Times Of Swaziland: ARTS LEADERS PIN HOPES ON UPCOMING BUDGET SPEECH ARTS LEADERS PIN HOPES ON UPCOMING BUDGET SPEECH ================================================================================ Neliswa Sibiya on 11/02/2025 07:47:00 MBABANE - As Eswatini braces itself for the much-anticipated national budget speech, scheduled for Friday, all eyes are on government’s financial priorities for the year. Across various sectors, there is palpable hope for increased financial allocation to support growth and innovation. Among the hopeful voices are those from the arts and culture sector, which has seen significant strides in recent years and is now urging for greater recognition and funding.The creative industry, often described as the heartbeat of Eswatini’s cultural identity, has high expectations for this year’s budget. With remarkable achievements in 2024, including international accolades in music, film and visual arts, stakeholders are calling for an increment in funding to further nurture the sector’s immense potential. Presentation The Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima, shared his insights ahead of the budget presentation, emphasising the critical role of arts and culture in national development. “The upcoming budget speech is always a critical moment for the nation, as it sets the financial direction for key sectors, including arts and culture,” Nzima said. The minister highlighted the arts industry’s potential as a driver of economic growth, job creation and youth empowerment. He stressed the importance of recognising the sector not only as a platform for cultural expression, but also as a contributor to the country’s GDP. “We hope to see increased support for artists, filmmakers, musicians and other creatives through enhanced funding, infrastructure development and policy support,” he added. Nzima also pointed to areas requiring urgent attention, such as Arts education, grants for emerging talent and initiatives to showcase Eswatini’s creative prowess on regional and global stages. He also called for policies that encourage public-private partnerships to ensure the sector’s long-term sustainability, underlining the ministry’s commitment to working with all stakeholders. Mandate “Our mandate as a ministry is to create an enabling environment for the development of the arts and culture industry. This includes policies, infrastructure, legislation and resources,” Nzima said. He further noted the importance of fostering mass participation in various arts disciplines, vibrant national programmes and regional collaborations that could create multiple income streams for local artists. Leaders within the creative community echoed the minister’s sentiments, underscoring the need for increased investment in the arts. The President of the Choral Association Sihle Gumbi expressed a deep desire for more funding, particularly for Choral music, which has consistently put Eswatini on the map through international competitions. “One would love to give praises to His Majesty the King for such a wonderful speech, especially regarding the increment of elderly grants. However, I would also like to see an increase in subventions towards arts and culture. Choral music has never disappointed when competing outside the country, and it’s time we invest more into it as a nation,” he said. The president further highlighted how supporting Choral music could stimulate the local economy. “It provides opportunities for tailors who make choir uniforms, caterers who prepare meals for choristers and make-up artists. These are just a few examples of how the arts create economic ripples,” he said. Growth Similarly, Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture Chief Executive officer, Stanley Dlamini, emphasised the sector’s capacity to generate economic growth. “Economic growth in all areas of our sector is possible, creating multiple streams of income for our artists,” he said. He urged government to prioritise the cultural industries as a means of diversifying the nation’s economy. Philani MaSwati Chairman, Lutfo Dlamini, also shared his optimism while voicing concerns about the challenges faced by local artists. “I will start by wishing the minister the best of luck for the speech, our arts industry has so much potential. If you look around the world, some of the wealthiest people are in the arts, musicians and those in the television space,” he said. The chairman lamented the lack of support for local creatives, despite their immense talent and the richness of Eswatini’s musical heritage. “Music from our locals is very rich. It has the potential to create ambassadors for this country and make it famous. We hope the minister will address this and give our artists the recognition they deserve,” he said. The Arts and Culture sector is more than a celebration of creativity, it is a critical contributor to Eswatini’s economy and social fabric. By investing in the creative industries, government can unlock opportunities for youth employment, foster entrepreneurship and promote the nation’s cultural heritage on a global stage. Research Research from global markets illustrates the economic power of the arts. Countries that prioritise funding for creative industries often see returns in the form of tourism, export growth and enhanced national branding. Eswatini is no exception, its talented artists, filmmakers, musicians and writers have the potential to elevate the nation’s profile internationally. As the budget speech approaches, the arts community remains hopeful that their voices will be heard. Increased funding, coupled with supportive policies, could transform the sector into a thriving industry that not only enriches Eswatini’s culture, but also bolsters its economy. The upcoming budget presentation has become a rallying point for the arts sector, with stakeholders united in their call for greater recognition and investment. Whether through enhanced funding, infrastructure development or policy reforms, the sector is ready to take bold steps forward, if given the resources it needs.