BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Since its incorporation in 2009, Waterman Eswatini has steadily grown into one of the Kingdom’s most trusted providers of comprehensive water solutions, playing a vital role in supporting public health, industrial efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Guided by a clear vision to become a sub-regional company that creates sustainable value for both clients and shareholders, Waterman Eswatini has built a strong reputation for delivering customised water solutions that address immediate needs while safeguarding long-term water security. The company operates through three strategic divisions – Bottling, Technical Services and Retail – each contributing to Eswatini’s socio-economic development.
At the heart of Waterman Eswatini’s consumer offering is its bottling division, which produces a range of high-quality drinking water products. These include premium Water Plus alkaline mineral water, bottled in both glass and plastic formats, as well as still spring water sourced from the iconic Sibebe Mountain, recognised as the world’s second-largest granite rock. The division also provides branded bottled water solutions, enabling corporates, institutions and event organisers to enhance their brand visibility through customised packaging.
In addition, Waterman Eswatini offers affordable leasing of water dispensers for homes and workplaces, with full servicing and maintenance included. This service has helped improve access to safe drinking water while promoting convenience and reliability for customers across the country.
The company’s Technical Division represents a cornerstone of its operations, delivering turnkey solutions for both potable water treatment and wastewater management. Waterman Eswatini provides advanced water purification and disinfection systems, hard and salt water treatment, boiler and cooling tower treatment, and reverse osmosis plants. Its expertise extends to containerised and mobile water treatment plants, filtration systems, deionisation plants, and specialised chemical solutions for coagulation and flocculation.
Equally impactful is the company’s work in wastewater treatment, where it has implemented bio-reactor systems designed for low sludge production and ease of operation. These solutions support grey water recycling for toilet flushing, irrigation and car wash facilities, contributing to water conservation and cost efficiency. Waterman Eswatini also manages wastewater treatment operations for major corporates, including Mondelez, Montigny Ltd and Swazi MTN, underscoring its credibility within the private sector.
Leadership has been a key driver of the company’s success. Chief Executive Officer Thabiso Kunene, a qualified Chemical Engineer and MBA graduate, brings extensive experience from the Southern African water industry. Under his leadership, Waterman Eswatini has fostered a strong organisational culture that prioritises safety, regulatory compliance, and adherence to health standards and municipal by-laws. The company currently employs skilled personnel across its retail outlets and bottling facilities, with plans to expand as demand grows.
Over the years, Waterman Eswatini has delivered a range of high-impact projects. In potable water treatment, these include upgrades to SEC plants in Ezulwini and Edwaleni, purification systems in KOBWA Village, and water treatment installations for Sappi Usutu nurseries and forestry housing. A major ongoing project is the Balekane Prison potable water plant, with a capacity of 720 000 litres per day. In wastewater treatment, the company has completed plants for Ngonini Police Camp, Umdoni Village, Swazi MTN Office Park, Big Bend Correctional Services, and Vulamasango Prison in Malkerns.
The Retail Division further strengthens Waterman Eswatini’s reach, offering alkaline water refills, water purification equipment, branded and flavoured water products, as well as dispensers and refill services. The growing popularity of alkaline water reflects increased public awareness of its benefits, which include improved hydration, immune support, balanced body pH and enhanced detoxification.
Waterman Eswatini’s excellence has been recognised through numerous awards. CEO Thabiso Kunene has received Entrepreneur of the Year accolades in 2012 and 2017, while the company has also earned honours for innovation and social responsibility. Its strong presence at national trade fairs has resulted in Stand Excellence awards, including first prize at the 2018 Eswatini International Trade Fair, alongside recognition from the PMR Awards.
Beyond business, Waterman Eswatini remains deeply committed to corporate social responsibility, supporting initiatives such as the Bushfire Music Festival, SOS Children’s Villages, Cornerstone Home for the Disabled, and other community-focused organisations.
With a proven track record of innovation, sustainability and community engagement, Waterman Eswatini is well positioned to expand its footprint regionally, while continuing to provide reliable water solutions that support national development and improve quality of life for Emaswati.
