MBABANE – Local creative, Mzwandile ‘Lution’ Nxumalo represented the country during the National Commission for Black Arts and Entertainment (NCBAE) Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Nxumalo says it was an honour to represent Eswatini and contribute to global conversations about the future of arts, culture and creative entrepreneurship.
The conference brought together artists, cultural leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, filmmakers, musicians, designers and policymakers from different parts of the world.
“What stood out most was NCBAE’s belief that the arts are not simply entertainment, they are powerful tools for community impact, cultural preservation, education, financial empowerment, healing and youth development,” he stated.
Nxumalo says that some of the insights he gained from the NCBAE sessions were of the strongest themes throughout the conference and artists must begin thinking of themselves as ecosystem builders rather than just performers. “The creative industry is moving away from a model where success depends only on record sales or performances. Instead, artists are encouraged to build sustainable businesses around their creativity through education, technology, licensing, intellectual property, partnerships, merchandise, tourism and community development,” he said.
Another important lesson he says was the importance of collaboration over competition.
“Across every session, speakers emphasised that the future belongs to creatives who build networks, collaborate across industries and create opportunities together rather than working in isolation. I was also inspired by discussions on preserving cultural identity while embracing innovation. African artists, including those from Eswatini, possess unique stories that the global market wants to hear,” Nxumalo added further stating that rather than copying international trends, they should confidently present their own languages, traditions and lived experiences.
Lution also said that the biggest realisation was that creativity is now being recognised as a serious economic driver. “Governments, businesses and international organisations increasingly see the creative sector as a contributor to employment, entrepreneurship, tourism and social cohesion,” he concluded.
About NCBAE
Founded in 2020,NCBAE is a membership-based non-profit convening, connecting and celebrating Black artists, creatives and arts supporters across genres and generations, from Cincinnati to South Africa, Las Vegas and Oslo.
With community Impact at the heart of what they do, their mission is dedicated to being a leading membership-based arts organisations that amplifies black voices, creativity and stories, fosters an inclusive industry that celebrates the richness of black culture across the arts and entertainment industries that includes arts-based programming for youth.
