Eswatini actor Luyanda Mali nominated for UK Handprint award
Mali, who grew up in Mpaka, also earned three nominations at Ghana's Great Excellence Movie Awards 2026 this year.
Luyanda Mali, an actor, filmmaker, director and editor originally from Mpaka in Eswatini, has been nominated for The Young Changemaker of the Year Award at the UK Handprint Awards 2026. Based in South Africa, where he studied acting at the Market Theatre Laboratory in Johannesburg, Mali runs Perfomix Media Production, an independent company that aims to produce original African stories and mentor emerging talent.
Mali recently received three nominations at the Great Excellence Movie Awards 2026 in Ghana, for Best Rising Star, Best Male Discovery and Most Promising Actor. He said the UK nomination recognises young people who challenge limitations and create opportunities through their work, not only entertainers.
He said he sees these honours from Ghana and the United Kingdom as momentum for future projects rather than a final goal. His stated ambition is to become an internationally recognised storyteller and build sustainable platforms for the next generation of talent.