MBABANE, Eswatini: Genesis Ekucaleni Media has reached more than 160 students through a creative arts development programme aimed at nurturing young talent, strengthening artistic skills and creating opportunities for the next generation of storytellers in Eswatini.

The programme brought together 138 students, alongside 23 students from Montessori, for activities connected to the Genesis Ekucaleni School of Creative Arts Festival and its creative arts workshops.

The initiative also involved schools that participated in the Inyatsi Schools Arts and Culture Competition, with Genesis Ekucaleni Media supporting young performers as they prepared to showcase their talents on stage.

Three schools that emerged as winners of the competition, namely Ngomane Primary School, Swazi National High School and Vulamasango High School, received additional support ahead of their festival performances.

Genesis Ekucaleni Media deployed a dedicated director to work directly with the three winning schools, helping students refine their performances and prepare their productions for the stage.

Over a period of two weeks, the young actors worked on developing their acting abilities, polishing their scripts and bringing their stories to life in preparation for the festival.

The initiative was designed to give students an opportunity to develop their confidence, improve their performance techniques and gain practical experience in theatrical production.

Beyond supporting the winning schools, Genesis Ekucaleni Media extended its commitment to arts education through a two day creative arts workshop programme held as part of its School of Creative Arts activities.

Twenty schools were selected to participate in the workshops, with five students from each school identified to take part in the different training sessions.

The workshops covered four creative disciplines: creative writing and poetry, directing, dance and theatre. The programme provided students with opportunities to explore different areas of artistic expression and gain exposure to skills that could support their development in the creative industries.

Through the creative writing and poetry sessions, students had an opportunity to explore storytelling through words, develop their writing abilities and express ideas through poetry.

The directing workshop introduced participants to the responsibilities involved in guiding a production, while the dance workshop provided a platform for movement, rhythm and performance development.

The theatre workshop focused on practical aspects of stage performance, giving students exposure to the skills required to bring dramatic stories to audiences.

The workshops formed part of Genesis Ekucaleni Media’s broader commitment to nurturing young creatives and strengthening the role of arts and culture in schools.

By bringing together students from different schools and creative disciplines, the programme sought to encourage collaboration, talent development and greater participation in the performing arts.

Genesis Ekucaleni Media said its involvement in the festival reflected its commitment to empowering young people to take to the stage with confidence and develop their abilities as emerging artists and storytellers.

The School Festival provided a platform for participating learners to showcase their work and celebrate the creative potential of Eswatini’s young people.

Through its support for school productions and structured arts workshops, Genesis Ekucaleni Media continues to create opportunities for learners to gain practical experience in the creative sector while exploring their talents in writing, directing, dance and theatre.

Photographs: Tribe Studios