BY PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
MANZINI – Datamatics Eswatini has done it again, bagging a global award at the 11th International Best Practice Competition 2025 and putting the Kingdom back on the world stage.
The IT powerhouse scooped top honours for its innovative GIS & MIS for Water-Based Management project, a breakthrough solution that wowed judges and solidified the company’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading tech players.
The Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO) was quick to celebrate the win, taking to social media with a message that captured the nation’s pride.
“From Eswatini to the world, you’ve done it! Winning at the 11th International Best Practice Competition 2025 and proudly representing Africa on the global stage is a true milestone. This is more than a victory for your company, it is a national triumph for Eswatini,” the statement read.
Speaking after the announcement, Datamatics Eswatini Director Sibusiso Baartjies said the award was not just recognition of innovation but of resilience.
“This is proof that African excellence can compete and win globally. We’ve always believed in building solutions that are not only smart but sustainable. To stand tall among the best in the world is both humbling and empowering,” he said.
Baartjies added that this was not the company’s first taste of international glory, recalling previous wins at the MRSI Golden Key Awards and the Stevie Awards.
“Each award is a reminder that consistency matters. Innovation is not an event, it is a culture, and at Datamatics, we live by that every day,” he explained.
He also paid tribute to SEDCO, government partners, and the wider private sector, saying collaboration is key to scaling solutions that create real impact.
“We dedicate this win to every young Swazi who dreams big, every entrepreneur who refuses to give up, and every institution that believes in homegrown solutions,” he noted.
Datamatics, which was crowned Entrepreneur of the Year in 2024, is no stranger to breaking barriers. Its track record includes cutting-edge consultancy in software development, GIS, and land surveying, as well as partnerships with both government and private players to advance entrepreneurship and sustainable growth.
The International Best Practice Competition (IBPC) is one of the world’s most respected business benchmarking platforms, drawing innovators across continents to showcase and learn from each other.
For Eswatini, this latest accolade is more than a trophy, it’s a powerful message that local innovation can shine globally.
Or, as Baartjies put it with a smile: “This award is not the end, it’s the beginning of even greater things to come. Watch this space, Datamatics is just getting started.”
(Courtesy Pics)
