EZULWINI: Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla has urged organisers and judges of the Eswatini Praise Talent Search to ensure that vulnerable and disadvantaged young people are included in the new programme.
Dladla was speaking during the launch of the talent search at Sibane Sami Hotel in Ezulwini.
She said the programme should create opportunities for young people with disabilities, orphans, vulnerable children and those from disadvantaged households. 
“Development must leave no one behind. We must not define a young person by disability, poverty, or family circumstances, but by their abilities, aspirations, talents and potential,” she said.
The talent search was founded by gospel artist Sipho “Big Fish” Makhabane and will be broadcast weekly on Eswatini TV from September to December 2026.
The programme is designed to promote gospel music while bringing together faith, creativity, national identity and community participation.
It will feature young people from all four regions of Eswatini and provide a platform for emerging performers to develop and present their abilities.
Dladla said young people with disabilities should be given meaningful roles beyond appearing as contestants.
She said they should also have opportunities to participate as performers, musicians, creators, presenters and technical contributors.
The Deputy Prime Minister called on local media organisations to publicise the programme widely so that it could reach young people throughout the Kingdom.
She urged media houses to cooperate rather than compete in promoting initiatives that create opportunities for young people.
Dladla also appealed to private companies, public institutions and individuals to provide financial and other support to ensure the success of the talent search.
“Let us build clear pathways from talent identification to skills development, mentorship, entrepreneurship, employment and sustainable livelihoods,” she said.
She said the creative industries, including music, television, film, fashion, arts, culture and digital content, could create employment and support local content development.
Dladla said programmes such as Eswatini Praise could help young people discover, develop and showcase their talents while contributing to the growth of the local creative economy.
The talent search will allow aspiring singers to submit 60 second landscape videos as part of the audition process. Promising performers will then be selected for the next stages of the competition.
