MBABANE – South African entity StarRise has officially announced a massive E233 000 sponsorship package for the 2026 Eswatini National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA).
The announcement, made on Friday by StarRise representative Siphakamiso Gumede, introduces a tech-heavy prize tier and a significant opportunity for local artists to gain continental exposure.
Gumede mentioned that this is a joint sponsorship from them, Kuthanda Kwenkosi Foundation and Xaba Brothers. He mentioned that they are excited to be part of the awards to encourage the youth in arts. On Saturday, they signed an MoU with NACA.
StarRise’s investment is heavily focused on equipping local artists with modern technology and digital reach.
The sponsorship distribution includes the base line prize, 55 winners will receive a StarRise satellite dish and decoder complete with a complimentary two-month subscription.
The top 20 winners will walk away with the ultimate tech bundle featuring AS23 tablets, smartwatches, AirPods and the satellite/decoder package.
Beyond the hardware, the sponsorship opens a major door for Eswatini’s top talent. The 20 grand prize winners will automatically stand a chance to be featured in an upcoming original series.
The project, set to air exclusively on StarRise, is a collaborative initiative featuring talent from various African countries, offering Eswatini creatives an unprecedented regional platform.
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... NACA, Thando Comedy sign MoU
MBABANE – The National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA) and Thando Comedy signed a historic memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Saturday.
Speaking on the partnership, Mdura The Comedian, the Chairperson of the Eswatini Comedy Association, outlined the transformative components of the agreement, emphasising that the initiative goes beyond mere performance slots.
Under the terms of this MoU, Thando Comedy Films will conduct at least one talent audition for all of their upcoming shows during the active period of the agreement.
The stakes are high for participants, as the talent search targets both stage performers and digital innovators.
The comic walked through how the scouting and reward system will operate to elevate local talent. The individual crowned Best Comedian from the auditions will be automatically cast in an upcoming production on one of Thando Comedy’s distribution platforms.
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The satellite dish that the winners will be walking away with carried by the Chairperson of the NACA (C), from L-R ENCAC CEO Stanley Dlamini, Mathokoza Sibiya, the Chairperson of the NACA KrTC and Siphakamiso Gumede from StarRise showcases the decoder. (Pics:Takhona Sithole)