NEW SWAMA EXECUTIVE ELECTED

MBABANE - The Eswatini Arts and Music Association (SWAMA) successfully held its elective AGM at the Eswatini Football Association’s Technical Centre at Lobamba on Saturday and a new executive committee was elected.

The incumbent, Lutfo Dlamini, retained the President position after an overwhelming victory, beating five other contenders. Vice President Lindelwa Mafa was also re-elected for the same position. Secretary General Tiyamike ‘Tiyas’ Maziya won unopposed. Former PRO Bongani ‘Tizalami’ Dube was elected as the new Vice Secretary General, while artist Zoë Genesis Monde is the new PRO. Nqobile Simelane retained her position of Treasurer, while the three additional members are Gino Kash, Musenge RJ Chikopa, and Siyabonga ‘The Silent Writer’ Dlamini.

Plans

The new executive will be in office for three years. Meanwhile, newly- re-elected SWAMA President Lutfo Dlamini has unveiled plans to export Eswatini arts to the world stages. Dlamini told the SWAMA AGM that globalisation calls for the arts sector to also tap into international markets given the ease of global trade, travel, and communication. Dlamini also stated that SWAMA was working flat out to get global strategic partners so as to support artists in terms of resources. The full strategic plan of the new executive will be made available soon. Music industry associations do a lot of great work on behalf of their members, ensuring they have a voice and their concerns are heard and acknowledged by government and the media. These associations exist to represent their members and provide valuable insight for outsiders and music industry rookies.

Association

SWAMA is the largest national association of musicians and an affiliate of the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture. The association makes sure that musicians, whose music is played on TV and radio stations, are given royalties. The deal came after the association’s futile efforts of putting it into effect the Copyrights Bill locally. Since then, SWAMA established another wing within the association called SWAMA Publishing Company, which focuses on representing local artists in other countries. They also managed to seal a deal with the South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) to collect royalties in SA on behalf of the association.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: