MBABANE – The University of Eswatini (UNESWA) has officially launched its new Arts and Culture Society, known as Inkhundla Yemakhono Nemasiko eUNESWA.
The decision to relaunch the society was sparked by the huge success of the first-ever UNESWA Culture Day held on May 1, 2025 at the Sports Emporium.
The event was run entirely by students, guided by Nkosinathi Matse, the Director of Culture and Entertainment at Kwaluseni Campus. The original idea for the Culture Day came from Richard Dlamini, who helped form the organising team. The Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC), led by Chief Executive Officer (CEO)Stanley Dlamini, provided sponsorship for the sound system, gifts and refreshments. The Babuki Foundation helped with sessions on traditional Swati songs. Lethumusa Simelane from the Eswatini National Museum was the main guest speaker, inspiring the crowd with his address.
During the successful Culture Day, Dlamini encouraged students to formally revive the dormant Arts and Culture Society. Dlamini explained ENCAC’s view on the need for the society, stating: “We advised students to form a culture society in the institution to mainstream UNESWA cultural programmes to national culture programmes.”
The university management, represented by Warden Khona Dlamini, fully supported this idea.
Following the event, the founding members, despite a small setback in the registration process, remained determined. Forming Libutfo Lembali, a UNESWA group, to participate in the 2025 Umhlanga Reed Dance. Over 150 students signed up, but the plan was put on hold by the then-Student Representative Council (SRC) until the new society was officially formed.
Encouraged by Siphosethu Dludlu, the Kwaluseni Campus Chairperson, students worked quickly during the 2025/2026 academic year to establish the group.
Richard, the Organiser of the Culture Day and the newly elected Chairperson of the society, spoke of his vision:
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