The Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) has officially unveiled the contestants for the Miss Cultural Heritage 2026 pageant, with voting now open to the public through Moja Ticket.
The competition seeks to preserve, promote and celebrate Eswatini’s cultural heritage by bringing together young women from all four regions of the Kingdom to serve as cultural ambassadors.
The pageant continues to advance ENCAC’s mandate of promoting local culture and the arts, as outlined in the Eswatini National Arts and Culture Policy. Over the years, contestants and titleholders have played a significant role in raising awareness of the country’s cultural traditions and encouraging young people to embrace their heritage.
One of the pageant’s notable achievements is the introduction of the pioneering Ligcebesha Making Classes, a project initiated under the leadership of the current Miss Culture, Yoliswa Manana. The initiative has created entrepreneurial opportunities for young women across all four regions of Eswatini.
Through the programme, participants have acquired practical skills in making ligcebesha, enabling them to generate income and improve their livelihoods amid rising unemployment and limited job opportunities.
Manana said the initiative demonstrates how cultural pageants can contribute to youth empowerment and economic development when properly implemented.
“Because of the Miss Cultural Heritage Pageant, we now have the Ligcebesha Making Classes which is turning ordinary young girls to entrepreneurs. In a time where there is a rise in unemployment and lack of job opportunities, I am happy that the Miss Cultural Pageant Competition has helped fight unemployment as there are now young women who benefit under the programme,” Manana said.
She added that she hopes ENCAC will continue supporting the project and expand its reach so that more young women throughout the Kingdom can benefit.
ENCAC Chief Executive Officer Stanley Dlamini also highlighted the pageant’s contribution to cultural preservation and the creation of economic opportunities for young women.
Dlamini said the competition aligns with the Council’s mandate by ensuring that Eswatini’s culture is promoted with respect and discipline.
He noted that the growth of the pageant, particularly through the Ligcebesha Making Classes, demonstrates the potential of cultural programmes to address unemployment and help young women become financially independent.
According to Dlamini, the success of the initiative highlights the need for more programmes that combine cultural promotion with practical skills development and entrepreneurship.
Meanwhile, members of the public can now vote for their preferred contestants through Moja Ticket. The voting process is accessible via a QR code or WhatsApp, allowing supporters to participate in selecting the next Miss Cultural Heritage.
How to Vote
Members of the public can follow these steps to cast their votes:
- Scan the QR code or go to https://tinyurl.com/MissCulturalHeritage.
- Send SNCAC to +18622034403 on WhatsApp.
- Reply with your full name.
- Reply with your email address.
- Select Option 2 for voting.
- Follow the prompts to secure your vote(s).
- For assistance, voters can call or WhatsApp the support team on +268 7832 3095, between 8am and 5pm.
MISS CULTURE 2026 CONTESTANTS (VOTING CODE HAVE BEEN INCLUDED FOR EACH CONTESTANT)
HHOHHO:
- Sobahle Ndwandwe – 01001
- Snetiswa Magagula – 01002
- Simphiwe Dlamini – 01003
- Simphiwe Mavimbela – 01004
- Nokwanda Shongwe – 01005
LUBOMBO:
- Fisokuhle Mashaba – 02006
- Sisekelo Mthiyane – 02007
- Melokuhle Ginindza – 02008
- Mayenziwe Nhlengetfwa – 02009
- Nonhle Malindzisa – 02010
MANZINI:
- Nonhle Gama – 03011
- Buhlebetfu Bhembe – 03012
- Sinenhlanhla Shongwe – 03013
- Annah Lawrence – 03014
- Badzelisile Magazi – 03015
SHISELWENI:
- Nosizo Sibiya – 04016
- Temlandvo Dlamini – 04017
- Lindelwa Simelane – 04018
- Nosimo Ngcamphalala – 04019
- Yenzokuhle Khumalo – 04020
With five contestants representing each of the four regions, the 2026 competition brings together 20 young women who will showcase their commitment to Eswatini’s cultural heritage.
