Times Of Swaziland: SWAZI ARTIST FOR ‘ALL  AFRICA  SONG’ CONTEST

SWAZI ARTIST FOR ‘ALL  AFRICA  SONG’ CONTEST
================================================================================
BY NHLANHLA MATHUNJWA on 19/08/2014 06:06:00


MBABANE – A lucky musician stands to win a lifetime opportunity as Swaziland
through the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs has been asked to
select an artist that will take part in the ‘All Africa Song Contest’.
The ‘All Africa Song Contest’ is a television musical competition to
showcase Africa’s diverse talent.
The project that is expected to bring most African countries together has the
backing of UNESCO, the African Union, and is being sponsored by Coca Cola at
this initial stage.
Already the organisers of the contest have communicated formally to the ministry
requesting that a name of an artist be submitted.
Each African country is expected to nominate an act (a singer or a group) to
compete in the contest.
Nomination
The nomination of the artist is expected to be done before September1, as the
organisers want the name of the artist and his or her contact numbers.
In a letter sent to the David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala, Minister of Sports,
Culture and Youth Affairs by Zeinab Badawi Project Convener and All Africa Song
Contest Presenter, the name of the artist should be sent to them as soon as
possible.
“We are requesting that your ministry nominate the act to represent your
country in the ‘All Africa Song’ contest.  Please provide us with their name
and contact details once you have decided who will represent your country so
that we may contact them directly,” reads part of the letter.
“We are keen to make rapid progress with the preparations for this wonderful
project and we are counting on you for your co-operation and support.
Ambassadors
“I have already briefed the Africa group of ambassadors at UNESCO’s
headquarters in Paris last December and the project was extremely well received
by them.
Badawi emphasised that they need the name of your nominated singer or group as
soon as possible or at the latest by September 1, 2014.
“We are anxious to meet this deadline so that the contest can take place in a
period that has marked the 5th anniversary of the founding of the African
Union,” said Badawi.
The Minister said associations such as the Swaziland Music and Arts Association
(SWAMA) will have to decide as to which artist will take part in the contest.
Consultation
The minister informed the artists about the invitation during SWAMA’s annual
general meeting further on urging the association to find a way of selecting the
artists in consultation with the Swaziland National Council of Arts and Culture
(SNCAC).
Stanley Dlamini, SNCAC Chief Executive Office, said they were aware of the
invite saying they will be engaging the association on the criteria that would
be used when selecting the artist. He said since the organisers wanted the name
as soon as possible, they will make sure that the selection is done immediately.