Only Make Waves at World Book and Copyright Day 2025

On April 23, 2025, Only Make Waves participated in the World Book and Copyright Day event at the Happy Valley Hotel, where Minister Manqoba Khumalo announced a E200,000 injection into Eswatini’s creative sector: E100,000 for a Creative Industry Development Fund under ESWACOS and E100,000 for a national short film competition. ESWACOS’s Executive Director, Mmeli Hlanze, detailed their five-year strategic plan to launch royalty collection from April 1, 2025, and addressed key challenges in copyright awareness. Attendees gained hands-on insights about membership processes under the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act No. 4 of 2018. Mini-break performances by iYA, Sarnilo, and Thobile Makhoyane added vibrant energy to the day bringing to our main speaker Ndumiso Dlamini who has been in the industry for over a decade now, he shed light on music business and how he has managed to move around this tricky maze of music business. Below, we break down the event’s highlights, discuss its impact on artists, and update you on Only Make Waves’ latest platform enhancements.

Event Overview

On World Book and Copyright Day—an annual UNESCO celebration recognizing books and copyright’s role in sustainable development UNESCO—the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade convened creatives at Happy Valley Hotel. As invited stakeholders, Only Make Waves joined ESWACOS, ESWACOS’s board members, and fellow creators to witness the Minister’s declaration and roadmap for a thriving creative economy.

Government’s Creative Sector Commitment

E100,000 to ESWACOS for a Creative Industry Development Fund, aimed at providing grants that enable artists to scale professionally and access broader markets.
E100,000 for a national short film competition, designed to showcase and nurture homegrown cinematic talent.
A directive to ESWACOS to establish a wellness and mental health programme including funeral cover to support artists’ wellbeing beyond creative outputs.

Spotlight on ESWACOS

Mandate and Strategic Plan

As the sole copyright authority in Eswatini, ESWACOS is finalizing licensing agreements with broadcasters ahead of royalty collections starting April 1, 2025. Their five-year strategic plan includes:

Education & Empowerment — Closing the knowledge gap around copyright law to reduce resistance and foster compliance.
Transparent Distribution — Annual general meetings and a rights-holder–governed distribution policy to ensure fair, data-driven royalty payouts.
Social & Development Programmes — Launching social security initiatives like the wellness programme announced today.

Presentation by the Executive Director

Executive Director Mmeli Hlanze delivered a deep dive into:

Membership Application Processes, detailing the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act No. 4 of 2018 requirements, form-filling nuances, fee structures, and submission deadlines for more reference: times.co.sz.
Interactive Q&A, where artists shared concerns about administration, and ESWACOS provided clarifications, demystifying registration and rights management.

Meet-and-Discuss: A Conversation Snippet

Only Make Waves Rep (OMW): “How will the new fund accelerate artists’ market access?”
Hlanze: “By offering tailored grants and mentorship, we aim to equip creatives with resources and networks to transform their passion into a profession.”
OMW: “And the mental health initiative?”
Hlanze: “A holistic approach—financial, emotional, and social support—so artists can focus on creativity without undue personal burdens.”

Benefits for Eswatini Artists

Financial Empowerment: Grants and film competition prizes create tangible income streams.
Royalty Rights: Structured royalty collection ensures artists earn from broadcasts and public uses.
Wellbeing Focus: Mental health and funeral cover programmes demonstrate recognition of artists’ holistic needs.
Capacity Building: ESWACOS’s education sessions elevate understanding of IP rights, fostering compliance and confidence.

Mini-Break Performances

The event’s mini-break showcased top local talent:

iYA (Nkhosiyabongwa Dlamini) blended soul and modern jazz in an evocative set Music In Africa.
Sarnilo delivered a powerful R&B/Afro-Fusion performance, celebrating her inclusion in Spotify’s Best Fresh Finds Africa for 2024 Eswatini Positive News.
Thobile Makhoyane mesmerized with her ‘hypno-rock’ fusion backed by traditional instrumentation Music In Africa.

Only Make Waves: Platform Innovations

As part of our commitment to empower Emaswati creatives, Only Make Waves has recently:

Launched Streaming Features, enabling artists to distribute work directly to fans.
Introduced Wishlists, letting listeners support upcoming releases and merch.
Onboarded Partners like Proton, Paradise, and Linespace, offering technical, promotional, and logistical support to our community.

Food for Thought
By combining government-backed funding, ESWACOS’s robust frameworks, and Only Make Waves’ digital ecosystem, we’re building an environment where creativity thrives—socially, culturally, and economically.