AGP Executive Report

SADC Summit Watch: Leaders gathered in Durban for the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit, with security and regional crises (DRC, Madagascar, Mozambique) high on the agenda, and Eswatini’s role in the Organ Troika spotlighted. Eswatini in the Spotlight: Malawi’s Enoch Chihana arrived for SADC meetings with a red-carpet welcome, underscoring the region’s push for peace and cooperation. Music & Fashion Buzz: Swazi-born Amapiano star Uncle Waffles’ bold studio photoshoot sparked viral debate across social media. New Releases: Afro-House DJ Tendaness announced “JikaReloaded” ahead of a Zambia tour, while Young Zesh and Princess Buhlebetive teamed up on “Giya,” a Hip Hop anthem for Umhlanga. Sports & Culture: Eswatini National Games officially launched at Kwaluseni, and the 2nd Annual Park and Chill returns to Matsapha with car categories and live entertainment. Local Creative Industry: Makotopong Sound Studios and Lokuhle Media Group joined forces to boost an artist’s journey, showing how studios and media can build careers. Community Safety Online: Parents raised concerns over the “School Uniform Challenge,” warning that sharing identifiable photos could expose pupils to predators.

YA Literature Spotlight: Elise Chidley shares how growing up on a farm in eSwatini shaped her YA fantasy, The Raven, The Wolf, and The Rose, blending South African nature love with classic reading memories. Regional Security & Culture: SADC leaders meet in Durban for a summit on resilient, inclusive industrialisation, with the SADC Organ Troika (including Eswatini) pushing unity as crises in Congo, Madagascar and Mozambique stay on the agenda. Music & Fashion Buzz: Swazi-born Amapiano star Uncle Waffles’ bold studio photoshoot goes viral, sparking big reactions across Mzansi. Eswatini Creative Collaboration: Makotopong Sound Studios (MSS) and Lokuhle Media Group team up with artist AkuseKhula at the Eswatini Theatre Club to spotlight local creative industry partnerships. Women in Media: A Gender Links study says women’s share of South African news sources has doubled to 40%, but power and expert roles still lag. Football & Community Sport: Eswatini National Games officially launch in Kwaluseni, while Nsingizini Hotspurs Ladies get an Orchard Insurance boost for CAF Women’s Champions League. Local Talent Line-Up: Swazi Rally unveils its first wave of local artists for the Aug 28–30 event at Riders Ranch.

SADC Summit Watch: SADC leaders are in Durban for the 46th Ordinary Summit, with trade, infrastructure and industrialisation on the agenda, while the Organ Troika (including Eswatini) meets to focus on security issues in the DRC, Madagascar and Mozambique. Regional Diplomacy: Malawi’s Second Vice-President Enoch Chihana urged leaders to tackle crises with openness and mutual respect as he represents Malawi at the high-stakes SADC meetings. Music & Events: Afro-House DJ Tendaness announces “JikaReloaded” for Aug 21 and a Zambia tour; Eswatini’s Swazi Rally also drops its first local artist wave ahead of Aug 28–30. Creative Industry Collab: Makotopong Sound Studios (MSS) and Lokuhle Media Group team up to boost an artist’s journey and strengthen local creative partnerships. Sports & Culture: The inaugural Eswatini National Games officially launch in Kwaluseni, while Eswatini prepares athletes for Region V; plus, Park and Chill returns to Matsapha with car culture and competitions. Community & Safety: Parents raise alarms over the “School Uniform Challenge” as thousands of pupils post photos online, fearing predators could use the identifiable trend.

SADC Diplomacy: Malawi’s Second Vice-President Enock Chihana urged Southern African leaders to respond to crises in Congo, Madagascar and Mozambique with openness, mutual respect and shared purpose at the high-stakes SADC summit in Durban. Women’s Football: CAF named Egyptian referee Shahenda Saad Ali Elmaghrabi as centre official for the WAfCON Morocco 2026 final, with VAR support including an eSwatini official. Creative Industry: Makotopong Sound Studios (MSS) and Lokuhle Media Group teamed up with artist AkuseKhula to boost collaboration and African expression in Eswatini’s music scene. Online Safety: A Facebook “school uniform challenge” is raising alarms after thousands of pupils posted photos online, with parents warning it could attract predators. Sports & Culture: Eswatini National Games officially launched in Kwaluseni, bringing 325 athletes and 101 officials for a three-nation showcase. Entertainment & Language: ICT urged broadcasters to standardise SiSwati terminology and grammar to protect the language’s integrity. Electricity Costs: EEC says it will apply for a 2027 tariff adjustment, with a possible increase linked to its financial position.

Creative Industry Boost: Makotopong Sound Studios (MSS) and Lokuhle Media Group teamed up with artist AkuseKhula at the Eswatini Theatre Club, spotlighting African expression and pushing stronger collaboration across recording, production, management and media. Online Safety & Law: A Facebook “baby-daddy shaming” trend naming alleged deadbeat fathers could land users in serious trouble, with potential fines up to E100 000 or jail, raising fresh concerns about cybercrime and data protection. Health & Culture Spotlight: Lokuhle Media also backs rising talent like Nothando Hlophe, while broader entertainment coverage highlights women carving niches in the industry. Government Oversight: PM Russell Mmiso Dlamini says government is within rights to probe The Luke Commission (TLC) after serious allegations. Sports & National Pride: Eswatini National Games officially launch in Kwaluseni, with the country using the event to prepare for Region V. Language on Air: ICT urges broadcasters to protect and standardise SiSwati terminology and grammar. Electricity Watch: EEC signals it may apply for another tariff review for 2027, but stresses applications don’t automatically mean immediate price hikes.

Prison Security & Deportations: A widely shared video from Matsapha Correctional Centre has sparked questions about what deportees can record inside a high-security facility, prompting government to review mobile-phone and recording protocols. Football & Talent Movement: Mbabane Swallows face an exodus of key players ahead of 2026/27, with EFA clearing striker Njongo “Jakalazi” Mazibuko as a free agent and other PSC matters in motion. Sports Spotlight: The inaugural Eswatini National Games officially opened in Kwaluseni, drawing 325 athletes and 101 officials for a three-nation showcase. Arts & Language: Broadcasters are urged to protect SiSwati with consistent terminology and grammar, as language on air shapes how people speak at home and in schools. Music & Culture: Young Zesh and Princess Buhlebetive team up for “Giya,” a cultural Hip Hop single celebrating Umhlanga, while the Swazi Rally reveals its first wave of local artists for Aug 28–30. Community & Creativity: Shiselweni’s NACA regional festival crowned nominees and set up mentorship through the National Music Development Programme.

National Games: Eswatini’s inaugural National Games officially opened on Friday, August 14, at the University of Eswatini Sports Emporium in Kwaluseni, with 325 athletes and 101 officials from three nations set to compete over the coming days. Youth & Sport Pathways: Eswatini will use the National Youth Games to prepare for the Region V Youth Games in Mozambique, with disciplines like athletics, basketball, boxing, tennis, taekwondo, swimming, volleyball and football in the mix. Arts & Language: The Ministry of ICT urged broadcasters to protect and promote SiSwati with consistent terminology and grammar, warning that sloppy usage can ripple into homes, schools and communities. Music & Festivals: ECOFEST revealed its first batch of comedians for September 25 at SibaneSami Hotel, while the Eswatini Farmers Market keeps stacking its lineup with Jazzwrld & Thukuthela joining Zee Nxumalo, Oscar Mbo and Jnr SA for October 10. Community Safety Online: Parents are alarmed by a school-uniform photo trend that’s drawing thousands of pupils online, fearing it could expose children to predators.

Olympism & youth sport: The Sharing Olympism Forum in Maseru (Aug 14–15) is bringing young people from across Africa—including Eswatini—together for debates, poetry, quizzes and essays, with a push for fair competition. Eswatini sport prep: Eswatini will use the inaugural National Youth Games as a key build-up for the Region V Youth Games in Mozambique, with eight disciplines lined up. Circular economy challenge: Southern African entrepreneurs can pitch circular ideas for a shot at R250,000, mentorship and product testing exposure at V&A Waterfront. HIV 95-95-95 spotlight: UNAIDS highlights Cambodia’s success as a model of leadership and community partnership, with Eswatini named among the countries reaching the targets. Music & culture on the rise: Swazi Rally unveils a first wave of local artists for Aug 28–30; Young Zesh and Princess Buhlebetive drop “Giya” (Aug 21) blending Hip Hop with Umhlanga spirit; and ECOFEST announces its first comedian batch for Sept 25. Language & media: ICT urges broadcasters to protect SiSwati with consistent terminology and grammar. Farmers Market heat: Jazzwrld & Thukuthela join the Oct 10 Eswatini Farmers Market lineup alongside Zee Nxumalo and others. Women’s football boost: Nsingizini Hotspurs Ladies get an Orchard Insurance E40,000 boost for the CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers. Libraries go AI: Eswatini libraries train librarians on practical AI tools to modernise services and information management.

Eswatini Film Wins International Buzz: Local film A Dream keeps rolling after winning the “Local Is Lekker” award at the Mpumalanga International Film Festival, with more screenings lined up including the Waterloo Film Festival in Durban. Trade Fair Meets Sport: MulaSport pledged E200,000 to the 2026 Eswatini International Trade Fair, backing volleyball, basketball, netball and cultural dances with E50,000 per code—sport framed as a business opportunity, not just entertainment. CAF Women’s Football Boost: Nsingizini Hotspurs Ladies received an Orchard Insurance boost of E40,000 ahead of the CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Gaborone (Aug 20–29), in a tough Group B with Sundowns and other regional sides. Music & Culture Releases: Young Zesh and Princess Buhlebetive team up for “Giya,” a Hip Hop cultural anthem for Umhlanga releasing Aug 21. Motoring Entertainment Returns: Park and Chill comes back for its 2nd annual edition on Aug 15 at Goldwagon Matsapha, promising builds, music and stance-style competition. Language on Air: ICT urged broadcasters to standardise SiSwati terminology and grammar to protect the language’s integrity across radio and TV. Farmers Market Line-up Grows: Jazzwrld & Thukuthela join the Eswatini Farmers Market (Oct 10) alongside Zee Nxumalo, Oscar Mbo and Jnr SA. Comedy Festival First Batch: ECOFEST revealed early comedians for Sept 25 at SibaneSami Hotel, with more local names still to be confirmed.

Johannesburg Nightlife: The story of 81 De Korte Street’s changing venues—from Puma Social Club to Jozi Gold—shows how live music keeps evolving in South Africa. CAF Women’s Football: Nsingizini Hotspurs Ladies get an E40,000 Orchard Insurance boost for their CAF Women’s Champions League run in Gaborone (Aug 20–29). Swazi Rally Music Line-up: Swazi Rally 2026 drops its first wave of local artists for the Aug 28–30 Riders Ranch event, with K.O already confirmed as a headline. Hip Hop x Heritage: Young Zesh and Princess Buhlebetive release “Giya” on Aug 21, blending modern hip hop with Swati Umhlanga (Reed Dance) spirit. Motoring Culture: Park and Chill returns for its 2nd annual edition on Aug 15 at Goldwagon Matsapha, with categories like King of Stance and Loudest Sound System. Connectivity & Opportunity: A Mbabane panel argues connectivity’s real value is reliability and outcomes, not just cheap data. SiSwati on Air: Broadcasters are urged to standardise SiSwati language use to protect culture and clarity. Electricity Costs Watch: EEC signals it will apply for another tariff review for 2027, with any changes dependent on ESERA’s process. Comedy Festival: ECOFEST reveals the first batch of comedians for Sept 25 at SibaneSami Hotel. Farmers Market Adds Acts: Jazzwrld & Thukuthela join the Oct 10 Eswatini Farmers Market lineup. Libraries Go AI: Eswatini libraries train librarians on AI tools to improve cataloguing and access.

Eswatini Farmers Market: Jazzwrld & Thukuthela join the Oct 10, 2026 lineup at Malkerns Country Club, alongside Zee Nxumalo, Oscar MBO and Jnr SA—more acts still expected. Comedy & Culture: ECOFEST has revealed its first batch of comedians for Sept 25 at SibaneSami Hotel, with organisers stressing it’s not the final lineup. Choral Music Funding: The Tiro Mpane Foundation National Choral Eisteddfod faces major shake-ups—cluster eliminations for Eswatini and neighbours move to Mpumalanga, and transport/accommodation support for finals has been pulled. Language & Media: ICT urges broadcasters to protect SiSwati with consistent terminology, pronunciation and grammar. Electricity Costs: ESERA and EEC signal another tariff review is coming for 2027, with EEC stressing an application doesn’t automatically mean immediate price hikes. Music Awards Buzz: Eswatini’s Nothando Hlophe wins Song of the Year at Basadi in Music Awards, while make-up artist Nomzamo “Zamo” Dlamini takes Make-Up Artist of the Year. Sports & Talent: King’s Cup Golf returns with a bigger E1m prize structure, plus a hole-in-one bonus of E600,000.

Comedy & Festivals: ECOFEST has revealed the first batch of comedians for its Sept 25, 2026 edition at SibaneSami Hotel, with regional guests including Darren, Simphiwe Shembe, Smowkey, Q Dube, OD Brooks, Inspector Pamela, Masapo and Courage—organisers stress this isn’t the final lineup. Music & Lifestyle: Jazzwrld & Thukuthela join the Eswatini Farmers Market lineup for Oct 10, 2026 at Malkerns Country Club, alongside Zee Nxumalo, Oscar Mbo and Jnr SA. Language & Media: The ICT Ministry urged broadcasters to protect SiSwati by using consistent terminology, pronunciation and grammar, warning that on-air language shapes how people speak at home and in schools. Electricity Costs: ESERA and EEC are pointing to another possible tariff increase, with EEC expected to submit a new application for 2027/28 between mid-October and early November. Arts Recognition: Basadi in Music Awards wins keep rolling in for Eswatini—Nothando Hlophe took Song of the Year for “Methodist Medley,” while make-up artist Nomzamo “Zamo” Dlamini won Make-Up Artist of the Year.

Electricity & Cost of Living: Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) says it will file for a 2027 tariff review in October, with any changes expected to take effect from April 2027—though EEC stresses an application doesn’t automatically mean higher bills. Music & Lifestyle: Farmers Market 2026 keeps stacking up big names: DJ Cup and Sibu Manzini join headliner Zee Nxumalo (plus Oscar Mbo) for the Oct 10 show at Malkerns Country Club. Arts Awards & Mentorship: Shiselweni NACA Regional Festival crowned nominees ahead of the national awards, with winners set to benefit from National Music Development Programme mentorship for skills like sound engineering and songwriting. Eswatini on the Regional Stage: Ace Julz brings Eswatini hip hop to Botswana after EU-backed AEPC workshops, using the safari setting to prove art can bridge SADC. Gospel & Recognition: Nothando Hlophe wins Basadi in Music Awards’ Song of the Year for “Methodist Medley,” adding another major win to Eswatini’s growing music footprint. Fashion & Identity: Nomzamo “Zamo” Dlamini takes Make-Up Artist of the Year at the 2026 Basadi in Music Awards, with her first public-vote win.

Shiselweni NACA Creative Festival: Thousands packed King Sobhuza Memorial Stadium as the Shiselweni NACA Regional Festival showcased NACA nominees ahead of winners, with mentorship support from the National Music Development Programme for skills in sound engineering and songwriting. Music & Awards Buzz: Eswatini’s Nothando Hlophe won Song of the Year at the 2026 Basadi in Music Awards for “Methodist Medley,” while make-up artist Nomzamo “Zamo” Dlamini took Make-Up Artist of the Year via public voting. Luju Festival Debate: Mandisa Mamba says mixed reactions to her Standard Bank Luju stage performance won’t define her, sparking fresh talk about how local artists are allowed to express themselves. Gin Garden Festival Line-up: Nia Pearl is confirmed as headline act for Gin Garden Festival on Oct 3 in Ezulwini, with ticket tiers already announced. King’s Cup Golf: The King’s Cup Golf 2026 launches with a E1m prize purse and a E600,000 hole-in-one incentive, plus a broadcast push via SuperSport. Regional Creative Exchange: Ace Julz brought Eswatini hip hop to Botswana’s Echoes of the Wild Festival, building cross-border creative ties. Tech for Culture Access: Eswatini libraries are training librarians in AI to modernise cataloguing, information retrieval and user services.

Luju Festival buzz: Eswatini RnB singer Mandisa Mamba says mixed reactions to her Standard Bank Luju stage performance won’t define her, arguing local artists should get room to experiment and evolve. Music awards shine: Gospel star Nothando Hlophe won Song of the Year at South Africa’s Basadi in Music Awards for “Methodist Medley,” while make-up artist Nomzamo “Zamo” Dlamini took Make-Up Artist of the Year. New festival headliner: Nia Pearl is confirmed as the headline act for Gin Garden Festival on Oct 3 in Ezulwini, with ticket tiers announced. Local sport glamour: King’s Cup Golf returns with a E1m prize purse and a rare hole-in-one prize of E600,000. Creative community spotlight: Shiselweni NACA Regional Festival crowned winners and linked them to mentorship via the National Music Development Programme. Arts + tech access: Eswatini libraries trained librarians on AI tools to boost cataloguing, retrieval and user services. International creative links: Hip hop artist Ace Julz brought Eswatini sound to Botswana at Echoes of the Wild Festival.

Basadi in Music Awards: Eswatini’s Nomzamo “Zamo” Dlamini won Make-Up Artist of the Year, while gospel star Nothando Hlophe took Song of the Year for “Methodist Medley” at the 2026 BIMAs in Johannesburg—both first major public-vote wins that put local talent firmly on the regional map. Luju Festival debate: Mandisa Mamba’s Luju performance sparked online arguments over stage expression and “what’s acceptable,” but she insists one show won’t define her and calls for more room for local artists to evolve. Gin Garden Festival: Nia Pearl is confirmed as headline act for Oct 3 at Sharma House, with early-bird and VIP ticket tiers already out. Golf glamour: King’s Cup Golf returns with a E1m prize structure and a hole-in-one bonus of E600,000, plus a main purse of E700,000. Libraries go AI: Eswatini libraries, via ESWALA and UNESWA, trained librarians on practical AI for cataloguing and information services. CAF football draw: Nsingizini Hotspurs face Zimbabwe’s Scottland FC in the CAF Champions League prelims, while Green Mamba start the Confederation Cup against Angola’s CD 1º de Agosto. Dressage spotlight: Eswatini riders shone at the FEI Dressage World Challenge and 7 Nations Challenge in Malkerns, winning multiple class titles.