By Phesheya Ian Kunene
MANZINI – Global business leader and venture capitalist Vusi Thembekwayo delivered a game-changing keynote at the Unlock Summit 2025, energising Eswatini’s entrepreneurial spirit with a powerful call to scale up and lead boldly.
Addressing a full house at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre, Thembekwayo challenged local startups to break out of survival mode and aim for impactful growth.
“The role of a startup is not to stay small, but to grow and contribute meaningfully to the economy,” he said.
His message was clear: small thinking limits big potential. “If a small business remains small, it doesn’t impact the economy,” he added, urging founders to pursue scale, relevance, and sustainability.
Unlocking Africa’s Potential
Thembekwayo painted a compelling picture of Africa’s untapped youth dividend, noting that with over 60% of the continent’s population under 25, the future is rich with possibility.
“Once these young people begin earning, building careers, and launching businesses, Africa will transform,” he said.
The summit, which brought together government leaders, CEOs, and innovators, was held under the theme “Unlocking Potential and Building Purpose-Driven Businesses.”
A Night of Purposeful Dialogue
The inspiration began even before the main event, during a Speaker’s Dinner described by Eswatini Bank MD Nozizwe Mulela as “everything I hoped for.”
“There was honesty, connection, and a shared sense of purpose,” said Mulela, who shared a personal dialogue with Thembekwayo on visionary, community-rooted leadership in Africa.
She later joined a high-impact panel alongside Instacash MD Mandla ‘Cheeks’ Nxumalo, Ubombo Sugar MD Muzi Siyaya, and Mbabane Municipal Council CEO Gciniwe Fakudze. Mulela spoke candidly about the loneliness of leadership and the power of values and vision in staying grounded.
Bold Ideas and Honest Truths
In his keynote, Thembekwayo unpacked the key drivers of entrepreneurial success: value chains, digital presence, consumer insight, and the courage to challenge the status quo.
“Any business not operating online is as good as dead,” he warned, urging entrepreneurs to be present where customers are, online, mobile, and global.
Using examples like Coca-Cola’s adaptive marketing, he reminded attendees that even global giants evolve, and so must small businesses. His “Five Levels of Entrepreneurship” framework guided founders from mere business ownership to becoming economic catalysts.
Leadership with Heart
In a moving reflection, Thembekwayo shared how authentic leadership, trust, and global collaboration have shaped his journey. He praised his unseen but invaluable team, like a remote social media manager he has never met in person, as proof that talent and trust transcend geography.
“Think global,” he urged. “Don’t wait to be discovered. Tell your own story. Celebrate your own greatness.”
He concluded with a powerful reminder that leadership is not about ego, but about guiding others to shine.
“You’re not the star; you’re a cast member in the movie of success.”
Building Big, Building Bold
As the summit continues to spark conversations, Thembekwayo’s closing words remain etched in many minds:
“Greatness is a choice. And if you’re building something, build it big.”
With that, Eswatini’s business community walks away not just motivated, but mobilised to think bigger, scale faster, and lead Africa into a new chapter of innovation and economic growth.