Africa-Press – Eswatini. Nedbank Eswatini has announced a sponsorship contribution of E80 000 towards the upcoming Eswatini National Media Awards, reaffirming its commitment to initiatives that promote ethical leadership, positive social impact and national development.
The sponsorship underscores Nedbank Eswatini’s continued support for institutions that strengthen transparency, accountability and informed public discourse. Speaking during the announcement, Nedbank Eswatini Managing Director, Fikile Nkosi, highlighted the critical role played by the media in society.
“The media, as members of the Fourth Estate, play a critical role in informing, educating and empowering communities,” Nkosi said. “A strong and ethical media sector fosters transparency, accountability and dialogue, which are key pillars for community development and sustainable economic growth.”
Nkosi said Nedbank’s purpose is centred on doing good for individuals, families, businesses, communities and society at large. Supporting the Eswatini National Media Awards, she noted, aligns seamlessly with this purpose by recognising excellence in journalism, strengthening the sector’s capacity to serve the public interest and promoting high ethical standards in reporting.
“We believe that when the media thrives, communities thrive. And when communities thrive, so does the economy,” she said. “This sponsorship reflects our commitment to partnerships that make a meaningful and lasting difference in the communities we serve.”
The Eswatini National Media Awards are jointly stewarded by the Eswatini National Association of Journalists (ESNAJ) and the Eswatini Editors Forum (SEF), working alongside implementing partner, the Marketing Advertising Research Council (MARC). The awards were recently relaunched following a strategic review, aimed at restoring them as a credible national institution after a twelve-year hiatus.
The relaunch seeks to reposition the awards as a respected platform that celebrates journalistic excellence, professionalism and integrity, while encouraging innovation and responsibility within the media sector.
Welcoming the sponsorship, ESNAJ expressed deep appreciation for Nedbank Eswatini’s early and continued support of the initiative. The association described the sponsorship as both timely and significant, noting that it will play a key role in ensuring the success of the awards.
“We, as ESNAJ, are thankful to Nedbank Eswatini for this generous sponsorship, which will go a long way in making the National Media Awards a tremendous success,” the association said. “Nedbank Eswatini was the first institution to believe in this project and recognise the value of investing in it. For that, we are deeply grateful as we embark on a long journey to revive the Association and restore credibility to the profession.”
ESNAJ further noted that Nedbank’s support represents more than financial backing, describing it as a vote of confidence in the media sector and its role in strengthening democracy and good governance. The association said it was encouraged to have a corporate partner willing to walk alongside journalists as they work to rebuild trust and professionalism within the industry.
The Eswatini Editors Forum also echoed the importance of strong partnerships in advancing professional standards and reinforcing institutional credibility within the media landscape. SEF noted that collaboration between the private sector and media bodies is essential for the long-term sustainability and growth of quality journalism.
The Eswatini National Media Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in journalism across multiple categories. They aim to inspire continued excellence, integrity and innovation, while recognising journalists who contribute meaningfully to national development through their work.
The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Monday, 22 December 2025, at Royal Villas in Ezulwini.
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