Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Inyatsi Foundation has stepped into the spotlight as a cultural champion, donating a grand total of E650,000 to power the nation’s creative and empowerment engines.
Of this amount, E500,000 was channelled into the second edition of the Inyatsi Schools Arts and Culture Competitions, while E150,000 was handed over to the Eswatini Network of Women (Eswatini NOW) to further its youth-focused empowerment projects.
This back-to-back sponsorship move has sent waves of excitement across the country’s education, arts, and development sectors, proof that when the private sector backs national vision, transformation is inevitable.
Speaking at the glittering sponsorship reveal held in Mbabane, Inyatsi Foundation representative Gcinekile Nxumalo described the donations as a multi-layered investment in identity, inspiration, and inclusion.
“We’re not just funding events, we’re shaping the next generation,” she said. “We believe that when you fund the arts, you ignite the soul of a nation. And when you empower women, you secure its future.”
Nxumalo also heaped praise on Executive Chairman Michelo Shakantu, whose strategic leadership and passion for inclusive development continues to define the Foundation’s community footprint.
“He is a visionary,” Nxumalo said. “His dream is to see an Eswatini where every child, every young woman, and every aspiring artist has a chance to rise.”
Eswatini NOW’s Deputy Chairperson for Youth Empowerment, Lindelwa Makhanya, welcomed the E150,000 donation with both hands, saying it would go a long way in helping the organisation roll out training programmes, mentorship sessions, and outreach campaigns aimed at grooming young girls into confident leaders and cultural ambassadors.
“This is more than just money, it’s belief in what we stand for,” Makhanya said. “We are deeply inspired by His Majesty King Mswati III’s call to support youth and preserve our rich culture, and this donation will help us do just that.”
She added that part of the funds would be directed toward preparing young women for participation in cultural showcases and debates, as well as supporting their presence at this year’s Schools Arts Competitions.
On the arts front, Eswatini Schools Arts and Culture Association (ESACA) President Ronnie Gamedze couldn’t hide his pride as he reflected on how the support from Inyatsi Foundation has propelled the competitions into the national spotlight.
“People thought we’d fade away after year one, but we’ve come back bigger, better, and bolder,” Gamedze said. “This competition has become more than a stage, it’s now a launchpad for the country’s next stars.”
The 2025 edition of the competitions, themed “Nkwe to Arts and Culture,” promises a diverse showcase of talent, including sibhaca, choral music, drum majorettes, theatre, poetry, storytelling, and creative dance, with thousands of pupils from all four regions expected to participate.
According to Gamedze, one of the key long-term goals is to commercialise the arts and ensure that the talents discovered in school corridors are transformed into marketable skills and viable careers.
“We want to see these learners go on to perform at festivals, get endorsements, and put Eswatini on the cultural map of Africa,” he said. “This isn’t just a donation, it’s seed capital for creative dreams.”
The event also featured performances from last year’s top learners, whose dazzling stage presence reminded everyone in attendance why the arts deserve every cent they receive.
The Ministry of Education and Training, along with the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC), were acknowledged as key stakeholders whose technical guidance and logistical support continue to strengthen the programme.
Also present at the event were school principals, teachers, parents, and regional education officers, many of whom spoke of how the competitions have improved confidence, discipline, teamwork, and cultural pride among learners.
In true Sowetan spirit, where facts meet flair, this is not just another handover. This is corporate conscience in action, fuelled by vision, rooted in culture, and boldly walking the talk.
And if there’s one message echoing from the E650,000 boost, it’s this: in Eswatini, art is alive, women rise, and the future is draped in culture and confidence.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
