By NONCEDO SHABANGU
MBABANE – Educators across Eswatini have been recognised as pivotal contributors to the country’s economic transformation, following the 2025 Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge (AGEC) Summit held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mbabane.
The event was held on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Sibongile Khumalo-Zwane, Deputy Regional Education Officer for Manzini, reframed the AGEC as more than just a competition — describing it instead as a national movement rooted in innovation, resilience, and possibility.
Dr Khumalo-Zwane applauded the country’s youth for daring to create a better future rather than passively inheriting one. “The future of Eswatini rests not in what we inherit, but in what we dare to create,” she told attendees, receiving widespread applause.
Educators as Nation Builders
A central focus of her speech was the vital role of teachers in nurturing entrepreneurial thinking. She referred to educators as the “unsung heroes of this journey”, acknowledging their commitment to going beyond the standard curriculum.
“You are not just educating students — you are shaping the economic future of Eswatini,” she said. “Every lesson in entrepreneurship is an Investment in job creation, innovation, and the prosperity of our nation.”
Dr Khumalo-Zwane stressed that entrepreneurial education empowers learners to become “active architects of the future”. She added that it moves education beyond rote memorisation and towards equipping students with critical thinking skills, creativity, and the resilience needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Celebrating Youth Innovation
The summit celebrated the achievements of the finalists in the AGEC Business Pitch Competition: Takitsi Matse, Busisiwe Tshuma, and Nokuphiwa Dlamini. These young entrepreneurs were praised for choosing to think differently and for pursuing their ideas with determination.
“You have already won by deciding to act — to create instead of wait,” Dr Khumalo-Zwane told the finalists. “You have shown your peers that entrepreneurship is not reserved for a select few, but is a path open to anyone with vision, determination, and courage.”
In a powerful call to action, she encouraged all learners in Eswatini to see themselves as problem-solvers and innovators. “We need your creativity to solve our challenges. We need your boldness to pursue ideas others might dismiss.”
Growing Impact
The AGEC programme, which began with a single school, now includes 56 schools across the country — a testament to its growing influence. Gavin Gray, Regional Head of Orbis Foundation Nambotse Eswatini, noted the expansion as a sign of a shifting educational culture in Eswatini.
The Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to fostering entrepreneurial education, with hopes that the summit will act as a catalyst for continued innovation in classrooms nationwide.
Dr Khumalo-Zwane closed her address by reminding participants that the future economy of Eswatini depends not only on policy, but on the daily efforts of educators and learners alike.
“The work you do matters. You are building more than businesses — you are building Eswatini’s tomorrow,” she concluded.
