Eswatini's Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Senator Pholile Shakantu, has called on the country's young people to utilize the creative arts to share their own stories. Speaking on her behalf at the Genesis Ekucaleni School of Creative Arts Schools Festival, Chairperson of the Eswatini Tourism Authority Board, Penelope Mkhwanazi, emphasized that the youth are Eswatini's future cultural ambassadors. The festival, held at the Mbabane Theatre, marked the beginning of the October International Theatre Festival.
The Schools Festival featured three schools that qualified through the Inyatsi Schools Arts, Drama and Theatre Competitions: Vulamasango High School, Swazi National High School, and Ngomane Primary School. Senator Shakantu's address highlighted that the event was not just a celebration of performance but also of talent, imagination, identity, and possibility. She noted that the stage set for the learners was a classroom, a place of discovery, and a platform for self-expression that could mark the beginning of a lifelong calling.
The minister commended Genesis Ekucaleni School of Creative Arts for its support in preparing the three schools for the festival. The institution provided a director to work with the learners and refine their productions over two weeks. Senator Shakantu praised the school as the proud sponsor of the Schools Festival, stating that its contribution reflected meaningful investment in young people. She emphasized that true sponsorship goes beyond financial contributions, also demonstrated through sharing knowledge, skills, time, and opportunity.
Senator Shakantu congratulated the three schools for their presence at the festival, attributing their success to talent, discipline, courage, and teamwork. She noted that winning the Inyatsi competition was not the end of their journey but rather a new stage of learning and development. The minister encouraged the learners to continue exploring their creative potential, emphasizing that every strong creative industry begins by identifying, nurturing, and believing in young talent.
The festival program included practical workshops to equip learners with hands-on skills in various disciplines, such as Children's Theatre, Creative Writing and Poetry, Directing, Dance, and Theatre. These workshops aimed to expose learners to different aspects of storytelling and demonstrate the diverse career paths available in the arts. The minister emphasized that not every young person would become a performer, but they could become writers, directors, choreographers, producers, or teachers.
Senator Shakantu stressed that the creative arts should not be viewed merely as entertainment but as a critical component in shaping character and creating opportunities. She encouraged the learners to explore the various disciplines that bring stories to life and to consider the arts as a viable career path. By investing in the creative sector, Eswatini can unlock the potential of its young people and promote cultural expression.
The Genesis Ekucaleni School of Creative Arts Schools Festival served as a curtain-raiser for the October International Theatre Festival, which began on Wednesday. The event demonstrated the importance of collaboration between schools, institutions, and government in promoting the arts and supporting young talent. As Eswatini's youth continue to develop their creative skills, they will play a vital role in shaping the country's cultural identity and contributing to its growth.
Key points
- Eswatini's Minister for Foreign Affairs encourages young people to use creative arts to tell their own stories and become the country's future cultural ambassadors.
- The Genesis Ekucaleni School of Creative Arts Schools Festival featured three schools that qualified through the Inyatsi Schools Arts, Drama and Theatre Competitions.
- The festival program included practical workshops to equip learners with hands-on skills in various disciplines, such as Children's Theatre, Creative Writing and Poetry, Directing, Dance, and Theatre.
