The celebration also marked the official launch of Imisebe Publishing’s siSwati novel-writing competition, an initiative aimed at discovering, nurturing, and empowering emerging literary voices in Eswatini.

Welcoming guests, Managing Director Hlobsile Stromvig highlighted the critical role books and indigenous languages play in preserving culture, heritage, and identity. She encouraged aspiring writers to share authentic local stories and revealed that the competition had already attracted close to 60 submissions.

Guest speaker Lwandle Simelane, Secretary General of UNESCO, applauded Imisebe Publishing for championing indigenous-language literature and creating opportunities for emerging writers. She described literature as a powerful instrument for cultural preservation, identity-building, inclusion, and social cohesion through multilingual education.

Delivering a thought-provoking address, Mmeli Hlanze of ESWACOS emphasized that copyright protection remains the cornerstone of a sustainable writing industry, safeguarding creativity while ensuring that writers benefit fairly from their intellectual work. He noted that multilingual education strengthens identity, dignity, and cultural preservation in Eswatini, while also unlocking opportunities within the expanding creative economy across publishing, film, theatre, and digital platforms.

Mr. Hlanze also raised concerns about the growing influence of artificial intelligence, cautioning that while technological advancements create new opportunities, they should not come at the expense of human creativity. He called for stronger policies and regulatory frameworks to protect writers’ work, particularly regarding the use of creative content in AI systems.

Author Wandile Mathosi also addressed the gathering, speaking about the important role of writers in society. In his speech, he said writers of fiction carry a huge responsibility to capture what is happening in society at any given time. He reflected on the development of fiction writing in Eswatini from the 1970s to the present day, highlighting the different themes and social issues explored by local writers over the years. Mathosi emphasized the need for writers to remain observant and attentive to the realities around them, encouraging authors to become the voice of society through their work.

Student representative Dlamini Unathi from Nazarene High School encouraged learners to cultivate a strong reading culture, noting that reading sharpens the mind, broadens perspectives, and enhances critical thinking. She urged students to embrace books and knowledge, adding that, “If you don’t read, you become silent.”

President of the Eswatini Library and Information Association, Dr. Nomsa Mathabela, commended Imisebe Publishing for providing valuable literary resources that support students and the broader community. She encouraged authors to continue refining their craft, emphasizing that strong local literature plays a vital role in education, literacy development, and cultural advancement.

The event concluded with a collective call for sustained support for multilingual literacy, local storytelling, and the promotion of indigenous languages through reading and writing initiatives.