Africa-Press – Eswatini. Exciting news is on the horizon for Eswatini’s cultural landscape! The Eswatini Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Society (ESWACOS) has launched a groundbreaking initiative titled “Reinforcing Copyrights for Eswatini’s Cultural and Creative Industries.”Funded by UNESCO’s International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD), this transformative project is set to kick off in August 2025 and will run through September 2026.
The IFCD, established under the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, aims to support developing nations in enhancing their creative sectors. With Eswatini as a proud signatory to this international treaty, ESWACOS is taking significant strides to empower local creators and strengthen copyright governance.
This initiative focuses on addressing critical gaps in copyright knowledge and management within Eswatini’s vibrant creative sector, emphasizing three key pillars:
Capacity Building: Over 400 creators including authors, producers, and performers, will receive essential training in copyright and neighbouring rights management. Workshops will be held across all four regions of Eswatini, covering everything from copyright fundamentals to compliance processes for users like broadcasters, retailers, hotels, restaurants, and music festivals.
Strategic National Development: A comprehensive five-year national strategy for collective copyright management will be developed through consultations with stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and international experts. This strategy aims to ensure effective commercialization of creative works and will be celebrated at the inaugural Eswatini Copyright Conference, an annual event for ongoing review and adaptation.
Public Awareness and Education: The project will produce a wealth of educational materials—pamphlets, infographics, a short film, podcast series, and short-form videos—to raise awareness and appreciation of copyright and neighbouring rights. A new online copyright resource center will also be established, featuring registration and licensing functionalities to enhance accessibility.
Boosting Eswatini’s Creative Economy
Eswatini’s creative industries are a vital part of the national economy, ripe with potential for job creation and youth empowerment. This project aims to:
– Increase Fair Compensation: Improved copyright registration and royalty collection systems will ensure creators receive their deserved earnings.
– Foster Compliance Culture: Educating users will reduce copyright infringements, promoting legal usage of creative works.
– Strengthen Sustainability: By professionalizing the creative sector, quality employment opportunities will emerge, particularly for young artists and cultural professionals.
– Enhance Public Understanding: Promoting respect for copyright will help preserve cultural heritage and instill national pride.
A Vision for the Future
Mmeli Hlanze, the project’s lead, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative: “We are proud to launch this transformative project aimed at empowering Eswatini’s creators and cultural industries through enhanced copyright knowledge and strategic frameworks. Copyright is the backbone of a thriving creative economy. By bridging critical knowledge and strategy gaps, this project will open new pathways for sustainable careers, particularly for our youth, who are the future of Eswatini’s vibrant cultural heritage.”
This pioneering project promises to usher in a new era for Eswatini’s cultural and creative industries, paving the way for a more robust and equitable creative economy. Stay tuned for updates as this exciting journey unfolds!
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