MBABANE – In a show of support for the kingdom’s vibrant Choral sector by the Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima, the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) sponsored five local choirs with a collective E50 000.
The funding arrived at a critical juncture, as the ensembles prepared to travel to South Africa to compete in the prestigious Tiro Mpane Foundation National Choral Eisteddfod Finals held at Sun City from December 20 to 21.
Each of the five choirs received a contribution of E10 000 to assist with food for the choirs. The sponsorship followed concerns raised by the Eswatini National Choral Music Association regarding government silence until just days before the choirs were scheduled to depart. While the choirs were slated to leave on December 18, Minister Nzima convened representatives for a send-off ceremony that morning at the ministry boardroom.
During the ceremony, the President of the Eswatini National Choral Music Association, Sihle Gumbi, made a direct request to the minister for subsistence support.
“Minister, your children will be leaving and with empty stomachs. We are asking minister for your assistance,” he said.
In his keynote address, the Minister directed ENCAC where the Chief Executive Officer Stanley Dlamini was present, to ensure the choirs did not depart empty-handed and expressed high expectations for the groups to secure top honours.
Reflecting on the support following the competition, Gumbi stated that without the ENCAC boost, the results might have differed as choristers would have taken to the stage hungry and demoralised.
“We are very excited to have made history in the sense that in all categories our choirs won, the best part, we got position one in two categories. We are ruling in the SADC region as Eswatini choirs, we even have choristers such as Thando Zwane who are established now in Europe,” he said.
The Tiro Mpane Foundation National Choral Eisteddfod is renowned for its high standards and competitive rigour, drawing vocal talent from across the region. The foundation assists participating groups by contributing towards transportation and accommodation.
In the Standard Category, Pure Voices secured first position and earned E80 000. His Majesty’s Correctional Services Choir took top honours in the Great Champions Category, walking away with a grand prize of E150 000. Additionally, the Mbabane Methodist Church Choir placed third in the Large Category, earning E60 000.
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