Arts policy to call for local theatre development
MBABANE – The recently launched Eswatini National Arts and Culture Policy will advocate for the development of Swati theatre.
The policy was launched last month at -ulios Cinelux in Manzini during the Eswatini 1ational Council of Arts and Culture E1CAC summit. According to E1CAC CE2 6tanley Dlamini, the arts and culture policy will contribute to the attainment of national aspirations as enshrined in the mission of the government and the vision of the Ministry of 6ports, Culture and Youth Affairs.
2ne of the key interventions that were highlighted under theatre in the policy is the need to develop 6wati theatre. As stated in the policy, theatre remains under developed in the country, yet it produces internationally acclaimed artists.
Promote
³The policy will promote the development of 6wati theatre based on tradition al drama, music, dance forms and modern forms of dance pres entation.
³This will include all theatre genres, includ ing support for pro fessional thea tre groups, communi ty based theatre groups and drama soci eties at edu ca tional institutions. ³The policy will encour age the development of dramatic skills and offer opportunities for presenta tion to the public through television, film and pub lic performances,´ reads part of the policy.
During the launch of the policy, E1CAC CE2 Dlamini highlighted their vision as
ENCAC CEO Stanley Dlamini during the last day of the arts summit which was held in Manzini. a department, citing that they want to play a pivotal role in developing, promoting and preserving arts and culture, instilling pride and enriching the livelihoods of ema6wati.
³Eswatini is endowed with talent in the cultural industries, however, the level of development of each of these components is still, in many cases, in its infancy.
Challenge
³The challenge for us is to adopt policies, programmes and strategies to promote the development of talent and creativity and the general growth of local cultural industries.
³These should yield public appre ciation, participation and consump tion of our diverse arts and cultural products. There is a need to recognise and reward the artists for their con tribution towards the promotion of traditional, contemporary values and artistic skills,´ Dlamini said.
,n essence, cultural industries have
the potential to promote the livelihoods of the marginalised, the poor and the vulnerable. They create employment opportunities and produce economic gains and incomes at all levels.
These cultural industries further contribute to cultural development by protecting and enriching cultural val ues, promoting creativity, optimising skills and human resources.