BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
EZULWINI – His Majesty King Mswati III has hailed YKK Southern Africa’s 50-year presence in Eswatini as evidence of the confidence investors can place in the Kingdom, saying the company’s uninterrupted operations demonstrate that investments made in the country can grow and prosper over generations.
The King was speaking on Thursday night at the YKK Southern Africa 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner held at the Ezulwini Palazzo, where he delivered the keynote address before government leaders, business executives, diplomats and other distinguished guests.
The occasion also brought together members of the Royal Family, including King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, as well as senior YKK executives from Japan and across its international network.
Reflecting on the company’s history in Eswatini, His Majesty recalled that YKK made the decision to establish its operations in the Kingdom in 1976, at a time when the country was still developing its industrial base.
The company subsequently established its factory at Matsapha, with the original plant officially opened in 1977 by the late King Sobhuza II and YKK founder Tadao Yoshida.
YKK’s Eswatini operation dates back to 1976 and the factory has now been operating in the country for 50 years. YKK Southern Africa’s Eswatini facility is part of the company’s global manufacturing and distribution network serving local and international markets.
His Majesty said the company’s longevity was significant because it demonstrated sustained confidence in Eswatini as an investment destination.
He said the continued presence of YKK showed that the company had developed confidence and trust in the Kingdom and had been able to operate without interruption while growing its business.
The King said the relationship between Eswatini and YKK represented a partnership that had continued to develop over the decades.
He further acknowledged the contribution made by YKK to the country’s economy, particularly through manufacturing and employment, while expressing hope that the company would continue to expand its operations.
The King also welcomed King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and his delegation from KwaZulu-Natal, who attended the celebrations, as well as YKK’s global leadership and other international guests.
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, who preceded the King’s keynote address, described YKK’s 50 years of uninterrupted operations in Eswatini as an achievement of considerable significance.
The PM said YKK had established itself in the Kingdom at a time when Eswatini’s industrial foundations were still developing, and had remained through changing economic conditions, global market shifts and changes in industrial practices.
He said YKK had demonstrated that products manufactured in Eswatini could meet international standards and compete in regional and global markets.
The Prime Minister further linked YKK’s longevity to government’s efforts to position Eswatini as an investment destination and gateway into the wider African market.
He said the company had contributed to the national economy, provided livelihoods to thousands of emaSwati over successive generations and supported the development of the textile and apparel value chain.
“YKK has proven itself a trusted partner in the industrial development of the Kingdom,” Dlamini said.
The Prime Minister said manufacturing remained an important pillar of the country’s economic development agenda because of its ability to create formal employment and establish linkages with other sectors of the economy.
He also used the occasion to reassure existing and prospective investors that government remained committed to creating conditions that allowed businesses to invest, expand, innovate and create employment.
The Prime Minister described YKK’s long-term presence as an example of the potential for sustained investment in Eswatini.
The company’s growth over the five decades has been substantial. In information presented by YKK Southern Africa in 2025, the company said its initial investment of approximately E25 million in Eswatini in 1976 had grown alongside its operations, with annual turnover reported at about E325 million at the time. The company also indicated that it had committed additional funds towards land and machinery upgrades.
YKK was founded in Japan in 1934 by Tadao Yoshida and has since developed into a global manufacturer of fastening products. YKK Southern Africa says the group now operates across numerous markets worldwide, with the Eswatini factory supplying both local and global markets.
For Eswatini, Thursday’s Golden Jubilee celebration therefore marked not only five decades of YKK operations, but also five decades of an investment relationship that has survived changing economic circumstances and generations of leadership.
The evening concluded with a toast to YKK’s continued prosperity in Eswatini and around the world, before His Majesty King Mswati III delivered the keynote Royal Address.
The celebrations were attended by Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, captains of industry, diplomats, business leaders and members of the YKK Southern Africa team, with the presence of the two monarchs adding a distinctive royal dimension to the milestone occasion.
#YKK50 #YKKSouthernAfrica #KingMswatiIII #KingMisuzulu #Eswatini #Ezulwini #Matsapha #Manufacturing #Investment #GoldenJubilee
