Eswatini’s Sukuma Summer Camp uses art and faith to shape young leaders

Veteran South African actor Sello Maake kaNcube is using his decades of experience in theatre and film to mentor young creatives at the Summer Camp Sukuma in Eswatini, where faith and the performing arts intersect to shape the next generation of leaders.

Founded by Pastor Thethe Dlamini in 2005, the week-long camp brings together young people from Eswatini and neighbouring Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, offering them the opportunity to learn and develop skills under the guidance of renowned mentors.

KaNcube, acclaimed for his work on stage and screen as both an actor and director, has been mentoring participants at the camp since 5 January 2026.

Speaking to EWN, he said his role at the camp is about helping young people recognise and pursue their dreams.

“I think mentorship is not something you assume,” he said.

“But the environment lends itself to it and you find yourself having to share what you have. When you see a young aspirant, you almost see a reflection of yourself when you started.”

Beyond performance techniques the thespian imparts broader life lessons, emphasising how closely acting is intertwined with personal choices and integrity.

“I was saying to them: you have chosen to come here, to commit to yourself. That is a bold step. The challenge now is how true you are going to remain to that decision,” he said.

With respected figures from the film and theatre industry investing their time in the youth, Pastor Dlamini believes the initiative could grow beyond an annual camp into a year-long programme.

“We want to have workshops and follow-up programmes at least three times during the year,” he said.

Dlamini added that the camp provides a safe, faith-centred space where young people can express themselves freely.

“In the context of the church, we have often demonised the spaces young people occupy,” he said.

“But if we capacitate them with Christ-centred truth, they can apply their talents in a way that allows them to live relevant lives and connect meaningfully with their peers.”