BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
SITEKI – Job creation, investment attraction and tourism development are set to receive renewed attention in the Lubombo Region following the official launch of the Lubombo Business Forum (LBF), a business-led initiative bringing key stakeholders together to unlock the region’s potential.
The Forum was officially launched on September 9, 2026, at the Regional Administration (RA) Office at Siteki, marking a major milestone for an initiative established on June 23, 2025.
Operating under the auspices of the Regional Administration, the LBF brings together businesses and stakeholders with a shared vision of stimulating job creation, positioning Lubombo as a tourism-ready region and increasing the vibrancy of the area.
It will also promote events capable of strengthening Lubombo’s profile as a destination for investment, tourism, business and major events.
A key highlight of the launch was the presentation of the Forum’s Certificate of Incorporation, formally recognising the LBF as a cooperative and providing it with a stronger institutional foundation.
The Forum is led by an elected leadership comprising Mr Samson Sithole of EWADE as Chairperson, Mr Ishmond Fakudze of RES as Vice Chairperson, Mr Leonard Ndzimandze of Illovo as Treasurer and Ms Sthembile Simelane of Siteki Town Council as Secretary.
Speaking during the launch, LBF Chairperson Samson Sithole said collaboration would be essential in unlocking the opportunities available across the region.
“Lubombo has vast potential, but that potential can only be fully realised when we stop working in isolation and come together to pool our ideas, resources and opportunities,” said Sithole.
He said the Forum would provide stakeholders with a platform to identify opportunities and pursue them collectively.
“This Forum gives us an opportunity to work together, identify opportunities together and find ways of turning those opportunities into initiatives that can create jobs and contribute to the growth of Lubombo,” he said.
Regional Administrator Mr Themba Msibi said the Forum would also bring greater coordination and visibility to activities taking place across the region.
“The Forum is intended to bring order, coordination and visibility to the activities taking place across the region,” said Msibi.
He said improved communication among stakeholders would help ensure that major events were properly planned and did not unnecessarily clash.
“We want stakeholders to know what is happening across the region and to ensure that major events do not unnecessarily clash. Through better coordination, we can create greater visibility for our activities and allow more people and businesses to benefit,” he said.
The coordination of activities is expected to strengthen planning and enable stakeholders to take advantage of opportunities presented by events taking place throughout the region.
With its formal recognition as a cooperative, the LBF now has an institutional platform through which businesses and stakeholders can coordinate activities, share information and collectively pursue opportunities.
The launch marks the beginning of a new phase for the initiative, which seeks to bring together the region’s business community and other stakeholders behind a common vision for Lubombo.
As the Forum begins its work, its focus will be on translating collaboration into practical initiatives that strengthen the region’s visibility, create opportunities and support its transformation.
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