ESWATINI Theatre Club has outlined how it will use the European Union (EU) E1 million cultural grant to develop local talent through regional collaborations and creative productions.
The funding comes through the Co-Creation of New Heritage Narratives initiative, supported by the European Union’s Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture (AEPC) Programme, with the Goethe-Institut serving as the implementing partner.
The project forms part of the wider €30 million programme aimed at strengthening the creative sector across Africa.
Eswatini Theatre Club Vice Chairperson Sizo Hlophe explained that the organisation intends to bring together nine local and regional artists to create three collaborative projects that celebrate culture while encouraging knowledge sharing.
“We see this as a vital step in telling our stories at regional level,” he said, adding that the collaboration would allow local creatives to present their work to wider audiences and benefit from new perspectives.
He noted that working with artists from different countries would encourage cultural exchange and help strengthen the country’s creative industry.
Hlophe explained that the grant would mainly finance the development of the three productions before they are presented to the public through showcases, major events and festivals.
He described the initiative as an opportunity to strengthen the local arts sector while creating meaningful opportunities for artists and cultural practitioners.
“We see this as an investment in the local cultural ecosystem,” he said.
He further highlighted that the programme would involve a wide range of service providers, performers and creative professionals throughout the production process, ensuring that the funding benefits more than just the participating artists.
The collaborative approach, he added, would also help improve skills and encourage lasting partnerships within the region.
The Theatre Club believes the project will have a wider impact beyond the three productions by creating employment opportunities and exposing local talent to regional audiences.
Hlophe described the funding as an important boost for the local creative economy, saying the initiative should be viewed as an injection of E1 million into the sector.
He expressed confidence that the programme would contribute to the long-term growth of the country’s cultural industry while encouraging more regional cooperation in future projects.
By combining local storytelling with regional collaboration, the organisation hopes to preserve cultural heritage.
