Entrepreneurs from across the Shiselweni region were recognised yesterday at the 19th edition of the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards hosted by the Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO). The event was attended by Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo, who congratulated the winners and commended the role of small businesses in driving the country’s economy.
Held in the southern region, the awards celebrated local entrepreneurs operating in a range of sectors—from agribusiness to hardware—shining a light on innovation, resilience, and job creation within Eswatini’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.
Selina Auto Spares walked away with two accolades, earning the Regional Outstanding Youth-Owned Business title as well as the overall Regional Winner award.
Minister Khumalo described MSMEs as the “true engines of economic growth,” adding that his ministry remains committed to supporting small businesses through capacity-building services including training, incubation, and market access provided through SEDCO.
This year’s winners included:
- Regional Outstanding Street Vendor – Thembi Simelane
- Regional Outstanding Handicraft Business – Dlakadla Handicraft
- Regional Outstanding Youth-Owned Business – Selina Auto Spares
- Regional Outstanding Women-Owned Business – Epower Hardware
- Regional Outstanding Agribusiness – Resilient Mafu Farms
- Regional Outstanding Start-up – Mshengu Fruits & Veg
- Regional Winner – Selina Auto Spares
The Minister also acknowledged sponsors and partners who supported the event, including FNB Eswatini, ENPD, FINCORP, Taiwan ICDF, and Infinity Links, as well as new partners like SBS, ESWASA, YERF, EBIS, Eswatini Observer, Waterman, A Peculiar People, and Datamatics Eswatini, last year’s top winner.
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