MBABANE – The Eswatini Schools Choral Music Competition is proceeding this year without its long-standing partner, EswatiniBank.
The bank, traditionally a pillar of the event, has opted out of the 2026 edition due to what has been described as unforeseen circumstances. According to Jockonias Mandlazi, Secretary of the Eswatini Schools Choral Music Association, the bank’s withdrawal was communicated to them in February this year.
“The bank did not issue an official statement regarding their absence,” Mandlazi noted. “They simply indicated that they are facing certain challenges this year, but expressed their intention to return to the fold in the future” he said.
Despite the absence of the primary sponsor, Mandlazi emphasised that the show must go on. The 2026 competition has been kept afloat through a robust collaborative effort. Mandlazi extended gratitude to the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) and the Ministry of Education, alongside several private companies that stepped in to ensure student talents are not sidelined.
“These partners have ensured that the students’ talent shines in the spotlight even this year,” Mandlazi said. According to Lindiwe Shongwe the Head of Marketing and Communications at EswatiniBank the contract they had with the Eswatini Schools Choral Music Competition was renewal every three years, “After proudly sponsoring the Schools Choral Music Competition for 20 years, the bank concluded its support as part of a strategic re-alignment of its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme. This decision was driven by the need to diversify the bank’s impact and explore new opportunities while continuing to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of Emaswati” she said.
Choral music enthusiasts and parents can look forward to a packed week of vocal excellence. Today the primary schools competition is taking place at Divine Healing Ministries, on June 20 the Elementary and Intermediate competition will be taking place at UNESWA Sports Emporium and on June 21 the Champ of Champs will compete at UNESWA Sports Emporium.
Participation in choral music allows students to showcase raw talent that might otherwise go unnoticed in a traditional classroom setting. Moreover, the rigorous rehearsal process helps students build immense self-confidence and develop a sophisticated sense of teamwork. As the 2026 Eswatini Schools Choral Music Competition approaches, the air in school halls across the kingdom is thick with the harmony of focused rehearsals. For the conductors leading these ensembles, the journey to the stage began long before the first note was sung this term.
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Siteki Nazarene High School on stage during last year’s competition. (Courtesy pic)