BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
EZULWINI – Disability has not stopped Themba Magagula from turning his skills and entrepreneurial spirit into a livelihood for his family, and his determination was rewarded when his business, Mbathe Mobile, triumphed at the Hhohho Regional Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2026.
Hailing from Bulandzeni, Magagula emerged victorious in the Business Owned by Person with Disabilities category during the awards ceremony held at Sibane Sami Hotel in Ezulwini on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
For Magagula, the victory is more than a certificate and prize money. It is recognition of a journey built on resilience and determination, with his business playing an important role in supporting his family.
“Running this business helps me to support my children. I am able to keep them in school and also provide for the needs at home,” Magagula said.
Through Mbathe Mobile, Magagula combines his skills as an artisan with his work as a mobile money vendor. He makes and sells handcrafted wooden kitchenware, utensils and racks while also providing mobile money services to customers.
The business has become a vital source of income for his family, allowing him to meet his responsibilities while pursuing his goal of growing the enterprise.
However, his entrepreneurial journey has not been without challenges.
Magagula said the lack of proper woodworking tools has made it difficult for him to increase production and fully realise the potential of his craft, while limited operational capital has also affected the running of his mobile money business.
“I have challenges because I do not have proper tools for my woodworking business, and sometimes I also do not have enough capital to keep the business running,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Magagula persevered and entered the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, giving his business an opportunity to be recognised alongside other enterprises from across the Hhohho Region.
His decision paid off when Mbathe Mobile was named the winner in the Business Owned by Person with Disabilities category.
Magagula was awarded E10 000 and a certificate for his achievement, providing him with an opportunity to invest directly in the growth of his business.
He said the prize money would help him address some of the challenges that have affected his operations.
“This money will help me to buy the tools that I need for my woodworking business and also to buy more stock,” Magagula said.
He added that part of the money would be invested in his mobile money vending operations to ensure that he always has sufficient cash float to serve customers.
“I will also use it to make sure that I have enough float for my mobile money business so that I do not have to turn customers away when they need my services,” he said.
For Magagula, having adequate operational capital is essential to keeping his business running smoothly and ensuring that customers receive reliable services.
The award therefore comes at a crucial time, giving him an opportunity to turn recognition into practical business growth.
With better tools, increased stock and sufficient mobile money float, Magagula hopes to strengthen his operations and build a more sustainable enterprise.
His victory has also placed the spotlight on the potential of entrepreneurs living with disabilities.
Magagula’s story demonstrates that disability does not have to be a barrier to economic participation, entrepreneurship or the ability to support a family.
By building and running his own enterprise, he has created a source of income that enables him to provide for his children while contributing to economic activity in his community.
The recognition also highlights the importance of platforms that give entrepreneurs with disabilities an opportunity to showcase their capabilities and compete alongside other business owners.
Mbathe Mobile was among the businesses recognised during the Hhohho regional awards, which form part of the 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards programme.
The awards are implemented by the Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO), in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade and FNB Eswatini.
