The arts play a vital role in advancing various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including quality education, gender equality, economic growth, and the reduction of inequalities. The SDGs recognize that culture and the arts are integral to achieving sustainable development. At Imisebe Publishing, we fully support this vision by aligning our strategic initiatives with the SDGs and actively promoting the arts.

We were honored to participate in the recent Standard Choral Music Competitions this past weekend and to sponsor a category titled Imisebe Publishing Choice Piece, with a sponsorship worth E50,000. The performances in this category were a true spectacle, showcasing diverse choirs presenting original musical pieces that not only entertained but also educated the audience about Imisebe Publishing and our services.

This category brought a refreshing cultural and educational twist to the competition. Many of the compositions highlighted Imisebe’s mission and projects, particularly the Umphandza siSwati Dictionary. The Managing Director of Imisebe Publishing commended the choirs for their diverse and creative presentations. Many incorporated traditional siSwati dance and used imaginative stage props featuring Imisebe’s products—mainly books. “These performances demonstrated how well the choirs understood Imisebe’s mission and offerings,” she said.

We are truly grateful to all the participating choirs for the effort and creativity they poured into composing such powerful and inspiring songs. The performances were well-organized and polished, making the judges’ decision incredibly difficult. In our view, every choir delivered a meaningful and heartfelt message, giving their best on stage.

Adjudicator Sikhumbuzo Kunene praised the high level of creativity, noting, “This category challenged choirs to express their artistic best. If a composition was repetitive and lacked depth, it failed to convey enough about Imisebe.”

Competition Results:

• In the Standard Category, Emmanuel Methodist Church Choir claimed first place with 75 points, followed by Sweet Sounds with 73 points, and Pure Voices with 71 points.

• In the Large Category, Mbabane Methodist Choir won with 82 points. His Majesty’s Correctional Services Choir placed second with 76 points, and Dolce Harmony Chorus came third with 75 points.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Standard Bank and the Eswatini Choral Music Association for including us in this exciting and impactful initiative—from the preliminary workshops and eliminations to the grand finale. This journey has been incredibly rewarding for us at Imisebe Publishing, and we look forward to many more collaborative ventures in the future.