BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
EZULWINI – The love of promoting arts and culture has attracted 12 more sponsors for Miss Cultural Heritage 2024/25.
This was seen at the launch of Miss Heritage Culture that was held earlier today (Thursday, June 13, 2024) at the Bethel Court in Ezulwini. The launch also saw a performance by local baritone and bass singer Thando Zwane, who has just returned from Latvia, where he won the hearts of the audience and the Audience Award at the 42nd International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition.
There were also fashion shows by the different regional ambassadors of the reigning Miss Cultural Heritage. In attendance were Lubombo Regional Member of Parliament (MP) Futhi Ngcamphalala, Eswatini Arts and Culture CEO Stanley Dlamini, Chairperson of the Board of Eswatini National Arts and Culture Hhansense Dlamini, and Mathokoza Sibiya, Eswatini National Choral Music Association President Sihle Gumbi. The reigning Miss Heritage Culture Heritage Melinda Mavuso was the programme director.
The Head of Sponsorship for Miss Cultural Heritage, Sandra Ismail, noted in her speech that this year has seen an increase in sponsorship from previous years.
Langalamakhosi Hlatshwayo from Siyanakekela Transformation Agency from South Africa, who was the guest sponsor and partner, announced they will be sponsoring the pageant as well with a few prizes.
Ismail also announced that It’s that any anonymous donor sponsored the next crowned queen to the tune of E10 000 to study at Africa Training Academy for course if her choice.
The new sponsors who have come on board are:
1. Viva Beverages
2. Lactalis (Parmalat)
3. MacMillan Publishers
4. Mbabane Motors
5. Regent Business School
6. MTN
7. Eswatini Mobile
8. Galitos
9. Youth Fund
10. Dixies International
11. Standard Bank
12. Let’s Go Zanzibar
Ismail also thanked the current sponsors for their partnership in previous years. She said, “I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge our sponsors, a very special thank you to the following sponsors, who have been a part of Miss Culture Heritage for some years now;
1. Eclipse Investments
2. Imisebe Publishing
3. The Dash Travel
4. Workers College
5. Eswatini Bank
6. Buy n Save Group
7. Oukitel Eswatini
8. Out of the box media
Miss Cultural Heritage beauty pageant is the most influential pageant in Eswatini. This event provides the outstanding young liSwati lady with a rare opportunity to show their virtues with culture pride, leadership, family values and confidence to succeed in the culture blended society.
It is worth noting that the pageant is to inspire young ladies to take advantage of the rich cultural heritage. It is also meant to promote the country’s national dress and design, making our traditional attire to recognised and acceptable.
Miss cultural Heritage remains obligated to preserving our cultural heritage. Last year regional recruiting was introduced. This gave each region an opportunity to partake in the event and have a regional ambassador to represent each region, unlike in previous years we ran recruits and selected a queen and 1st and 2nd princess.
