Eswatini National Choral Music Association

The Swaziland Choral Music Association now named the Eswatini National Choral Music Association (ENCMA) was formed in 1992 by local choirs in pursuit of collective bargaining. The choirs included the Manzini Choir, St. Florence Catholic Church Choir, St. Paul’s Methodist Church Choir, and Mater Dolorosa Church Choir. An interim committee was formed in in 1992 and later, a constitution was drafted in the same year with the help of a legal expert. The constitution was then presented to the interim committee which was then appointed to be the Executive Committee (EXCOM).

 Vision: A value-oriented choral hub. 

Mission: Exploring real-life experiences through choral music

VALUES

★ Professionalism – The music we sing is composed by professionals, sung by professionals in a manner guided by scholastic norms and professional set up of our performances.

★ Passion – There is no music without feelings. We passionately sing choral music and are guided by the dramatic emotions of the music.

★ Disciplined – We are structured and organised.

The name has evolved chronologically from the Swaziland Choral Music Association to different forms dependingon internal and external factors at play. At some point, the choirs worked with the Ministry of Home Affairs in shaping its agenda and informing its activities. When the Country changed its name to Eswatini the association also adapted to what it is called now.

In its quest to find more sponsors and conduct more activities, Barclays Banks which has  evolved over he years to the Standard Bank became the very first sponsor of this association in 1993. This relationship has been maintained this day today, this has become the longest sponsorship by an institution to the arts space in he country. Further, we have seen an sponsors partnering woth us in one way or he other which speaks to the viability and accountability of this association, sponsors  such as Stanlib, Liberty, Imisebe Publishers,, MacMillan - Eswatini, Old Mutual Eswatini, Premier Bakery, Waterman, Total. To name but few.

From conception, the aims of choral music have evolved from collective bargaining to doing things together, bringing more people together, much involvement of church choirs and professionalization of the artform. The current members of the ENCMA are (in no particular order) Manzini Choir, His Majesty’s Correctional Services Choir, Florence Catholic Church Choir, Eswatini Mighty Voices, Asihlabelele Choral Society, Mbabane Methodist Church Choir, Royal Eswatini Police Services Choir, Emmanuel Methodist Choir, Gebeni Choristers, Lugubhu LweNgwenyama, Dolce Harmonious Chorus, Pure Voices and FTM &JJ Choir. These member re spread across the 4 regions of country with each region being represented at least by one choir.

The biggest success this association has continuously been able to achieve in recent years is having its member choirs dominatting the SADC region in competitions. This has continuously  flown the countries flag quite high. Also, ENCMA also boast of having 2 of the oldest formations under its wing namely Manzini Choir and Asihlabelele Choral Society who bith were formed in 1976, making them the oldest brands that exist in the arts pace of the country.

Contact Us

Email: eswatinincma@gmail.com

Social Media pages

Facebook page: Eswatini National Choral Music Association 

Tick-tock: @Eswatinincma