BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE- “Welcome to my YouTube channel, do not forget to like, comment and subscribe.”
If you are an internet person then you are used to hearing this intro all over YouTube and now you are hearing it more from local content creators and creatives.
Eswatini YouTubers have entered the chat and nothing is the same anymore, the local stars have changed the game and narrative by putting Eswatini on an international scale with the content they put out on their YouTube videos.
The country has over 30 YouTubers and all of them have their own unique way of putting together their content which sometimes involves touring the country and visiting places of interest and sharing their opinion and views on them.
The current Youtubers to watch out for who have been working tirelessly to produce content and get endorsement deals include Titi Tshangase, Mrs Skeel , Tebe Nxumalo , Zindzi Thwala and Minelenhle Mavuso. The aforementioned creatives have been applauded on their clean cut vlogs and interaction with viewers.
Having started ‘YouTubing’ this year and some month ago and others have been doing it for years, one thing that stands out is the effort and hard work that goes into their content and channels.
Zindzi Thwala who was a social media wards nominee for entrepreneur of the year said starting a Youtube channel, she did not expect a lot of growth in the beginning but the reception she got has been amazing.
“My favourite thing is the comment section. It’s a nice feeling knowing that people engage to your content and can relate to it. When it comes to my channel direction I go with the flow as much as my content is very structured I have not got to a point where I have boxed my content in so I shoot as and when I have something interesting to share,” said Thwala who also runs a successful business in the form of Authentic hair salon.
When explaining how she run curates her content in the form of a vlog she said Producing a great vlog in her opinion needs, good lighting (always), one’s genuine self /personality and a good camera /smartphone.
“Consistency is the best way to build a community and to grow the quality of your content. So I’m planning on pacing myself being consistent with my output,” she said.
Another new kid on the block in the form of a YouTube channel is Tebelelihle Nxumalo; she is also currently celebrating clinching an endorsement deal with a major South African gin brand. Having been nominated for personality of the year, Nxumalo is also working hard to grow and monetize her channel.
“The reception from my subscribers has been so motivating and I have been well received by a lot of people. I did not expect to rich 1k subscribers this year but I did and this says a lot about my reception in the platform. EmaSwati have been very supportive to my channel and I did not expect it but it is so humbling to see and for that I am very grateful,” she said.
Nxumalo further shared that in order to grow her channel and content she watches a lot of YouTube, to get inspiration and to improve her skills.
“I learn editing techniques and new things that YouTubers now do. In that way I get to do my content, I plan on getting more vlogging tools which includes a camera and more lights for my content,” she said.
