.

Promoting

Imisebe Publishing is renowned for its commitment to promoting and preserving African literary and artistic works, especially in schools, Imisebe Publishing has been a top publisher of  school text books in Eswatini with the aim of empowering local authors and developing supplementary reading.

Some books published by Imisebe Publishing and also read in schools includes Sabalala Misebe, Emaphupho Emadvwala and Live Liyengcayelwa. Imisebe Publishing involvement signals a potential focus on authentic African musical idioms and encourages compositions that resonate with the continent’s rich cultural heritage.

The Standard Bank Choral Music Competition has consistently attracted a diverse range of participants, from seasoned adult choirs to emerging talent.

The addition of the Imisebe Publishing Choice Piece Award is anticipated to further broaden the competition’s appeal and potentially attract new choirs eager to specialise in this designated genre.

As the upcoming Standard Bank Choral Music Competition approaches, it promises to be a landmark event. The introduction of the Imisebe Publishing category undoubtedly adds a fresh and compelling dynamic to Eswatini’s vibrant choral scene.

The nation awaits with eager anticipation to witness the talent and dedication of its choirs as they embrace this exciting new chapter.

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