BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
NKHANINI – As thousands of people prepare to converge on Lobamba for the 2026 Umhlanga Reed Dance, entrepreneurs in nearby areas are looking forward to what they expect will be one of their busiest trading periods of the year.
The seven-day ceremony will begin on Tuesday, August 25, with the main day set for Monday, August 31, which has been declared a public holiday. The event is expected to bring maidens, escorts, visitors and spectators to the Lobamba area, creating increased business opportunities for local traders.
Among those preparing for increased activity is Vezokuhle Grocery owner Phetsile Hlatjwako, whose business is situated at Nkhanini, next to the hall.
Hlatjwako said her location was well positioned because many national events took place around Lobamba.
She said she was particularly eyeing Umhlanga, believing the traditional ceremony would bring increased customer traffic and boost sales at her grocery shop.
Her entrepreneurial journey started with a mobile money business before she moved into operating a salon and later a fish and chips business.
She eventually built the structure that now houses her grocery shop with the assistance of the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund, which loaned her E42 000.
Hlatjwako said business was currently running smoothly and she had not experienced major challenges. She said she was also able to repay her loan.
Looking beyond Umhlanga, Hlatjwako said she wanted to grow her enterprise by opening a salon and later a liquor outlet.
“I believe it will happen because the business is doing well,” she said.
Another entrepreneur expecting increased business during the Umhlanga period is Nkosibona Finger Fried and Baking owner Sibusiso Fakudze.
Fakudze said his business journey began after he lost his job in 2020.
Having previously worked in hotels, he decided to use the skills he had gained in the hospitality industry to start his own business rather than allow losing his job to mark the end of his journey.
He initially opened a mobile money business before approaching the Youth Fund, which loaned him E15 000.
From there, he expanded into shisanyama, baking and car wash services. He later received further funding to grow the business.
His wife also came on board and assisted with saving, while growing customer interest in his pizzas encouraged him to invest in a pizza oven and build a shelter for customers.
Fakudze said young people should be disciplined and have a clear vision and mandate for what they wanted to achieve. Fakudze urged those who will be coming for Umhlanga to support his business. He said he takes orders and makes deliveries within a 30 minutes period. He said his space is enough or people to ome and relax.
For the Nkhanini entrepreneurs, Umhlanga represents more than a major cultural event. With business premises positioned close to the activities in Lobamba, the ceremony presents an opportunity to turn increased human traffic into sales and further growth.
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