BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE– The countdown is officially on!
Eswatini’s biggest celebration of homegrown excellence is just days away as the Made in Eswatini Consumer Choice Awards 2026 prepares to light up Hilton Garden Inn Mbabane on Thursday, 17 September, promising an unforgettable night of recognition, inspiration and national pride under the theme “Imagine the Impact.”
With public voting closing on 16 September, the race for the coveted Consumer Choice titles has entered its most exciting stage, where every E1 vote could reshape the leaderboard before the winners are crowned. To vote follow this link
https://madeineswatini.africa/
Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated awards ceremony, Melusi Zox Dlamini, Executive Chairman of A Peculiar People – the architects behind the Made in Eswatini ecosystem – said this year’s response has highlighted the growing influence consumers have in shaping the country’s economic future.
“These awards were never intended to simply be a popularity contest. They are an opportunity for consumers to say which local brands they believe deserve to be seen, supported and celebrated,” said Dlamini.
This year’s awards have introduced a transparent digital voting process powered by MTN MoMo, with each vote costing E1. Consumers can vote for one or multiple nominees and cast multiple votes across their favourite brands. According to the official awards platform, votes are only counted once payment has been successfully confirmed, with safeguards in place to prevent double counting.
A thrilling final sprint
As voting enters its final days, organisers say momentum is building across multiple categories, with brands rallying loyal customers, communities and supporters in a last-minute push for victory.
Dlamini said the emerging voting patterns suggest several contests remain wide open.
“What is exciting is that we are seeing different kinds of support emerge. Some brands have strong consumer loyalty, some are mobilising their communities, while others are benefiting from the strength of their products and the stories behind their businesses,” he said.
“The leaderboard can change very quickly in a consumer-voted competition. A brand that is behind today can potentially close the gap tomorrow. That is why we are encouraging all nominees not to assume the result may already be decided.”
The official voting platform provides live results based on confirmed votes, allowing supporters to follow the unfolding competition. Organisers say final standings will only be confirmed once voting officially closes on 16 September.
More than an awards night
Beyond the trophies, the event is expected to bring together nominees, previous winners, business leaders, partners, sponsors and other key stakeholders for an evening that celebrates the entrepreneurs, innovators and creators helping shape Eswatini’s economic future.
For Dlamini, the significance of the awards extends far beyond who walks away with the symbol of excellence.
“The bigger story is that every vote represents a consumer making an economic choice,” he said.
“Every buying decision is economic activism. When we deliberately choose a product, service, experience or design created here in Eswatini, we are helping create demand. Demand creates markets, markets create businesses, and businesses create opportunities and jobs.”
The Consumer Choice Awards form part of the broader Made in Eswatini®️ movement, which aims to strengthen consumer trust, increase visibility and expand market access for responsible enterprises producing, transforming, designing or delivering from Eswatini.
The Made in Eswatini definition, launched by HRH Princess Sakhizwe on 10 July 2026, recognises qualifying products, services, experiences and designs that are genuinely created, produced, transformed or delivered from Eswatini by responsible enterprises.
Final call before the curtain rises
With the awards night fast approaching, Dlamini is calling on consumers to make their voices count before voting closes.
“This is the final stretch. If there is a local brand you believe in, now is the time to show it,” he said.
“Don’t simply tell them you support them. Vote for them. Share their story. Buy from them. Recommend them. Because ultimately, the impact we imagine for Eswatini has to be built through millions of small decisions made by consumers every day.”
The winners will be unveiled on Thursday, 17 September, when the Made in Eswatini Consumer Choice Awards 2026 transforms Hilton Garden Inn Mbabane into a stage where the nation’s most celebrated local brands will finally discover who has earned the ultimate vote of confidence from Eswatini’s consumers.
Voting remains open until 16 September 2026 via the official Made in Eswatini Consumer Choice Awards platform, with votes processed through MTN MoMo.
(Courtesy Pic)
