BY NONCEDO SHABANGU
MBABANE – Innovation met opportunity yesterday at the 2025 Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge (AGEC) Summit, held at the Hilton Garden Inn, where Kukhanyeni High’s Takitsi Matse was crowned top Business Pitch winner, walking away with E35 000 and high praise from the judges.
The summit marked the climax of months of competition, celebrating young innovators who are redefining Eswatini’s future through entrepreneurship and problem-solving. Matse’s winning pitch impressed the panel for its creativity and impact, earning her the top prize of E35 000. In second place was Busisiwe Tshuma from Imbuyiselo Academy, who walked away with E25 000, while Nokuphiwa Dlamini from Kukhanyeni High School secured third place with a prize of E15 000.
Recognising Young Talent
The High School Game category also honoured outstanding performers, with Nhlalo Shabangu from Imbuyiselo Academy taking the top spot and receiving E10 000, followed by Charles Litchfield and Siyabusiswa Kunene of Sifundzani High School, who each earned E8000. In the institutional category, Manzini Nazarene High School was crowned Top School for the 2025 Challenge, receiving E20 000 for its outstanding performance throughout the competition.
A Vision of Empowerment
Speaking at the event, Gavin Gray, the Regional Head of Orbis Foundation Nambotse Eswatini, highlighted the remarkable growth of the Challenge since its inception in 2023. “We started by testing this idea with one school. Today, 56 schools across Eswatini are part of the movement,” he said. “Our vision is simple yet powerful, we want to see an empowered and prosperous African society where young people thrive with dignity, hope, and ethical leadership.”
Inspiring a Generation
Dr. Sibongile Khumalo-Zwane, Deputy Regional Education Officer for Manzini, urged learners to embrace creativity and innovation as tools for nation building. “Your nation needs you. We need your creativity to solve our challenges,” she said, commending the participants for their courage and ingenuity.
The event closed on a high note, with participants leaving inspired to build sustainable enterprises and contribute to Eswatini’s economic transformation. The AGEC Summit continues to serve as a platform that nurtures entrepreneurship, equipping young people with the mindset and skills to create jobs and opportunities for others, a true reflection of Eswatini’s growing innovation spirit.
