… his farming and business enterprises have created employment opportunities for approximately 50 young people from surrounding communities.
…opportunity to wear the national uniform not only shaped him into a disciplined soldier but also inspired him to become a successful commercial farmer and businessman.
BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MANKAYANE – What began as a career in military service has grown into an inspiring story of entrepreneurship, food production and youth empowerment for Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) soldier Private Mncedisi Vilakati, who has thanked His Majesty King Mswati III for inspiring him to pursue farming while serving his country.
After 18 years of dedicated service in the UEDF, Private Vilakati says the opportunity to wear the national uniform not only shaped him into a disciplined soldier but also inspired him to become a successful commercial farmer and businessman.
Serving in the UEDF’s Close Protection Unit (CPU), Vilakati said His Majesty’s consistent encouragement for members of the security forces to venture into agriculture motivated him to invest in farming, a decision that has now yielded an impressive 100 tonnes of maize, which is ready for the market.
The soldier, who comes from Ngcoseni in Mankayane under Chief Masiphula Fakudze, said joining the army transformed his outlook on life and gave him the confidence to pursue opportunities beyond his military responsibilities.
“The opportunity to serve in the army has opened my eyes to many possibilities. I am grateful to His Majesty King Mswati III for believing in the potential of soldiers to contribute to national development beyond their military responsibilities. His call for members of the armed forces to venture into farming inspired me to take agriculture seriously, and today I am enjoying the fruits of that decision,” said Vilakati.
His remarkable harvest is more than a personal achievement. It demonstrates how agriculture can complement formal employment while contributing to the country’s food security, economic growth and rural development.
Beyond farming, Private Vilakati has also established Umtfombo Longashi, a business operating both a bottle store and a hardware outlet at Ngcoseni. He said the businesses complement his agricultural activities while stimulating economic activity within his community.
Perhaps even more significant is the impact his ventures have had on young people. Vilakati revealed that his farming and business enterprises have created employment opportunities for approximately 50 young people from surrounding communities, giving many of them an opportunity to earn an income while gaining valuable work experience.
He believes creating jobs for young people is among his proudest achievements because it strengthens families while helping to address unemployment.
Vilakati encouraged emaSwati, particularly the youth, to embrace farming as a profitable business rather than viewing it solely as a means of subsistence.
“The youth should take advantage of the opportunities available in agriculture. Farming is a business that can create jobs, improve livelihoods and contribute significantly to the country’s economy. We should work together to realise His Majesty’s vision of a prosperous and self-reliant Eswatini,” he said.
He added that entrepreneurship and agriculture provide an excellent opportunity for employed people to generate additional income while contributing to national development.
His journey highlights how discipline, commitment and perseverance—qualities developed through military service—can also produce outstanding success in business and agriculture.
Private Vilakati’s story is expected to inspire fellow UEDF personnel, members of other security services, civil servants and aspiring entrepreneurs to utilise available land and resources productively. It reinforces the message that service to the nation does not end with one’s official duties but can be extended through initiatives that improve food production, create jobs and stimulate local economic growth.
As Eswatini continues to prioritise food security, youth employment and economic empowerment, Private Mncedisi Vilakati stands as a shining example of what is possible when determination meets opportunity. His success demonstrates that soldiers can protect the nation while also helping to feed it, proving that agriculture remains one of the country’s most powerful tools for building wealth, strengthening communities and advancing His Majesty King Mswati III’s vision of transforming Eswatini into a prosperous first-world nation.
