Home | Entertainment | A night of the stars

A night of the stars

Font size: Decrease font Enlarge font
image

MBABAE-It was a galaxy of stars and personalities at the Matiwane Arts Foundation reception on Friday night.

The event, which took place at the Mbabane Theatre Club featured popular South African songstress Judith Sephuma and her Manager Busi Thabethe, actors Vusi Kunene (former Generations star Jack Mabaso), Rami Do Santo (formerly with Scandal as Mangi’s mother), Zuko Pokwana and Themba Luthuli among other high profile guests from the neighbouring country who are all involved in the arts industry.

The event started a bit later than the initially stated time of 6pm but that was not a glitch as the crowd was kept entertained by the Manzini Youth Care Marimba band.

Its purpose was to launch the new name of the festival as well as to get potential sponsors on board through informing them about the aim of the festival and its symbolic importance.

With the arrival of the main guests, the show began with performances by various local art groups and there were speeches made as well.

The most popular personality with the locals was actor Vusi Kunene who seemed to be at home and going with the flow as he would come up on stage whenever called upon and would clap and whistle during the performances.

Judith Sephuma also got a good round of applause but declined to give a brief performance as per the crowd’s request.

The reception was a major success and it generated much interest for the Swaziland National Arts Festival to be staged as of October 25.

…local dance groups shine

MBABANE – Swazi culture was highly showcased during the event.

From the performances to the dress code by some members of the abundance, there was major dominance from the Swazi Cultural aspect.

Some members of the crowd who included SWANAFE organising committee member Bianca Mordaunt, SNCAC Vice Chairperson Bongani Mamba, and Arts and Culture Director Phinda Nkosi to mention a few were clad in traditional regalia and outfits spiced up with Swazi traditional Kangas.

The performances by various groups including Pelepele Theatre Group, SOS dance troupe, Togo, Buhle Bemaswati, Manzini Youth Care Marimba band, and People’s Educational Theatre also had an element of the Swazi Culture, especially the cultural dances.

Bongani Mamba presented Swazi Kangas to the main guests as a token of appreciation from the Swaziland National Council of Arts and Culture for them attending the event and said this would also be a memento of their visit. The performances were largely appreciated by the crowd who clapped and ululated during and after each and every one of them.

Amanda, Jiggs, Mshikishi and more awarded

MBABANE- The Matiwane Manana Arts Foundation also awarded a few individuals for their enormous contribution to the development of the arts industry in Swaziland.

Before giving out the awards, Chairperson of the Matiwane Manana Arts Foundation, Khethabahle Mthethwa, said it was only proper that people who have been cited to have played a major role in the growth of arts in the country be honoured for their efforts which had not gone unnoticed over the years.

He then announced the list of the individuals who got Honourary Awards which were unique in the sense that they were art pieces in the form of an old man seated and playing makhoyane, a traditional instrument carved out of indigenous wood.

These included Times Managing Editor Mbongeni Mbingo, SWAMA President Mshikishi Mndzebele, Albany Mdlovu, Patricia Earnshaw, Dumisani Mbuli, Mbongiseni ‘Bholoja’ Ngubane, Jiggs Thorne, Maswati Dludlu, Amanda Du Pont, Hlobisile Sikhosana and SATI Board Member Sindisiwe Nxumalo to mention a few.

A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Roost in Signs for the involvement with the Arts Festival over the years.

 

 

 

 

Post your comment comment

Please enter the code you see in the image: