BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE– Artists have been given two more weeks to fill up forms that may change their lives!
The Sound Connects Fund (SCF) has today announced that they have extended their deadlines for applications from January 15, 2023 to January 31, 2023.
Through Music In Africa, the Sound Connects Fund (SCF), a multifaceted initiative that aims at accelerating development and increase the capacity of the cultural and creative sectors in Southern Africa, is offering financial support in the form of different sized grants and comprehensive capacity-building programmes.
Eswatini is among the nine countries which are benefitting from this programme.
The grants are offered to eligible creatives and cultural industry organizations based in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
According to the Music Africa website, the creatives should be operating in the performing arts, animation, film, gaming, photography, videography and visual arts sectors. The third and final SCF call for applications is still open until January 31.
The extension of the application dates was published by different international media houses.
When sought for comment, Eswatini Music and Arts Association (SWAMA) President Lutfo Dlamini encouraged artists to apply, saying the courses would assist equip them.
“Zimbabweans have been known to be fully utilizing these courses hence they are now excelling in the arts,” said Dlamini.
He went on to say that it was high time Eswatini took the forefront with regards to the arts.
Dlamini said he encouraged the Government of Eswatini, through the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC), to endorse and promote such programmes.
Music In Africa is the largest resource for information and exchange in and for the African music sector. A non-profit initiative, Music In Africa provides seamless opportunities for creatives by funding courses and conference and providing platforms for networking.
