BY LINDELWA MYENI
EZULWINI– Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima has challenged FNB Eswatini CEO Thokozani Dlamini to make next year’s FNB Eswatini Challenge the biggest edition yet, following what he described as the successful staging of the 2026 tournament.
Nzima issued the challenge during the 2026 FNB Eswatini Challenge Champion Crowning and Prize Giving Ceremony held at Ezulwini Golf and Country Club yesterday, as he commended FNB Eswatini and its partners for delivering a tournament that has continued to grow in stature.
“I now challenge you, CEO, to make the 2027 FNB Eswatini Challenge the biggest yet!” Nzima said.
The Minister said the fifth edition of the tournament had demonstrated that the Challenge was steadily growing beyond Eswatini’s borders, adding that its professionalism was evident from its launch through to the tournament itself.
He said the event had become a matter of national importance and praised FNB Eswatini, its partners and sponsors for staging what he described as a world-class event.
Nzima also highlighted the inaugural FNB Junior Golf Day, which brought together 30 young emaSwati to learn from and interact with professional golfers.
He said the inclusion of youngsters from rural and underserved communities, including Sihhoye, Manjengeni and Ludzeludze, was particularly encouraging as the country seeks to grow the sport from grassroots level.
The Minister further said the Challenge was making an impact beyond golf, with economic benefits being felt in the hospitality and retail sectors.
“From hospitality, to retailers, the benefits of the Challenge have cascaded across a wide spectrum,” Nzima said, describing the tournament as an example of how sport can create positive ripple effects across the wider economy.
He also commended the local sponsors for working together to deliver an event of international standards, saying the tournament had demonstrated the capacity of emaSwati and local businesses to collaborate successfully.
The 2026 FNB Eswatini Challenge culminated with Austin Batista being crowned champion, bringing the fifth edition to a close.
With the Minister now setting the bar higher for the next edition, the challenge has been placed firmly before FNB Eswatini and its partners to build on the tournament’s growing stature and deliver an even bigger 2027 edition.
Nzima concluded by congratulating the FNB Eswatini family and its partners for what he described as a brilliant tournament, telling them: “You certainly rose to the Challenge!”
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