BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI – A Matsapha-based, youth-led cleaning products manufacturer, Kiana Cleanings, has won the first prize of E8 000 at the Youth Business Accelerator (YBA), with its growth creating 16 employment opportunities and demonstrating how youth entrepreneurship can contribute to tackling unemployment in Eswatini. Founded by Zandisile Mavimbela in June 2025, the business is now looking to expand production and reach a wider market.
Operating from the Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO) premises in Matsapha, Kiana Cleanings manufactures cleaning detergents and hygiene products, including dishwashing liquid, pine gel, bleach and multipurpose cleaners for households and businesses.
The business has established a team comprising three management members, three production employees and 10 independent sales agents, creating opportunities in management, manufacturing and product distribution.
Mavimbela established the company with a vision of strengthening local manufacturing while creating economic opportunities for young people, particularly women. She saw the everyday demand for cleaning products as an opportunity to produce locally, build a sustainable enterprise and keep more economic value within the country.
Since its establishment, Kiana Cleanings has developed its product range despite starting with limited resources and equipment. Its first-prize win at the YBA marks an important step in the company’s growth, providing financial support to address production challenges and pursue new market opportunities.
The E8 000 prize money is expected to help the company purchase raw materials and packaging, which Mavimbela identified as major costs limiting its ability to increase production.
Kiana Cleanings currently produces approximately 400 bottles per month but aims to increase output to 1 330 bottles. Achieving this target would more than triple its current monthly production capacity, strengthening its ability to serve more customers and pursue larger supply opportunities.
Mavimbela said access to working capital remained a major challenge for emerging manufacturers, even when they had products and opportunities to grow.
“Even when you have the knowledge, the products, and the market opportunity, limited resources can prevent you from producing at the scale required,” she said.
The founder said the prize money would provide an initial boost towards expanding operations, although additional resources would be needed to achieve the company’s long-term ambitions.
As production increases, the business intends to strengthen its distribution network, reach more retailers and businesses, and improve its ability to fulfil customer orders. Sustained growth could also create further employment opportunities beyond its current team of 16.
Alongside its production targets, Kiana Cleanings is working to strengthen product quality and prepare for wider market access.
Mavimbela said the company had pursued laboratory testing and manufacturing audits and was progressing through relevant certification processes, including the Ingelo certification scheme.
She explained that manufacturing cleaning products required careful attention to formulation, raw-material quality, packaging, testing and applicable safety requirements.
Maintaining appropriate standards is important in building customer confidence and positioning the business to supply a broader market.
SEDCO has supported Kiana Cleanings by providing production space at Matsapha. Mavimbela also cited entrepreneurship development initiatives, including the Kuyenteka programme and YBA, as opportunities that have strengthened her understanding of business management, financial literacy, marketing and growth planning.
She said access to suitable facilities and business-development support could help young entrepreneurs turn small operations into structured businesses with the potential to expand and employ more people.
With 16 people involved in its management, production and sales network, Kiana Cleanings aims to increase output, expand its customer base and establish a stronger presence in the local market.
The planned expansion presents an opportunity for further job creation, although this will depend on the company’s ability to secure sustained demand and grow its operations.
Mavimbela encouraged young emaSwati interested in entrepreneurship to identify problems they could solve, understand their markets and make use of available business-development opportunities.
“You cannot build a sustainable manufacturing business on passion alone; you need systems, quality, compliance, financial discipline, and persistence,” she said.
Her long-term ambition is to grow Kiana Cleanings into a competitive Swati manufacturing brand that serves more customers within Eswatini and eventually reaches markets beyond the country’s borders.
The company’s journey highlights the role small, locally owned manufacturers can play in creating employment, developing local production capacity and turning everyday consumer needs into opportunities for economic growth.
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