Zimbabwean Entrepreneurs Find Warm Welcome in Eswatini, Spark Investment Aspirations

Mbabane, Eswatini – 11 November 2024

An unexpected encounter in Mbabane, Eswatini, turned an ordinary Sunday into a transformative journey for two Zimbabwean entrepreneurs. I, along with my nephew Tinashe Mupasiri, arrived in Mbabane with a mission: to explore investment opportunities and assess the potential of Eswatini as our next business venture destination.

Our journey took an interesting turn when we stopped by Spur in Mbabane for a quick break, intent on booking a place to stay for the night. While enjoying a few drinks, we met a remarkable young woman named Fundile Mdluli. She was warm, down-to-earth and instantly open to conversation, sharing insights about Eswatini’s community and its inviting spirit.

As Zimbabweans with business ventures in South Africa, we discussed our interest in expanding our footprint into Eswatini. We expressed to Fundile our admiration for the strides being made in Eswatini under King Mswati III and our desire to add value to these efforts by introducing our own tailormade business strategies to add value to the economy of Eswatini. Eswatini, with its vibrant culture, growing economy and welcoming atmosphere, held promise for us.

To our surprise, Fundile shared that her mother was married to a Zimbabwean and currently resides in Harare. She explained how her education in Agri-Business from the University of Eswatini had prepared her to contribute to her country’s development and she saw potential in our ideas. Then, in a truly generous gesture, Fundile invited us to stay at her home, offering a welcoming base for our time in Mbabane.

Her home became the address we did not have, allowing us to experience Eswatini from a unique perspective. Through her hospitality, we witnessed first-hand the values Eswatini instills in its people; openness, kindness and a spirit of progress.

Our initial impressions of Eswatini have only deepened after this experience. It is clear that Eswatini is more than an investment destination; it is a place of opportunity, driven by forward-thinking citizens like Fundile who personify the heart and ambition of their country. Today, I proudly nominate her (Fundile) as a point of light (POL), a shining example of Eswatini’s potential and a symbol of its future as a vibrant business hub. She represents a bank of hope for Eswatini and the rest of Africa!

With the hospitality we experienced as a foundation, we look forward to exploring how we can contribute to Eswatini’s economic landscape. There is indeed much that the future holds for us in Eswatini.