Times Of Swaziland: AUTHORS WIN BIG AT SWAZI FEST WRITERS AWARDS

AUTHORS WIN BIG AT SWAZI FEST WRITERS AWARDS
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Mxolisi Dlamini on 27/12/2023 08:53:00


MBABANE – Authors were rewarded for their writing skills during the Swazi Fest
Writers Awards, which were held on December 22 at Southern Africa Nazarene
University (SANU).
Among the esteemed winners were columnist Alex Nxumalo, award-winning Gospel
musician Fakazi Samuel, musician Prince Cosmo and Gospel musician Scara Maziya,
to name a few. In addition to receiving well-deserved awards, the authors were
also inspired and empowered by Tshepo Tselayakgosi, a keynote speaker hailing
from Botswana, who shared invaluable insight and advice on improving their
craft. During the ceremony, the founder of the awards, Clement Dlamini, took a
moment to address the attendees. He acknowledged the challenges he faced in
organising the awards, particularly the financial constraints that almost led
him to consider discontinuing the event.
However, Dlamini reassured everyone that this edition would not be the last, and
he would evaluate the situation to determine if future awards could be held. He
also expressed the difficulty of securing sponsorships and providing incentives
for winners in specific categories, as the funds relied heavily on voting.
Challenges
Despite the challenges, Dlamini emphasised the importance of the awards,
highlighting that they serve as a means of recognising and empowering writers.
He commended the initiative, stating that the gathering during the awards
ceremony served as motivation for all writers to continue honing their skills,
as writing is a vital and valuable talent. The awards ceremony was not solely
focused on accolades and speeches, as it also featured captivating live
performances by talented individuals. Gospel musician Scara Maziya, Diamond The
Comedian, Prince Cosmo, Poet Siya Imbongi, Masta Mongi, Notik, Crispy Tee,
Mysterious 2, Alec Fathers Hope and Criss Tino all took the stage, showcasing
their exceptional abilities and adding a touch of entertainment to the event.