By Noncedo Shabangu
MBABANE – Graduation didn’t come with job offers for Mlandvo Vilakati from Ngculwini at Jubela, but that didn’t stop him. With determination and a teaching diploma in hand, he’s carving his own route to success and proving that setbacks can spark powerful comebacks.
Vilakati is the founder of Smart Movers, a motivational club with a growing membership of 36 young people many of them artists. The club is focused on inspiring youth to take initiative, use their talents, and generate income through creative and practical means. “We talk transformation, but we also act on it,” says Vilakati. “It’s about changing mindsets and moving forward. Smart Movers also runs community clean up campaigns and emphasizes the importance of art as a tool for expression and self employment.
Adding to his list of ventures is a bold clothing brand, Hlezi Basho (HB) Clothing. The name, meaning “People will always talk”, reflects Vilakati’s belief in staying focused regardless of public opinion. Launched in 2020, HB Clothing offers custom made T- shirts, hoodies, tracksuits, and crop tops. Vilakati works with a talented tailor to bring each design to life based on customer preferences. “We don’t buy and resell we design and make from scratch. It’s all about originality and giving people exactly what they want,” he says.
Beyond the motivational work, Vilakati has ventured into food service. Noticing construction workers at a new filling station nearby, he started preparing and selling meals to them. What began as a side hustle is quickly gaining momentum. “People like the food and keep coming back. I’m planning to expand the menu and eventually operate a mobile kitchen,” he says.
Vilakati’s drive is more than personal ambition it’s a message. He wants Eswatini’s youth to see that you don’t have to wait for employment to succeed. His journey is a practical example of how young people can turn skills and ideas into income generating ventures.
His success shows that qualifications alone don’t define the future. It’s how one uses their time, skills, and energy that makes the difference. Through entrepreneurship, Vilakati is doing more than getting by, he’s setting an example for others.
