Swazi Observer

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NO COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL THIS YEAR

By Nokwanda Sibandze | 2019-08-22

SAD news for country music lovers as there will no Country Music Festival this year.

This was confirmed by the festival’s coordinator and country music singer Siphesihle Nkwanyana. Nkwanyana said they have decided to host the event once every two years to ensure they plan it properly.

“We have realised for the festival needs a lot of funding and so we will use the one year gap to plan the event and ensure we have enough sponsors for the show,” said Nkwanyana.

The festival is aimed at supporting the arts and culture sector in its initiative of promoting the arts towards the attainment of Vision 2022.

The festival is also said to put the Kingdom of Eswatini on the map through country music and form lasting relations with the corporate world.

“This event will also assist in up scaling young Swati artists and give them the exposure of performing alongside international artists.

This festival will also help to give country music followers the opportunity to mingle in an environment that speaks to them,” she said.

She also mentioned that the country music fraternity was currently focused on helping and supporting their fellow singer Cleopatra on her upcoming trip to in the United States of America.

“For now we are focused on Cleopatra’s trip as she is leaving on October 6.

We are proud of her and being nominated in three categories is a big thing and we hope she wins,” she said.

Last year, the festival saw performances from international acts such as Jason Badley, Rodeo girls, Lance James and Barbara Ray, all from South Africa, and Esther Konkara from Kenya.

Locally, the festival had the likes of Isaac Gamedze, Buddy Masango, Dusty and Stones, CM Simelane, Cleopatra aka Mrs Roses, Learato, Sbu the Cowboy, Zwellie and Sphe.

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