The Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) has revealed the top 20 contestants for the Miss Cultural Heritage pageant. The elimination process was aligned with a wellness programme during the Eswatini College of Theology Wellness Day in Ezulwini. The contestants were questioned about their knowledge of Eswatini culture, including their articulation of the siSwati language. This year's process was designed to prioritize wellness prior to the rigorous rounds.
The competition aims to preserve and promote Eswatini's culture by recruiting young women from all four regions to serve as cultural ambassadors. The Miss Cultural Heritage pageant is part of ENCAC's work under the Eswatini National Arts and Culture Policy. The pageant has previously shown its impact, with current Miss Culture, Yoliswa Manana, launching the Ligcebesha Making Classes. This initiative has enabled young women to earn an income by making ligcebesha.
Mxolisi Dlamini, the Communications Officer at ENCAC, stated that the council decided to align the elimination process with wellness this year. The top 20 contestants were announced after a wellness walk on October 1. The pageant continues to contribute to the preservation of Eswatini's culture and has created entrepreneurs in the regions through its Ligcebesha Making Classes.
The ENCAC Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Dlamini, echoed the significance of the pageant, noting that it has made a substantial contribution to the preservation of culture. He expressed satisfaction with the growth of the pageant, which has created entrepreneurs in the regions. The pageant has also contributed to the fight against unemployment in the kingdom.
The Ligcebesha Making Classes, launched by current Miss Culture, Yoliswa Manana, have been successful in turning ordinary young girls into entrepreneurs and helping to fight unemployment. Manana hopes that ENCAC will continue to expand the project to benefit more girls. The pageant's impact extends beyond the competition itself, with a focus on empowering young women.
Voting for Miss Cultural Heritage is now open on Moja Ticket. The pageant has garnered significant attention, with various stakeholders acknowledging its contribution to the preservation of Eswatini's culture and the fight against unemployment. The top 20 contestants will proceed to the next round, with the competition expected to intensify.
The Miss Cultural Heritage pageant is a significant event in Eswatini, promoting the country's culture and empowering young women. The pageant's focus on wellness and entrepreneurship sets it apart from other competitions. As the competition progresses, stakeholders will be watching closely to see which contestant will be crowned Miss Culture.
Key points
- The Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture has announced the top 20 contestants for the Miss Cultural Heritage pageant.
- The pageant aims to preserve and promote Eswatini's culture by recruiting young women from all four regions to serve as cultural ambassadors.
- The competition has contributed to the fight against unemployment in the kingdom through its Ligcebesha Making Classes.
