BY THEMBA ZWANE
EZULWINI – Local golfers and sports industry stakeholders have praised the role of the FNB Eswatini Challenge in developing golf in Eswatini and supporting economic growth as the fifth edition of the tournament gets underway this week.
This year’s Challenge was launched with a record-breaking E2.5 million prize pool as well as the addition of a first-of-its kind Junior Golf Day that will be hosted on Wednesday. According to local professional golfer MJ Dlamini, competing against Sunshine Tour professionals helps local golfers raise their game. “Through FNB Eswatini’s partnership with the Sunshine Tour, we have a platform to perform at home, and it gives us a chance to showcase the talent from Eswatini whilst helping build the next generation of golfers. The Challenge is also important in helping people understand that sport can be a job even in a small country like Eswatini,” he said.
Fellow professional Nicholus Vilakati believes the tournament has become Eswatini’s premier golf event. “It has been encouraging to watch the tournament grow over the past five years. It gives us the opportunity to compete against some of the best players in Africa and beyond, helping us grow our game. I believe the day is coming when we will see a liSwati golfer competing to win the title,” Vilakati said.
Looking ahead, local professional Brandon Rennie believes the Challenge has given local professionals confidence that they can compete internationally. “Competing against Sunshine Tour professionals has shown me the standard required to compete consistently at the highest level. It has also shown me that the gap is not impossible to bridge,” he said.
These sentiments were echoed by Mandla Dlamini, President of the Eswatini Professional Golfers Association (EPGA), who says the tournament’s greatest achievement has been creating opportunities for local professionals. “The local pre-qualifiers have opened doors for emaSwati golfers to compete on the Sunshine Tour schedule,” he said, adding that the tournament has also created opportunities for caddies while generating business for the hospitality industry.
According to Sunshine Tour Tournament Director Ludwick Manyama, the FNB Eswatini Challenge has underscored Eswatini’s ability to host world-class sporting events. “Over the past five years, the FNB Eswatini Challenge has continued to establish itself as a valued tournament on the Sunshine Tour schedule. Its growth is based on the strong partnership and efforts between FNB Eswatini and the Sunshine Tour as the event has consistently attracted highly competitive fields comprising of leading Sunshine Tour professionals alongside promising regional talent. The progress can be seen by how the tournament has evolved in both its operational delivery and player experience, with continued investment in course presentation, standards and tournament infrastructure. It has also strengthened its profile by delivering a world-class professional event that meets Sunshine Tour standards while showcasing Eswatini as a capable host of international golf,” Manyama said.
…. CHALLENGE CREDITED FOR REIGNITING SPORTS TOURISM
The FNB Eswatini Challenge has been credited for helping reignite the country’s sports tourism following the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Vusi Dlamini, Chief Executive Officer of the Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA), the FNB Eswatini Challenge has helped reignite sports tourism following the COVID-19 pandemic. Dlamini says annual international tourist arrivals increased from just over 210 000 to 502 000, while tourism employment grew from 10 217 to 13 420 jobs when the tournament resumed post COVID-19. Tourism’s contribution to GDP also increased from E645 million in 2023 to E1.174 billion in 2024.
“The FNB Eswatini Challenge has contributed positively to tourism statistics through jobs in hotels, restaurants, transport and the informal sector. August consistently ranks among the top four tourism months each year, demonstrating the tournament’s significant contribution to the economy,” he said.
According to Kevin Zwane, Operations Manager at Ezulwini Golf and Country Club, preparations for the Challenge begin months before the tournament, creating employment for more than 30 casual workers while supporting local suppliers, contractors and tourism businesses. He said the Challenge has also elevated the Club’s regional profile, attracted more golf groups and returning professionals, and reinforced confidence in Eswatini’s ability to host world-class sporting events.
For Arthur Horne, Managing Director of AD Enterprises, one of the tournament’s partners, supporting the Challenge has always been about investing in the future of the sport.
“The FNB Eswatini Challenge helped revive professional golf following the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to create opportunities for the sport to grow,” he said.
Meanwhile, Captain of Eswatini Nomads Vusi Dlamini says the tournament’s greatest legacy lies in the opportunities it creates beyond tournament week.
“Through the annual scoring initiative, about E40 000 is raised each year and invested in junior golf, women’s golf, coaching programmes and equipment, helping develop the next generation of emaSwati golfers,” Dlamini said.
According to Sibusile Dlamini, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of FNB Eswatini, the Challenge reflects the bank’s commitment to meaningfully investing in Eswatini’s growth.
“As FNB Eswatini, ‘Sitintile Eswatini futsi asiyindzawo.’ We are therefore constantly challenging ourselves to invest meaningfully in initiatives that create opportunities, develop talent and contribute to Eswatini’s long-term growth. We firmly believe that purposeful investment in sport can help us achieve our shared development goals,” she said.
The main tournament will take place from Thursday to Saturday and will be preceded by a two-day client Pro-Am in which the bank’s clients and stakeholders will play with selected professional golfers. On Wednesday at MTN Golf Park, 30 young emaSwati aged between 8 and 18 will take part in the inaugural FNB Junior Golf Day and will play and learn from six professional golfers who are part of the Sunshine Tour. A total of 15 emaSwati will take part in this year’s Challenge, with FNB Eswatini, as it did last year, setting aside E60 000 to recognise the three best performing locals in the main tournament.
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