MANZINI – SEDCO Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Khethiwe Mhlanga says the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (EYA) 2023 has showcased that in the local market there is high growth in entrepreneurs.
Mhlanga urged all emaSwati to support the local entrepreneurs in both goods and services sector. “Let us become conscious consumers and buy locally produced goods. When shopping, make it a habit to always reach for the locally produced goods as that is how we’ll grow our businesses and the economy at large,” said Mhlanga.
development
Mhlanga said the 17th edition of the EYA came with a lot of growth in the space of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) development and Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO) continued to be committed to entrepreneurship development. “We appreciate His Majesty’s Government for the support that they have given us in our endeavour to promote entrepreneurship throughout the Kingdom of Eswatini,” said the CEO. Mhlanga acknowledged all partners who worked closely with SEDCO as they developed the capabilities of MSMEs. Mhlanga mentioned that entrepreneurs were hope that as a nation we were improving the productive capacities. She highlighted that according to United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), productive capacities have three main dimensions which are productive resources, entrepreneurial capabilities and production linkages.
growth
Mhlanga said these defined the country’s capacity to produce goods and services which contributed to economic growth. “We are seeing this with the entrepreneurs who have joined the EYA 2023 competition as they are both in the goods and services sectors,” the CEO said. Mhlanga noted that the entrepreneurs had shown growth and resilience as they had transformed their businesses over the years while others were innovative. She said, therefore, they are enhancing their competitiveness through skills development and technological transformation. She stated that a competition such as the EYA assisted entrepreneurs to network with each other as well as the financial sector.
knowledge
Mhlanga said past and future winners were encouraged to continue to impart knowledge to the present and future entrepreneurs. “Be a mentor/business coach. SEDCO will also tap into your success stories to shine a spotlight as well as encourage others to venture into entrepreneurship,” said the CEO. The CEO further said this competition (EYA), therefore, served as a means to share information about the entrepreneurial mindset within the Kingdom of Eswatini. She said each child in every region would be aware that entrepreneurship was possible and instrumental in changing our socio-economic status. She said this competition was exemplary of the Eswatini they cherished which promotes inclusiveness. She said it touched on green entrepreneurship, technological entrepreneurship and has all target groups such as youth entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs living with disabilities.