Times Of Swaziland: EZAMASWAZI PARTNERS WITH EU EZAMASWAZI PARTNERS WITH EU ================================================================================ Mxolisi Dlamini on 01/12/2022 08:21:00 MBABANE – Local musicians Ezamaswazi and Lunga Sky have partnered with European Union (EU) in recording a gender-based violence (GBV) song. The partnership is in line with of the ongoing 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence international campaign, which started last month, November 25 until December 10. This campaign is also currently run by Swatini Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) organisation, which has partnered with the upcoming Eswatini Gospel Music Awards, through the theme ‘Ending Femicide’ which is also aimed at eradicating gender-based violence. Through this partnership, the organisation is playing its part in the 16 days of activism against GBV international campaign. Ezamaswazi is a Jazz/Soul duo made up of talented vocals by the names of Mary-Ann Howard and Nomphumelelo Zwane. Their Music is inspired by indigenous African songs from which they add their harmonic melodies to inspire souls. They are among the local artists who performed during the recent Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival. The song features Lunga Sky, who is a local singer, songwriter and performer. His musical roots and influences comprise of an eclectic mix of RnB, Soul, Gospel and Jazz. Armed with a soulful voice and an indigenous acoustic sound, he takes audiences through his well-weaved tale of original compositions that detail his admiration for love. The GBV song titled ‘Unite’ was recorded locally, after Ezamaswazi’s vocals won the heart of Jenny Brown who is Programme Manager at EU Delegation to the Pacific. This was during a performance they had at a recent event in Manzini. “We went for an opening of Likusasa Letfu Organisation in Matsapha recently where we performed. After the performance we met Jenny Brown who is a part of EU Eswatini, she loved our voices and that’s where we had a chance to talk about this amazing opportunity of recording the GBV song with them,” Ezamaswazi said. The duo added that the song was already out, it will be released soon on digital platforms including social media, and it will also air on Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS). Express The duo went on to express their gratitude for being given a chance to play their part in fighting GBV, as it was still a challenging issue in our society. “We feel blessed to partner with EU on this amazing project in fighting GBV, as we have seen that GBV cases are increasing instead of decreasing, so to be a part of such an initiative is heart-warming because the aim is to save lives and also to give hope to those who are victims of GBV. Furthermore, this partnership will help Ezamaswazi grow in terms of being known to the world, the opportunity itself is going to open doors for Ezamaswazi to grow their brand not only in Eswatini but all over the world,” said the duo.