BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE – Eswatini Positive News (EPN) Founder and Managing Director Mbongeni Ndlela, together with his staff and Mbabane City Council Mayor Thulani Mkhontfo, on Friday, December 18, 2025, held an end-of-year lunch at Mbabane Market, as part of an initiative to support local traders and promote the buy-local drive.
Mayor Mkhonto praised the move, saying it had personally taught him the importance of intentionally supporting local businesses. “What Eswatini Positive News, led by its founder and staff, has done today has taught me a lesson. Sometimes we must pause going to fancy places and come and support our local traders,” said Mkhonto.
He said market traders are ratepayers whose livelihoods depend on community support.” These traders pay rates. They need our support. The money they earn here is used to pay school fees and feed their families. The support shown today means a lot in their lives,” he said.
The Mayor added that the initiative had inspired him to do the same with his own staff. “This has taught me that I should also take my staff and come and have lunch here at the market,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Eswatini Positive News staff, Managing Director and Founder Mbongeni Ndlela said the decision to hold the end-of-year lunch at the market was deliberate and aligned with the organisation’s vision of promoting local products.“It should be normal for big companies to have their end-of-year lunch at the market to support local traders,” said Ndlela.
He said Eswatini Positive News remains committed to promoting Made in Eswatini. “Our vision is to support local and promote what is made in Eswatini,” he said.
The Director said the staff enjoyed indigenous meals, which he described as healthier options.“We ate umbidvo, emasontfo and inhloko, foods that health experts encourage instead of junk food,” he said.
He also commended the cleanliness of Mbabane Market.“We were impressed by the cleanliness at the market,” he added.
Ndlela wished traders a merry Christmas and prosperity in their businesses, and thanked Mayor Mkhonto for joining the staff.
“We appreciate the mayor for taking time to come and have lunch with us. As a company, we will continue marketing and promoting the city,” he said.
Trader Maswane Vilakati, speaking on behalf of the traders, thanked Eswatini Positive News and the mayor for the support. “We are grateful to Eswatini Positive News staff for choosing to support us. This support means a lot to us as traders,” said Vilakati.
She said the initiative had a direct impact on their livelihoods.“When people support us, they help us feed our families and educate our children. We truly appreciate this gesture,” she said.
#EswatiniPositiveNews #SupportLocal #BuyLocalEswatini #MbabaneMarket #LocalTraders #CommunitySupport #EndOfYearCelebration #Eswatini
