BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI– For Emaswati, imvunulo is more than traditional clothing. It carries the story of who they are, where they come from and the traditions passed down from one generation to the next. On Monday, 27 July 2026, that deep connection to Swati heritage became the heart of a remarkable business success story when Notsa Eswatini was crowned the Overall Winner of the 2026 Manzini Regional Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Notsa Eswatini, a homegrown business that brands and produces Imihelwane and Tidvwashi, also won the Most Innovative Business category at a ceremony held at The George Hotel, bringing together entrepreneurs, government officials, corporate leaders and development partners to celebrate innovation and excellence in the Manzini Region.
The double victory saw Notsa Eswatini walk away with a combined E30 000 in prize money and two certificates. The business received E20 000 for being crowned Overall Regional Winner and an additional E10 000 for winning the Most Innovative Business category.
For Director Mantantatsa Wandile Dlamini, the achievement marks a major milestone for a business that began its journey in 2024 and has since expanded its operations, production capacity and workforce.
At the heart of the business is a passion for preserving and celebrating Eswatini’s cultural identity through traditional attire, with Imihelwane and Tidvwashi forming part of the brand’s offering.
“What truly defines us as Emaswati is our traditional attire (imvunulo), so we decided to produce it ourselves and make sure it is top-notch, because all Emaswati love traditional wear,” Dlamini said.
The company’s investment in local production has also contributed to job creation, with Notsa Eswatini growing from five employees at inception to 23 full-time staff members.
The achievement was even more significant for the business as the 2026 awards marked its first participation in the Entrepreneur of the Year programme.
“This was our very first time joining the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards,” Dlamini said.
SEDCO Chief Executive Officer Khethiwe Mhlanga praised all entrepreneurs who participated in the Manzini Regional EYA, commending them for their resilience, courage and determination to grow their businesses.
The Entrepreneur of the Year Awards are delivered through a partnership between SEDCO, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade and FNB Eswatini, providing MSMEs with a platform to gain recognition, build networks and access opportunities that support business growth.
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo said the 2026 awards were particularly significant as the EYA programme celebrates its 20th anniversary under the theme “20 Years of Nurturing Future Growth.”
Khumalo also highlighted the growing participation of women in entrepreneurship, revealing that women accounted for 55 per cent of the 101 entries received from the Manzini Region.
“As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the EYA, under the theme ‘20 Years of Nurturing Future Growth’, and 40 years of His Majesty King Mswati III’s reign, you are the foundation of our economy,” Khumalo said.
He said government remained committed to creating an enabling environment where MSMEs could access opportunities, finance and markets to grow sustainable businesses.
“Through the Citizen Economic Empowerment Act and the National MSME Policy 2024 to 2029, my Ministry works to secure preferential procurement, access to finance, and an enabling environment for businesses like yours to thrive,” Khumalo said.
FNB Eswatini Chief Executive Officer Thokozani ‘TK’ Dlamini also reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting MSMEs.
He said the move followed feedback gathered directly from entrepreneurs through FNB’s SME Growth Forums held across the country.
“We won’t get everything right at once, but we will not stop in our bid to find the right solutions for SMEs in Eswatini. We cherish our partnership with SEDCO because this platform brings us closer to SMEs,” Dlamini said.
He further assured entrepreneurs of FNB’s continued support under the bank’s refreshed brand promise.
MANZINI REGIONAL EYA 2026 WINNERS
-Overall Regional Winner: Heavenly Array t/a Notsa Eswatini – E20 000 and certificate
-Youth-Owned Business: TK Nina t/a Tenina’s Launderette – E10 000 and certificate
-Woman-Owned Business: Kleaners Investments – E10 000 and certificate
-Agri-Business: Nsulansula Farm – E10 000 and certificate
-Most Tech-Savvy Business: S-Link Technologies – E10 000 and certificate
-Most Innovative Business: Heavenly Array t/a Notsa Eswatini – E10 000 and certificate
-Handicraft Business: Imvunulo Emporium – E10 000 and certificate
-Start-Up Business: Elite Hair Cuts – E10 000 and certificate
-Street Vendor: Lomali Trading – E10 000 and certificate
-Business Owned by Person with Disabilities: Lungisa Emahiya Mobile – E10 000 and certificate
For Notsa Eswatini, the victory is more than an award. It is a celebration of a homegrown business that is using culture as a foundation for innovation, job creation and enterprise development.
Through its Imihelwane and Tidvwashi brands, the business is helping keep Eswatini’s cultural identity alive while investing in local design and production. Its journey from starting in Mbeleni to building in-house production capacity and growing its workforce from five to 23 employees demonstrates the potential of local businesses to turn cultural heritage into sustainable economic opportunities.
Notsa Eswatini’s success is a reminder that when Emaswati invest in their creativity, skills and traditions, they can build enterprises that not only celebrate who they are but also create jobs, inspire innovation and contribute meaningfully to the growth of Eswatini’s economy.
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