By Phiwa Sikhondze
A new wave of young entrepreneurs is set to reshape Eswatini’s business landscape following the successful conclusion of the annual Youth Business Seminar held from December 16 to 17, 2024, at the Siteki Town Council Hall.
Organized byBegin Your Dreams in partnership withSNG Grant Thornton (funding E60,000, which includes seed capital and mentorship for winners). The seminar was conducted by Begin Your Dreams founder Bertha Sithole, and aimed at nurturing young entrepreneurs and fostering a culture of innovation and business excellence among Eswatini’s youth.
The two-day intensive training was attended by 17 young entrepreneurs, selected from the 2023 cohort of participants aged 18 to 35 (5 new participants). Throughout the program, they engaged in a series of interactive sessions that focused on key areas, including Business Model Canvas, financial management, and elevator pitching.
The workshop started with a session on the Business Model Canvas, where participants learned how to structure and refine their business ideas. This was followed by a deep dive into financial management, where attendees gained critical insights into bookkeeping, cash flow management, and budget planning—common challenges emerging businesses face.
One of the highlights of the workshop was the pitch competition held on the final day. The competition gave participants a real-world opportunity to present their business ideas to a panel of esteemed judges:
- Lwazi Dlamini – PINACO & CO Director
- Mcebo Mavundla – Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund (YERF) Rep
- Mphiwa Gamedze – YALI/MWF Alumni
- Ntandoyenkosi Matsenjwa – SNG Grant Thornton Rep
After a competitive round of pitching, three winners were selected and awarded seed capital to support the growth of their businesses. The winners and their prizes were as follows:
- Celumusa Motsa – Goat Skin Carpeting Business,E15,000 seed capital, + 6 months business mentorship.
- Nonjabuliso Dlamini – Sigayo, E10,000 seed capital + 6 months business mentorship
- Sibusiso Dlamini & Lwethu Simelane – gaming business – E5,000 seed capital + 6 months business mentorship
- Sandile Nkomi – Pre Cast business – 6 months business mentorship
- Senenile Maseko – Tailor business – 6 months business mentorship
Beyond the cash prizes, participants benefited from valuable networking opportunities with key financial organizations in Eswatini.
“This workshop was an eye-opener for us,” one participant said. “The hands-on approach, coupled with expert feedback during the pitch competition, has given me the confidence to take my business to the next level.”
The organizers also revealed plans to track the progress of some the participants over the next 12 months, culminating in an impact story to showcase the development and growth of the 2023 cohort.