BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBABANE– Efforts to build healthier, more productive and empowering workplaces in Eswatini are set to gain renewed momentum as the Empowered Workplace Indaba returns for its second edition on October 30, 2026.
The national platform is expected to bring together leaders, professionals and policymakers committed to fostering positive workplace cultures that enhance employee well-being, strengthen organisational performance and contribute to the country’s broader economic growth.
The Empowered Workplace Indaba was founded and hosted by workplace culture consultant and author Sipholesihle Daisy Lukhele. It was created as a high-level national gathering to address workplace toxicity, share corporate culture insights and promote healthier, more empowering environments across institutions.
The event continues to position itself as a space for meaningful dialogue on workplace relations, leadership development and organisational culture, while equipping institutions with practical strategies to build environments where employees can thrive and businesses can succeed.
Building on its founding vision, organisers say the initiative was designed to spark honest conversations around workplace culture and encourage organisations to adopt values rooted in respect, accountability, inclusion and employee empowerment.
The upcoming 2026 edition follows the success of the inaugural Empowered Workplace Indaba, held on December 6, 2025, at the Mountain View Hotel in Mbabane. The historic gathering marked Eswatini’s first national dialogue dedicated specifically to addressing workplace toxicity and rebuilding corporate culture.
Held under the theme “Rebuilding Corporate Culture: From Toxicity to Empowerment”, the 2025 edition brought together senior executives, human resource practitioners and policymakers from across the country. Key speakers included the Minister of Labour and Social Security, alongside business leaders from Eswatini Bank and the Institute of People Management.
Discussions at the inaugural forum highlighted critical issues such as strategic talent retention, managing risks linked to workplace conduct, and the hidden financial costs of weak organisational culture. Participants also explored practical approaches to building workplaces that foster productivity, innovation and employee satisfaction.
The 2026 Indaba aims to deepen these conversations, with a stronger focus on leadership development, employee engagement, workplace wellness, communication and sustainable organisational growth. Participants will also benefit from networking opportunities and expert-led sessions showcasing successful workplace transformation practices.
Organisers emphasise that strong workplace cultures remain essential for attracting and retaining talent, while improving overall organisational performance. They note that many institutions continue to face cultural challenges that, if left unaddressed, can affect morale, productivity and long-term growth.
“Most workplaces have broken cultures; the worst part is that organisations don’t even recognise it,” the Indaba’s central message reads, underscoring the importance of intentional culture assessment and transformation.
As the world of work continues to evolve, initiatives such as the Empowered Workplace Indaba are increasingly seen as vital platforms for building resilient organisations and empowered employees across Eswatini.
With preparations for the October event underway, stakeholders remain optimistic that the second edition will further inspire positive transformation across workplaces, helping to create environments where employees feel valued, supported and motivated to contribute meaningfully to shared success.
The 2026 edition is expected to attract a diverse mix of participants from both the public and private sectors, reflecting a growing national commitment to strengthening workplace cultures that support both people and organisational excellence.
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(Courtesy Pic)
