BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE- Tokky Hou, owner of Far East Textiles in Eswatini, has won the regional Manufacturer of the Year award at the Pan‑African Women Empowerment Summit (PAWES) in Cape Town.
Her achievement marks a significant milestone for Eswatini’s textile sector and highlights her unwavering commitment to empowering women and vulnerable communities.
Far East Textiles stands out as Eswatini’s only major textile factory owned by a Liswati entrepreneur. Under Hou’s leadership, the company has gained a reputation for exceptional production standards and a strong export presence, especially into the South African market. Her impressive track record has earned her multiple accolades, including the Top Woman Exporter Award in 2022 and Exporter of the Year in 2021.
Beyond manufacturing excellence, Hou has become a champion for community upliftment. Through her role as Chairperson of the Vukani BoMake Project, she has led an initiative that creates sustainable jobs for unemployed women, youth, and people with disabilities. The project transforms textile waste into reusable products, reducing environmental harm while expanding economic opportunities. To date, 14 cottage factories have been established in communities across Eswatini, offering a model for inclusive and climate-friendly innovation.
Hou’s recognition at PAWES reflects not only her success in manufacturing but also her broader vision for social and economic empowerment. With a workforce of nearly 600, 98% of whom are women, she continues to inspire industrial growth rooted in dignity, resilience, and sustainability.
Her victory sends a powerful message to Eswatini and the African continent: locally driven industrialisation, when fused with social impact, can unlock transformative progress.
(Courtesy Pic)
