MBABANE – The Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) is set to establish a dedicated fund to provide financial muscle to the country’s burgeoning creative sector.
This landmark announcement was made by ENCAC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Stanley Dlamini during the closing session of the third edition of the Eswatini Arts Summit at the Institute of Development and Management (IDM) last Friday, March 13, 2026.
Speaking to a room filled with local musicians, poets, event organisers, DJs and aspiring creatives on the final day of the three-day event, Dlamini emphasised that the council aims to at supporti local talent. The proposed fund is designed to outline clear pathways for how local creatives can access financial benefits and resources to professionalise their craft.
The CEO reaffirmed the council’s unwavering commitment to nurturing local talent, noting that the summit’s theme, ‘Creating Opportunities for Artists’ is a direct response to the national call for youth employment and economic diversification.This was a response to a number of local creatives who were in attendance for the duration of the summit. When given the platform during the question and answer session of the panel discussions, they voiced the need for a fund where creatives can draw resources to produce and market their products.
The closing day also saw a significant show of political support from Hhohho Regional Member of Parliament (MP) Tanele Magagula.
Addressing the summit, the legislator expressed her admiration for the talent displayed and the strategic depth of the discussions held since the summit opened on March 11.
MP Magagula officially pledged her support for the Eswatini Arts Summit. “I pledge to support this event going forward,” she said. She went a step further, promising to be a vocal advocate for the creative industry within the halls of Parliament.
The three-day intensive, which began on Wednesday, March 11, covered critical pillars of the industry.
Day one discussions focused on the Music industry, specifically targeting artists, while day two covered festivals and events and day three focused on film production. The summit featured a powerhouse of speakers, including Vusi Leeuw (President of the South African Music Industry Council) and Dumsani Motsamai (Legal Expert), all aimed at bridging the gap between Eswatini’s raw talent and the global market.
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