BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE– Local consulting firm REDI has secured five partners for the third edition of the Family Business Summit, scheduled for September 24, 2026 at Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini.
The summit is expected to bring together family-owned businesses, experts and other stakeholders to discuss ways of strengthening family enterprises and ensuring their survival across generations.
REDI Chief Executive Dr Sikhomba Gumbi said the firm had secured KPMG – Family Enterprises and Standard Bank as knowledge partners, while SNG Grant Thornton Eswatini and South Africa-based Sothaba Enterprise Associates will also contribute to the summit.
The event will further feature experienced local family business owners who will form part of a panel discussion, providing an opportunity to share practical experiences on managing and growing family enterprises.
“This year the theme is ‘Building Resilient Legacies: Embracing a Multi-Generational Mindset’,” said Gumbi.
He said the theme was designed to address the challenges involved in not only successfully running a family business, but also managing the transition from one generation to another.
The summit aims to promote best practices and governance arrangements that can enable family-owned businesses to expand and survive beyond the lifetime of their founders, ultimately creating lasting legacies and intergenerational wealth.
Gumbi noted that many local family businesses have limited growth and often collapse following the demise of their founders, unlike family enterprises in other jurisdictions that have survived for generations.
“Family businesses are the main contributors to national economies the world over through the jobs they provide, income they generate and the wealth they create,” he said.
He added that family businesses also have a wider impact on the communities in which they operate, while carrying legacies, traditions and values across generations.
Examples of major family-owned businesses globally include Volkswagen Group in Germany, Samsung Group in Korea, Tata Group in India and Walmart in the United States. In Africa, examples include Dangote, Pick n Pay, Remgro, African Rainbow Minerals and Italtile.
Locally, Gumbi cited United Holdings, Monsoor Group and Thorne Family among family-owned businesses.
The summit will also focus on one of the key strengths of family businesses – their long-term outlook. According to REDI, unlike publicly traded companies that can be driven by short-term results, family enterprises often prioritise sustainability and continuity, enabling them to withstand economic challenges and operate across generations.
Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industry Manqoba Khumalo will officially open the summit.
International speakers include Alan Barr and Creagh Sudding of KPMG South Africa, Siduduzo Ntshangase of Standard Bank Group and renowned South African speaker Dr Billy Selekane.
The local panel will include Chas Prettejohn of Ngwenya Glass and Thabo Magagula of Umelusi Group, with additional participants expected to be announced.
The programme will also provide opportunities for one-on-one sessions with specialists.
In preparation for the main event, REDI plans to host a Family Business regional workshop in Manzini, while local businesses are being encouraged to participate in the summit.
The previous summit was held under the theme “Growing Legacies, Embracing Change”, while this year’s focus places greater emphasis on resilience and preparing family businesses for successful multi-generational transition.
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