BY LINDEKILE MNTJALI
MBABANE – The founder and creative director of Cotton Sway was treated to an all-expenses-paid weekend at the prestigious Durban July event in South Africa last Friday (July 5, 2024).
Bonkhe Shabangu confirmed this during an interview yesterday with this publication. He said, “They identified me as a brand influencer and went on to give me a fully sponsored trip,” he said.
Shabangu divulged that his participation in the Eswatini Beverages Durban July Team was a result of his positive reviews of the Castle Lite Pop-up at MoMo Xperience and Corona Sunset Bushfire. His descriptive and favourable critique of these events impressed the organisers and evidently caught the attention of Eswatini Beverages, paving the way for his inclusion in the team.
”My Durban July experience starts with me getting to Durban through a plane, which was my first-time experience. The Durban July event is crazy, amazing, and exciting to experience! It was my first-time experience to attend the biggest horse racing event in Africa,” said Shabangu.
Shabangu disclosed that his Durban July experience comprised more than the highly anticipated horse racing event alone. He also attended the Corona Sunset at Tiger’s Milk, Anywhere in Your City Festival, and explored the Oceans Mall courtesy of Eswatini Beverages.
In addition to his dynamic career as a teacher, specialising in mathematics, integrated science, and biology, Shabangu’s professional portfolio extends into numerous impressive ventures. Alongside his role as a respected educator, he is a renowned author, motivational speaker, and accomplished brand influencer, with three nominations in the Top 5 Street Culture Clothing Brand of the Year category in the Eswatini Creators Awards under his belt.
Moreover, he has taken the entrepreneurial path by establishing his own clothing brand, ‘Cotton Sway,’ highlighting his diverse skills and inclination towards fashion.
As a brand influencer, he has partnered with MTN Eswatini and served as a brand ambassador for United Holdings. He is very passionate about branding, marketing, and youth empowerment.
He further expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Eswatini Beverages. “I am grateful for the opportunity they created for me, from how I was identified to the hospitality received throughout the trip. I am encouraged to keep doing what I do, being a crazy thinker, and carving a relentless path in my brand influencer career,” he said.
He emphasised the power of positivity and that people must radiate a positive mind-set because nothing game-changing will ever come from a negative mind-set.
