MBABANE – The Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) has announced the formation of interim committees aimed at fostering the development, organisation and recognition of national arts and culture associations across the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The announcement was made on May 20 at the Arts and Culture offices in Manzini. This initiative aligns with the objectives outlined in the National Arts and Culture Policy 2025–2030, which emphasises the importance of a vibrant, organised and sustainable arts and culture sector.
The establishment of these interim committees will serve as a vital step towards creating structured platforms for artists, practitioners and stakeholders to collaborate effectively and promote their disciplines nationally and internationally. The primary purpose of these interim committees is to oversee the formation and operationalisation of various arts associations, ensuring proper registration, governance and programme development. These structures will operate for a period of nine months, beginning in May 2026 and concluding in January 2027. One executive member, Fakazi Samuel, who was appointed as the Chairperson of the Eswatini National Gospel Association, expressed his excitement about the responsibility placed on him.
Speaking after the announcement, Samuel stated that they promise to work. “I would like to appreciate the position , the management has placed me in , we will work and what we can fight for is peace. If we have peace, everything shall go well . We may not foresee the challenges now but with peace, all challenges will be easily tackled,” he said.
Key responsibilities of the committees include coordinating membership registration, developing sector-specific programmes, facilitating capacity-building initiatives, drafting and validating association constitutions and ensuring the signing of recognition agreements with ENCAC. The committees will also promote professionalism, unity and strategic stakeholder engagement within the arts community.
These committees will work collaboratively to ensure the sector’s growth, increased participation and recognition of artists and practitioners across all disciplines, including Hip Hop, Gospel and other genres. The establishment of these interim committees is expected to result in recognised, functional national arts associations, increased registration and participation of artists, improved sector governance and the development of structured programmes for professional growth.
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