Film Association’s efforts crippled
... RISING NUMBER OF ACTORS MIGRATING TO SA CONCERNING
MBABANE – Eswatini Arts and Film Association has mentioned how they have been working tirelessly to aid local actors in their pursuit to explore their talent.
,n this they have hit a brick wall when it comes to getting a platform for artists to showcase their craft, as no T9 station is willing to give local talent a chance. This was revealed by (swatini Arts and )ilm Association 352 =akhele 0abu]a, who was applauding the actors from (swatini who had bagged roles in neighbouring South Africa.
:ith a resolute spirit, the asso ciation highlighted that they cele brated the success of their actors who have found refuge on South African T9 screens, a testament to their tenacity and refusal to give up as there are over actors there.
These local acts are not only just bagging any roles but are doing the most in soapies with huge follow ings, following in the footsteps of Amanda Du 3ont and Nom]amo µ=a]a¶ Dlamini. The soapies that local actors have been featured on include *enerations, ,sitha, Skeem Saam, Scandal among others and now some are also being featured on Netflix series.
Growth
According to =akhele 0abu]a, the association takes great pride in the achievements of these ac tors. 0abu]a believes that their presence on international screens signifies personal growth and de velopment, as their own national television station fails to recognise their potential and provide them with the opportunity to showcase their craft. The lure of better finan cial remuneration outside (swatini is one of the key reasons why these talented individuals seek solace across the border.
³The large number of emaSwati actors in SA is actually a sign of their own personal growth and development as our own national television stations do not recognise their own and they do not give them the opportunity to showcase their craft. The monetary benefits that they get paid for their roles are also small,´ said 0abu]a.
Undoubtedly, 0abu]a affirms that if given the chance, these actors would shine even brighter locally. :ith a local audience watching their performances, the connection would be stronger, allowing viewers to relate to the characters and scenes portrayed on screen. The association envisions a future where (swatini¶s own tel evision industry thrives, boasting a repertoire that captivates and resonates with its people.
+owever, the association un derstands that their efforts cannot solely rely on actors finding oppor tunities abroad.
Collaboration
They are actively working to wards opening more doors for local talent within their own borders. 5ecently, the association made a significant stride by journeying to Durban, a city renowned for its film and television industry, to explore avenues for collaboration and expo sure for (swatini¶s creative talent.
,t was also highlighted that the association currently ventures into rural areas, engaging art ists through art centres, where they have encountered impres sive works by aspiring producers. +owever, a recurring concern persists the lack of interest from local T9 stations to provide air play for these productions. As a result, the creativity and efforts of these talented individuals remain confined to the depths of their computers, yearning for the recog nition and exposure they deserve.
A few of the locals actors who have had screen time in South Africa:
+ORQLSKLOH 6LKORQJRQ\DQH ± has also made an appearance on SA%&
Daily Thetha after getting an acting role on ,sitha and Shaka i/embe. During a previous inter view with this publication, Sihlon gonyane once shared that she was happy to have been recognised as one of the guests during the show. ³, was very happy for them to in vite me as their guest, this means a lot to me as well as to my acting career,´ she said.
/X\DQGD 0ELQJR ± is also cur rently starring on *enerations the /egacy as a security guard.
6LWKHPELVR .XQHQH ± is a ver satile young man that has been featured in a number of projects in cluding adverts and some appear ances on soapies. 5ecently Sthera has been entertaining people with his hilarious TikTok videos.
6HEHQWD 0KODQJD ± has worked with T9 programmes and several plays including ,sitha has empha sised that in the SA film industry they need emaSwati who will fluently speak the siSwati that was spoken a long time ago.
;ROLOH 6KLED from /avumisa has been featured on a number of projects too namely The 4ueen, ,sibaya and Scandal.
*FHELOH 'ODPLQL is an ambitious liSwati who has been bagging dif ferent roles in the SA film industry because of her authentic and pure siSwati.