By Phiwa Sikhondze
Eswatini Coca-Cola Beverages (ECCB) has taken another step toward uplifting informal traders at the Manzini Main Market by donating five mobile kitchens as part of its Biznis in a Box initiative.
The beverage company also provided 18 other traders with essential tools such as gas stoves, cooler boxes, cutlery, tablecloths, and start-up stock for their restaurants in the Manzini Main Market. The total value of the donation stands at over E160,000.
The Biznis in a Box campaign aims to empower small-scale entrepreneurs by equipping them with resources to grow their businesses and achieve sustainability. The five mobile kitchens are a game-changer for the selected traders, enabling them to improve efficiency and expand their services.
The initiative is a partnership between ECCB and Business Eswatini (BE) that aims to empower and assist local entrepreneurs in the food industry by offering them access to markets, training, and mentorship.
The Bizniz-in-a-Box initiative is one of the many initiatives that ECCB and BE have undertaken to support the MSME sector in Eswatini. The initiative is also in line with the revised MSME National Policy and Citizens Economic Empowerment Act, which aims to create an enabling environment for MSMEs to grow and succeed in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Sithembile Dlamini, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Business Women Eswatini and Coca-Cola Beverages Eswatini.
“This donation has brought a new chapter to our businesses. The donation will help revive our businesses and attract more people to my restaurant. It will go a long way toward promoting independence in us as women. We thank Coca-Cola for recognizing our potential and investing in us,” she said.
“These mobile kitchens are not just tools; they are catalysts for economic growth. They will help our traders enhance their businesses and improve the dining experience for customers at the market,” the Mayor said.
Speaking on behalf of Business Women Eswatini (BWE), Tokky Hau, highlighted the broader impact of the Biznis in a Box initiative on women entrepreneurs. “This campaign is transformative, especially for women-led businesses. By providing these mobile kitchens, Coca-Cola is empowering traders to achieve sustainability and growth. It’s a step in the right direction for economic inclusion,” she said.
Hau further pledged BWE’s support to the beneficiaries, stating that they are ready to groom these traders as they grow and advance their businesses to greater heights.
At the first edition of the donation, the Country Manager of ECCB, Sanele Khumalo, said that the initiative was a reflection of ECCB’s commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen and contributing positively to the communities in which it operates.
She said that the initiative was designed to support MSMEs that are involved in the food and beverage sector, highlighting that the initiative will grow into more sectors with time.
She further stated that the initiative was not only about giving out mobile kitchens but also about providing ongoing support and mentorship to the winners. The Country Manager revealed that ECCB in collaboration with BE and other partners would provide training, coaching, and monitoring to the winners to ensure that they succeed in their businesses.