MBABANE – Eswatini has secured a number of nominations as over 50 locals are set for the Zikomo Africa Awards.
The Zikomo Africa Awards, celebrate excellence across the continent in categories ranging from music, film, journalism and small businesses. The awards have has historically been dominated by powerhouse nations. However, the sheer volume of Eswatini’s nominees this year is an undeniable statement of its vibrant, high-quality and competitive creative output. The nominations span a diverse range of fields, confirming that Eswatini’s rising stars are not confined to a single industry. In sports, football star Kwakhe Thwala of Nsingizini Hotspurs has been notably nominated for the Zikomo Footballer of the Year 2025, an award that recognises outstanding performance. This places him alongside top continental competitors from major clubs. In media and journalism, the media fraternity has also earned its place in the spotlight, with Eswatini Soccer Diski’s Thandeka Khumalo securing a nomination for Zikomo Sports Journalist of the Year 2025, highlighting the excellence of local sports reporting.
Recently, this publication reported that local artist Lady Sphesh clinched two nominations, Best Zikomo Artist of the Year and Best Zikomo Rising Star.
Other local artists who have recently been nominated included Young Zesh, who has been nominated for the Best Zikomo Global Act of the Year 2025 and Kangaroo who has been nominated for the Best Zikomo Music Producer of the year 2025, True Classic Entertainment has been nominated for Best Zikomo Duo/Group of the year 2025. On a small business recognised in Eswatini, Fundiswa Nxumalo, known as Kevin Nails, has been nominated for Best Zikomo Small Business Of The Year 2025.
In an interview, Young Zesh expressed his excitement about his nomination, stating that this recognition is proof that the long nights, the risks, the sacrifices and the belief I had in my music were not in vain. “It validates my voice, my story and the work I put into shaping my sound.
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