BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MANZINI – A night of glitz, celebration, and excellence unfolded at The George Hotel in Manzini as Eswatini’s best and brightest enterprises gathered for the prestigious 2024 Quality Awards.
The event, a hallmark of business excellence, saw Eswatini Meat Industries crowned as the grand winner, securing two coveted titles: Eswatini Organisation of the Year (Large Enterprise) and Eswatini Product of the Year (Large Enterprise). The latter was a thrilling tie with Nkonyeni Pre-Cast Ltd and Eswatini National Blood Transfusion Service, underscoring the nation’s commitment to quality and innovation across industries.
A Night to Remember
Hosted by the Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, the awards ceremony served as a beacon of inspiration for businesses striving for excellence. Dressed in elegance, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders gathered to recognize the nation’s most outstanding enterprises.
Khumalo, in his address, underscored the significance of quality in shaping the future of businesses.
“Quality is not just a goal; it is an ongoing journey. It reflects our values, our aspirations, and our promise to deliver the very best to our customers, stakeholders, and one another. Each entrant and awardee here tonight embodies the principles of quality through hard work, innovation, and unwavering determination, ”he said.
As the night unfolded, applause echoed through the halls, celebrating the winners who stood tall among their peers, demonstrating excellence in their respective fields.
Winners that set the bar high
Several organizations and individuals were recognized for their contributions to quality and innovation across multiple categories:
- National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) – Eswatini Organization of the Year (MSME)
- Swazi Tiles Investment – Eswatini Product of the Year (MSME)
- Rannah Investments (Pty) Ltd – Eswatini Service of the Year (MSME)
- Rhodes Food Group Eswatini (Pty) Ltd – Eswatini Exporter of the Year (Large Enterprise) & Eswatini Conformity Assessment Body of the Year (Testing 17025)
- Goodwill Makhosemvelo Matsebula – Eswatini Quality Ambassador of the Year
- Cerba Lancet Eswatini Mbabane Laboratories – Eswatini Conformity Assessment Body of the Year (ISO/IEC 15189)
A Commitment to Excellence
Khumalo commended the winners for their steadfast dedication, adding, “By integrating quality standards into your operations, you are not only enhancing your own organizations’ competitiveness but also contributing to a broader global impact. Quality management systems are the backbone of efficient service delivery. In a world where customer expectations are continually rising, your dedication to maintaining and improving quality standards ensures that services are not only delivered efficiently but also exceed expectations.”
With each trophy raised, Eswatini’s entrepreneurs reaffirmed their commitment to driving progress, setting new benchmarks, and leading the nation toward a future defined by quality and innovation. As the curtains closed on an unforgettable evening, the message was clear—excellence is not a destination but a journey, and Eswatini’s business community is ready to embrace it every step of the way.
(Pics: Ministry of Commerce)
