MBABANE – The Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima has recognised and rewarded the Eswatini Choral groups that represented the country at the recent Tiro Mpane final competitions.
The event, held at Sun City, South Africa, from December 20 to 21, 2025, saw five of the kingdom’s premier Choral groups compete on an international stage after their success during the Tiro Mpane regional eliminations held at Esibayeni Lodge in October. Following their medal haul, government has moved to motivate the groups with financial awards totalling E35 000.
The Eswatini delegation secured top-tier placements across various categories of the competition. Minister Nzima expressed pride in the technical excellence displayed by the choristers, noting that their success serves as proof of the talent inherent in Eswatini’s cultural sector. He stated that other countries should know that Eswatini is untouchable when it comes to Choral music.
Appreciating the choirs, the minister used the slogan: “Umntfwana losebentile uyaphiwa emaswidi,” (If you work hard you get sweets).
Other notable participants who represented the country included Manzini Choir and Dolce Harmony Chorus. His Majesty’s Correctional Services Choir secured first position in the Great Champions category and was awarded E20 000.
Pure Voices took first position in the Standard category and received E10 000, while the Mbabane Methodist Church Choir finished in third position in the Large category and was awarded E5 000.
Before the choirs departed for the competition on December 18, 2025, the minister had held a send-off ceremony. Through the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture, the minister contributed E50 000 to the choirs to ensure they did not perform on empty stomachs. Other sponsors such as Waterman Eswatini provided water for the choristers.
Appreciating the support, Eswatini National Choral Music Association President Sihle Gumbi mentioned that the E50 000 assisted the choirs significantly.
“This support also contributed to the results we came back with, because our choristers did not go to the stage on an empty stomach,” Gumbi said.
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