MBABANE — In a major boost for Eswatini’s creative economy, the European Union (EU) has officially announced a €55 000 (E1 064 068.05) grant partnership with the Babukisi Foundation and the Mbabane Theatre Club.
The initiative, titled Co-creation of New Heritage Narratives was unveiled yesterday, May 27, 2026, during a launch event held at the Foresters Arms. Funded entirely by the EU, the 15-month project will be implemented under the stewardship of the Goethe-Institut. It aims to blend traditional Eswatini culture with contemporary art to address pressing modern-day social crises, including gender-based violence (GBV) and mental health. Babukisi Foundation and Mbabane Theatre Club applied and they were accepted in January 2026.
Speaking at the launch, Thobejane Magagula of the Babukisi Foundation outlined an ambitious, multi-disciplinary artistic rollout. The project will centre around three distinct creative pillars designed to look back at Eswatini’s roots for answers to modern societal wounds.
“We are looking at three core artistic pieces, including an animation project that maps out the traditional Eswatini calendar of events, specifically spotlighting sacred cultural milestones like Buganu, Incwala and Umhlanga, we will also have a short film,” Magagula explained.
He also explained that they have been running a workshop since last week Sunday and the workshop ends today, where they were sensitised about cultural entanglement.
Magagula emphasised that these stories are not just historical retrospectives, but functional toolkits for social change.
“The narratives will explore how we, as emaSwati, can return to our foundational roots to combat the ongoing crises of gender-based violence and suicide” he said.
Additionally, the project will feature a visual arts exhibition detailing the traditional siSwati names and cultural significance of all 12 months, from January to December.
To bring the project to life, the Babukisi Foundation will collaborate with nine regional creatives, including photographers and other artists. Demonstrating a commitment to cross-border artistic exchange, at least three of these creatives will be selected from the wider SADC region. The culmination of their 15-month effort will include a documentary film and localised multimedia, which Magagula notes will have a global stage.
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Babukisi Foundation Founder Thobejane Magagula. (Courtesy pics)