Times Of Swaziland: ‘LOCAL IS LEKKER’ FOR  THIS YEAR’S TRADE FAIR

‘LOCAL IS LEKKER’ FOR  THIS YEAR’S TRADE FAIR
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 BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA on 10/08/2018 03:41:00


MBABANE – Local artists are to be empowered in this year’s Eswatini
International Trade Fair (EITF).
Many local artists and their supporters better put on their dancing shoes in
celebration as The EITF 2018 has committed itself to making 60 per cent of the
entertainment from local.
This information was revealed by Swaziland Investments Promotion Authority
Executive Manager for Trade Promotion Bongani Ntshangase while stating that this
year’s entertainment will be set from the day the Trade Fair opens on
September 1 to September 6.
Ntshangase said the remaining  40 per cent of the  entertainment  segment will
be reserved for  international artists. He said that this is so because SIPA saw
it wise to support local talents by complying with the 60/40 rule that is all
for ‘local is lekker’.
“We have partnered with local music associations, the Association of Christian
Artists in Swaziland (ACASWA) and the Swaziland Arts and Music Association
(SWAMA) in ensuring that local artists.
“Currently, we are liasoning with ACASWA President Mzwakhe Myeni and SWAMA
President Melusi ‘Zox’ Dlamini in ensuring the success of the entertainment
as we are more of a business entity,” said Ntshangase.
Performances are set for the opening ceremony on September 1 where gospel music
maestros Nduduzo Matse and South Africa’s Thina Zungu will be performing. In
September 2, there will be a gospel Sunday Show which ACASWA will be executing.
During Umhlanga Day, it will be a family day with fun for the children mostly
and on September 6, there will be performances which will be mainly organised by
SWAMA.