BY SIPHOSETHU MABUZA (INTERN)
MBABANE– Benanial founder Thandiswa Maphanga has praised the European Union supported co-Creation Programme for helping grow her eco-conscious jewellery business and opening international opportunities.
Maphanga, one of the beneficiaries showcased at the Indalo Exhibition in Mbabane, shared how the programme has transformed her business journey through training, market access and international exposure.
The entrepreneur explained that she comes from a horticulture background but later discovered jewellery making as a creative outlet and form of self-expression. She said working with recycled and waste materials became a natural choice because of their accessibility, textures and ability to be transformed into contemporary jewellery pieces.
Maphanga said her brand, Benanial, focuses on creating unique and personal jewellery while promoting eco-conscious product development in Eswatini. She became part of the European Union supported initiative through the Future Icons Programme in 2025, a programme focused on supporting small businesses and creatives. According to Maphanga, the programme lasted almost a year and brought important growth opportunities for her business.
“The programme opened opportunities for us to trade outside Eswatini, especially in South Africa, and our products were also showcased in Geneva,” she said. She further explained that the programme gave her opportunities to exhibit at the Indalo Exhibition while also helping bring more structure to the business and improve product development.
Through the initiative, Maphanga received training in branding, product development, trade readiness and market access. She said the support helped her become more intentional about the materials used in her products and assisted in developing signature jewellery pieces for the Benanial brand.
The entrepreneur also highlighted how the programme created opportunities for the business to access new markets through exhibitions and popular festivals such as MTN Bushfire and Luju Festival for the first time.
She said participating in those events exposed the brand to customers from different parts of the world and helped improve their understanding of international markets while remaining rooted in Eswatini culture and identity.
Maphanga encouraged young entrepreneurs and creatives to make use of social media, stay informed about opportunities within their industries and apply for programmes that support growth and development. She said this is an important time for young entrepreneurs, especially young Black entrepreneurs, as many opportunities are now available for creatives willing to believe in their vision and grow their brands.
#Benanial #EUCoCreation #IndaloExhibition #Eswatini #CreativeEntrepreneurs #FutureIconsProgramme #SustainableDesign #MadeInEswatini
(Courtesy Pic)
