‘CHEEKS’ WANTED AS NEXT ACASWA PRESIDENT!

MBABANE – The new wave of gospel artists believes Mandla ‘Cheeks’ Nxumalo should be the next ACASWA President.

According to the numerous reactions that were on display after a fake list of the next national executive committee came to light, the Leserato Events CEO and Nothando Hlophe Manager could be a new addition to the association.

As if rendering a song on stage, a number of gospel artists were in unison that Nxumalo was the best candidate to lead the troubled association. In recent years, the Association of Christian Artists in Eswatini (ACASWA) was a constant feature on headlines for all the wrong reasons. That is why Zion gospel artist Scara Maziya is of the idea that the input Nxumalo has made in the gospel music industry can help to push the association in the right direction.

“The work he has done as the leader of Leserato Events speaks for itself. He is not only ambitious but also connected, especially in South Africa; something that I believe can be of value to the association. He would be a valuable member to the national executive committee. I think as members of the association, we need to give him a chance. I know we can benefit a lot from him,” the ‘Awphinduzame’ hitmaker said.

Doubles

A fellow rising gospel star, Mcolisi Mhlanga, who also doubles as a songwriter and composer, said Nxumalo was capable of bringing a massive change in the association.

“He is a visionary and he has a wide ranging network in as far as the industry is concerned. However, I have only one fear, he runs a company that manages artists. This makes it so obvious that there will be a conflict of interest and as a result, he will not be able to provide consistent support to the needs of all the artists in the association,” Mhlanga shared.

Founder

One of the artists he manages, female gospel singer Banele Dlamini, concurred that the founder of Swazi Praise was the best candidate.
“He would be the person who is needed for the gospel fraternity,” she said.

Adding to the list that put its weight behind the mentor of gospel music sensation, Nothando Hlophe, was Events Promoter Balindile Thwala. Thwala said the gospel music industry was in need of new people who have the sight for international standards.

“I believe ‘Cheeks’ would be a perfect fit as ACASWA’s president due to his international relations and connections. We need new blood, innovative people who are out there, people who will make things happen. He is goal-driven and if we want to see the gospel music industry at its best level by 2022, I think electing people like  ‘Cheeks’  will help us achieve this goal,” she added.

Nxumalo said such sentiments about him were flattering while adding that he was ready to serve the gospel artists. He said his main aim was to see the gospel industry together with the association reaching a greater height.

Contacted

On another note, when the giants of the local gospel scene, such as MP Mduduzi Simelane and award-winning musician Nduduzo Matse, were contacted, they did not want to be drawn to comment about the latest development as they only chuckled and hoped for spotless and admirable elections results. 

President Dumisani Manana said he was humbled by the belief afforded to him. He said the experience he gained over the years was helping him deliver on the mandate put before him by the membership. 

He has been open about the ACASWA elections as he said he was praying for the association to shift back to its pleasing position, where it would earn upmost respect from the public and its members.
On the other hand, gospel artist Bongani Mvubu was of the view that the association needed someone such as Mathokoza Mthethwa or Dumisani Manana.

Integrity

“The association needs people with good integrity, who will not serve for personal gain but will put the interests of the artists before theirs. The association needs to be run by people known by the public and corporate world and who will command respect because respect has been an issue at the association,” Mvubu said.

He added that a person who has been with the association through thick and thin would be an ideal choice. According to him, a person who has led ACASWA before would know where to fix the association, for it to quickly regain its lost image.

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