Ezulwini – Journalists and media leaders were recognised on Monday night, December 22 2025, as the Eswatini National Media Awards returned at Royal Villas in Ezulwini, marking the first ceremony of its kind in more than a decade.

The awards were hosted by the Eswatini National Association of Journalists working with the Eswatini Editors Forum and organised by the Marketing Advertising Research Council. The event brought together media practitioners from across the Kingdom to honour outstanding work in print, broadcast, photography and specialist reporting.

Mbongiseni Ndzimandze of Times of Eswatini emerged as the most decorated winner of the night, receiving Journalist of the Year Print, Investigative Journalist of the Year and Print News Story of the Year, collecting prize money totalling E27 500.

In electronic media, Sonto Mlangeni of Eswatini Television was named Journalist of the Year Electronic and also received the Regional Integration Award. Bhekizwe Maveni Gwebu of Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services won News Story of the Year Electronic. Business reporting honours went to Phiwa Sikhondze of Inside Biz, who was named Best Business Reporter. Sibongile Sky Sukati of Eswatini Observer received the Columnist of the Year award for her column Life Goes On.

Specialist reporting winners included Delisa Magagula of Financial Times as Best Community Reporter of the Year. Timothy Simelane and Themangweni Nkomonye of Times of Eswatini jointly won Best Environment Reporter of the Year, receiving prize money and a laptop. Nimrod Hlophe was awarded Best Sports Reporter of the Year and received E7 500 and a 75 inch smart television.

Team and emerging talent categories saw Eswatini Television Market View win the Current Affairs Team Award. Sibusiso Tsabedze of Eswatini Observer was named Emerging Reporter of the Year, receiving E3 000 and a laptop. Khulekile Mhlanga, who started as an intern and is now a full-time journalist at Independent News Eswatini, was also nominated in the Emerging Reporter of the Year category. Melusi Mkhabela won Photographer of the Year.

Leadership awards went to veteran journalist and Nation magazine editor Bheki Makhubu, who received the Editorial Leadership Award, while Channel S Managing Director Chawe Mamba was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, which he dedicated to his 95 year old mother.

Cabinet ministers and senior national figures attended the ceremony, including the Minister of Information Communications and Technology Honourable Savannah Maziya, the Minister of Sports Culture and Youth Affairs Honourable Bongani Nzima, and Senator Princess Ncengencenge.