Swazi Observer

FULL STORY

2024 AWARD NOMINEES REVEALED

By DEO GRATIAS MAGAGULA | 2024-11-09

The Eswatini arts and culture community gathered yesterday morning for the grand announcement of the 2024 National Arts and Culture Awards nominees (NACAs).

This was at Sibanesami Hotel where the nominee list featured an impressive mix of regional champions and prominent, established artists.

The first ever edition of the NACAs boasts 700 nominees, with 50 winners set to be honoured at the upcoming awards ceremony on December 14.

The venue for the event was yet to be announced.

The NACAs aim was to uplift and celebrate artists on both national and regional levels, emphasising the importance of recognising creative talent from across the country.
Over recent weeks, the NACAs spotlighted grassroots talent through regional awards that culminated in the selection of winners now set to compete against seasoned artists.

Media personality and hip-hop artist KRTC, who hosted the announcement, emphasised that being awarded by industry peers and fans is one of the greatest achievements for any creative.
He likened it to the thrill of performing at sold-out concerts or achieving record-breaking sales.
highlighted

KRTC highlighted that NACAs’ mission: to honour and uplift those who use the language of art to tell compelling stories.

"Today, we gather to honour our artists, the dreamers, and the storytellers who inspire us all," he said.

NACA Chairperson Sipho Makhabane expressed gratitude to the Arts and Culture office for supporting this initiative.

He urged artists to remain unified, excel in their craft, and prioritise professionalism in their public image. We are thrilled by the enthusiasm shown by the artists. We encourage media outlets to support them as they campaign for votes,” Makhabane said.

Adding humor to the event, the comedic duo Darren and Bongiswa, who are also nominees, shared a few light-hearted moments.

The black-tie affair also featured a high-energy performance from the award-winning gospel group, Shiba and the Travellers, who thrilled the crowd with their iconic song “Indaba Yesiphambano.” Poet Christian Maz captivated attendees with a soul-stirring performance.

CEO Stanley Dlamini urged artists to rally support for votes and called on established artists to engage fully to cement the event’s credibility.

He hoped the NACAs would become a life-changing platform for artists, with community backing playing a pivotal role. "Artists should celebrate themselves and their profession, making it more appealing to their fans," Dlamini said, hinting at an upcoming arts summit for the nominees and revealing that winners will receive trophies and cash prizes.

1.SLOMOES OUTSTANDING ARTIST
n Fakazi Samuel
n Bongani Scara Maziya
n Africa Musa Dlamini
n Young Zesh
n Gedlembane
n M Nation
n Shongwe and Khuphuka
n Phetsile Masilela
n Sphiwo Ndoni

2.MOLLIS OUTSTANDING GOSPEL ARTIST
n Lillies Choir
n Wandile Sithole
n Dudu Magongo Mhlanga
n Lucia Kate
n Linda Dlamini
n Phetsile Masilela
n Shongwe and Khuphuka
n Sphiwo Ndoni
n Phathwakahle
n Nothando Dlamini

3.OBSERVER NEWSPAPER OUTSTANDING POET
n Melizwe Dlamini
n CEBZA DE POET
n Msandie kaBaba
n Mzide Poet
n Hlanze Temvelo
n Mo Cats
n Mavara The Poet
n Christian Maz

4.OUTSTANDING FEMALE
n Stella Jacobs
n Portia Praise
n Phetsile Masilela
n Mvelo
n Nothando Dlamini
n Phathwakahle
n Nothando Hlophe
n Mandisa Mamba
n Lady Sphesh

5.POSITIVE NEWS OUTSTANDING NEWCOMER
n Trend Twins
n Flip De Boss
n Buhle Matsenjwa
n Liyana
n Scinzo
n Kansas Notik
n Grixxly
n Cool Drops
n Lady Sphesh

6.FINANCIAL TIMES OUTSTANDING ACTOR
n Siphosethu Sibandze
n Siyabonga Lazaru Nkambule
n Samkeliso Dlamini
n Gift Shongwe
n Thembinkosi Mthethwa

7.SUNDAY NEWS OUTSTANDING ACTRESS
n Mbali Didie Mshengu
n Phumzile Dlamini
n Setsabile Masina
n Sibonisiwe Dlamini
nMandisa Mamba

8. DOT.MEDIA OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHER n Phindile Dlamini – Trend Twins
n Mr Sey – Ndzevane Dance Group
n Dumisani Simelane – Dynamics Groovers
n Dalas – Dalas Crew
n Velile Dube – Talent Motion

9.EIPA OUTSTANDING ALBUM
n Young Zesh
n Cleopatra
n M Nation
n Shongwe and Khuphuka
n Phathwakahle

9. ESWATINI TV OUTSTANDING HIP HOP
n Young Zesh
n Wandile Sgetchuna Zulu
n Lution
n Eimsolfy
n AMARII
n Oriiginelle
n Bluu Jay
n Yung TMPO

10. OUTSTANDING MUSIC VIDEO
n Lyrikal Busta
n Samu Once Again
n Bandzile Gina
n Scinzo
n RockBoi
n Young Zesh

12. EBIS OUTSTANDING MALE
n Lyrikal Busta
n Criss Tino
n Shongwe and Khuphuka
n Zwile Bhembe
n Sphiwo Ndoni
n Gedlembane
n M Nation

13. EBIS OUTSTANDING DJ
n Deejay Cup
n DJ Zulu D
n Culo
n DJ Matamza
n Trend Twins
n ItsallBlaQ
n Sbu The Drum DJ

14. OBSERVER NEWSPAPER OUTSTANDING COUNTRY ALBUM
n Cleopatra
n The Country Soul
n Demaco Voices
n The Roots

15. NACA OUTSTANDING SONG
n Fakazi Samuel -
n Samu Once Again – Ama 2000
n Dudu Magongo Mhlanga -
n Mcebo Nkambule -
n Phetsile Masilela – Umus’Ongaka
n Young Zesh – KaKhoza
n M Nation – Inhlitiyo
n Shongwe and Khuphuka – Izindaba Zabantu

16. OUTSTANDING DESIGNER
n Nkosinomusa Gumbi
n Ncobile Msibi
n Angie Msibi
n Ntsiki Dlamini
n Temalangeni
n Nosisekelo Hlatshwayo
n Londiwe Nxumalo
n Carol Lubelo

17. SILOMO OUTSTANDING INDIGENOUS ARTISTn Tfobhi Shongwe
n Gogo Mphila
n Bheki Nhleko
n Masikane
n Buhle Bemasiko

18. OUTSTANDING FINE ARTIST PAINTING             n Zeus the Ink
n Mpendulo Daniel- Dawd Studios
n Ulamgangela Creations
n Thembinkosi Mabuza

19. OUTSTANDING FINE ARTIST- EXHIBITION      n Ulamgangela Creations
n Cebsile Dlamini
n Lwazi Mlambo

20. OUTSTANDING AFRO POP/SOUL ARTIST         n Big Swazi
n Sanele Thabede
n Zwile Bhembe
n Sihlelelwe Gama
n Fufu
n M Nation
n Young Zesh
n Mvelo
n Lady Sphesh

21. OUTSTANDING CLASSIC OF ALL TIMES
n Mshikishi – Solomon
n Ncandweni Christ Ambassadors – Ekucaleni
n KomhlabSiyinqaba - Gwayimane
n Shiba and Travelers – Sajika Ekufeni
n Shongwe and Khuphuka – Konkhe Kuhamba
n KahleDiba Diba – Ingadla
n Fanaza Tsabedze – KaLobamba

22. OUTSTANDING MUSIC PRODUCER
n Seime Stones
n Sean Cast
n Slotta
n Sicelo Dlamini
n Siyah Maphanga
n King Kangaroo
n Lisulumane
n Dj Citie

23. ESWATINI SUNDAY OUTSTANDING COLLABORATION
n Buhle Matsenjwa ft Nomini Nyawose
n Samkelo Kenny G ft Jumbo (SA)
n Sarnilo ft Zulu Boy
n M Nation, Dj Citie, Histo
n Lady Sphesh ft TPZ
n Sphiwo Ndoni ft Mpumalanga Praise
24. OUTSTANDING FESTIVAL    VOTING LINE
n The Farmers Market
n Makoti Festival
n Limuva Festival
n Mlawula Camp Festival
n Epig Gig
n Bush Fire
n Riders Rally

25 ESWATINI DAILY OUTSTANDING SONGWRITER
n Suks Sukati
n Sphiwo Ndoni
n Nomalungelo Dladla
n Tanele Shongwe
n Muzi Ngwenya
n Masikane
n Bholoja
n Sandziso
n Mathokoza Sibiya
n Melisizwe Zwane

SCHOOL CUTLURE CATEGORIES
26. OUTSTANDING ACTOR (SCHOOLS)          n Melusi Matsebula {Timphisini high}
n Mamba Baphelele {Elangeni High}
n Melizwe Dlamini {Lobamba National High}
n Sizolwethu Mbhamali {Somjalose High}
n Mbuyiselo Mondla{Ngomane Primary}

27. OUTSTANDING ACTRESS (SCHOOLS)
n Nosipho Mabuza{ Timphisini High School }
n Siphesihle ZWANE { Elangeni high }
n Hlobasile Ginindza{ Lobamba National HIGH}
n Tandzile Msibi {Somjalose High}
n Anele Mabuza{ Ngomane High School

28. OUTSTANDING SIBHACA (Schools)
n Duze High School
n Mbhadlane Cultural Group
n Elangeni High School
n Lobamba high school
n Ngwane Central High
n Ngudzeni High School
n Moyeni High School
n Global Rivival Primary
n Somjalose HIGH

29. OUTSTANDING INGANDLA (Schools)
n Elangeni High School
n Timphisini High School
n Mbhadlane Cultural Group
n Lavundlamanti High School
n Global Revival Primary
n Somjalose High School

30. OUTSTANDING UMMISO (Schools)
n Lavundlamanti High School
n Timphisini High School
n Somjalose High
n Global Rivival Primary
n Moyeni High School
n Ngudzeni High School
n Lobamba National High

31. OUTSTANDING TRAINER (Schools)
n Mndeni Thwala {Duze high}
n Phumlani Mamba {Lavundlamanti High School}
n Sindile Nxumalo {Timphisini High School}
n Siboniso Dlamini{ Elangeni High School}
n Senelo Dlamini { Lobamba National High}
n Makahonkhe kirst Dlamini {Ekuthuleni High}
n Leonard Mngometulu{ Ngudzeni High}
n Thabo Magagula{ Moyeni High School}
n Thulisile Motsa { Somjalose High}
n Thandie Mlotsa { Ngomane Primary}

32. OUTSTANDING Soloist
n Mancoba Malaza
n Philisiwe Dlamini
n Samkelisiwe Buhle Shongwe
n Mandisa Blessing Gumedze
n Gcinile Mkhabela
n Zweli Msibi
n Thando Zwane

33. OUTSTANDING COMEDIAN VOTING LINE
n Gogo Na Slwane
n Cedric Simelane
n Gedlembane
n Darren & Bongiswa
n Sbu Ngwenya

34. OUTSTANDING YOUNGEST STAR (under 14)
n Ozanenkosi Sithole – Poetry and Drama
n Ndoniyamanzi – Dancer
n Samkelo – Actor & TV Presenter     – DJ

35. OUTSTANDING MODEL    VOTING LINE
n Sethu Shongwe
n Tandzile Ndlangamandla
n Wendy Bexter
n Nondumiso Msibi
n Nomcebo Tsabedze
n Bongani Dlamini
n Lerato Abner

36. OUTSTANDING MBHAQANGA OR MASKANDI
n Trevor
n Mshikishi
n Umfana Webhejisa
n Makhenikha
n Khethakahle
n Kitazile Mamba
n Wandile Mthimkhulu

37. OUTSTANDING SIBHACA
n Maphalaleni
n Ngevini
n Buseleni
n Mbelebeleni
n Mkhweli
n Ezulwini

38. OUTSTANDING INGADLA
n Buseleni
n Mkhuzweni
n Ngculwini
n Mkhweli
n Mcengeni
n Maphalaleni

39. OUTSTANDING EMAJAHA
n Buseleni
n Mkhuzweni
n KaLanga
n Tfuntini/Nkambeni
n Nkamanzi

40. OUTSTANDING LUTSANGO
n Nkwene
n Mcengeni
n Bhekinkhosi
n Hlane
n Ngculwini
n Lavumisa
n Ntondozi

41. OUTSTANDING CULTURAL/TRADITIONAL EVENT
n Umhlanga Reed Dance
n Marula Ceremony - Emaganu
n Butimba
n Sibhimbi

42. OUTSTANDING TRADITIONAL GOSPEL (Accapella)
n All Nations Church Choir
n Amadodana AseLwandle
n Umkhumbi Wamaphiko
n Believers In Christ
n Idwala laseJericho
n Bethlehem
n Indumiso ZabaPostoli

43. OUTSTANDING CHORAL GROUP
n Correctional Choir Services
n Manzini Choir
n RSP Choir
n Sweet Sounds
n Methodist Choir
n Pure Voices
n Emmanuel Choir

44. HONOu RARY AWARDS
n lifetime achievement x 2 (arts and culture recipient)
n arts service
n Culture service
n chairman’s award
n minister’s award
n prime minister’s award