BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI– What started as an entrepreneurial journey in 2017 eventually became a fully established boutique five years later — and today, young businessman Sikelela Mkhonta wants other young emaSwati to know that their own business ideas can also become a reality.
Mkhonta, the owner of SM Boutique and a beneficiary of the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund (YERF), has urged young people across the country to stop allowing promising ideas to remain only dreams and instead take advantage of the funding and business support opportunities available to them.
His message comes at a time when approximately E40 million is reportedly available through YERF to support viable youth-owned enterprises.
Speaking to Eswatini Positive News during the ongoing Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF) 2026, where his business is being showcased at the YERF stall in Hall 1, Mkhonta said the availability of such funding presented young people with an opportunity to turn viable ideas into sustainable businesses.
Trading under SM Group, Mkhonta knows first-hand that building a business does not happen overnight.
He began his entrepreneurial journey in 2017 before successfully establishing SM Boutique in 2022 — a five-year journey that reflects the importance of patience, determination and taking practical steps towards achieving a business goal.
Now, with his products being displayed alongside those of other young entrepreneurs at one of the country’s biggest trade and business platforms, Mkhonta believes his journey carries an important lesson for aspiring entrepreneurs: the first step must come from them.
“Young people must take advantage of the opportunities that are available to them. With commitment, determination and the right support, a business idea can become a reality,” Mkhonta said.
He expressed appreciation for the opportunities being extended to young emaSwati through YERF, particularly access to funding and other forms of business support that can help entrepreneurs move their ideas beyond the planning stage.
“We are very grateful and encouraged by the opportunities that are available to young people,” he said.
Mkhonta encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs not to allow fear, uncertainty, lack of confidence or limited personal finances to discourage them from pursuing business opportunities.
Instead, he said young people should actively seek information about available empowerment programmes, develop viable business ideas and position themselves to benefit from initiatives created specifically to support youth entrepreneurship.
His message is particularly significant considering the approximately E40 million available for qualifying youth enterprises.
For a young person with a workable business idea but limited access to capital, such funding could provide the opportunity needed to purchase equipment, secure stock, improve operations or take an existing small enterprise to another level.
Mkhonta’s experience also demonstrates that funding alone is not enough to sustain a business.
He appealed to emaSwati to deliberately support youth-owned and locally owned businesses, pointing out that entrepreneurs ultimately need customers to purchase their products and services if their enterprises are to survive and grow.
“We ask people to continue supporting what is happening here at SM Group and to continue standing with young entrepreneurs,” he said.
The call adds another important dimension to youth economic empowerment — encouraging communities not only to celebrate young entrepreneurs, but also to support them through their purchasing decisions.
The ongoing EITF 2026 is providing entrepreneurs such as Mkhonta with an important platform to introduce their businesses to the public, engage potential customers and showcase what young emaSwati are capable of producing when given access to opportunities.
At the YERF stall in Hall 1, visitors are also able to interact with beneficiaries of the Fund and learn more about enterprises that have received support.
For aspiring entrepreneurs visiting the Trade Fair, these businesses offer practical examples of what can happen when an idea is followed by action.
Mkhonta’s journey — from beginning his entrepreneurial path in 2017 to establishing SM Boutique in 2022 and eventually exhibiting his business at the country’s premier trade showcase — carries a simple but powerful message.
Opportunities may exist, funding may be available and institutions may be ready to provide support, but aspiring entrepreneurs still have to take that crucial first step.
With approximately E40 million available to support viable youth businesses, Mkhonta believes the time has come for more young emaSwati to move beyond talking about their business ideas and start working towards turning them into sustainable enterprises.
His message to the youth is clear: do not allow a good business idea to remain only an idea — seek the opportunities, prepare yourself and take the first step.
