CONCO Limited Eswatini has partnered with Business Women Eswatini (BWE) by donating sewing machinery to the newly launched, state-of-the-art textile facility under the Vukani BoMake programme in Lobamba Lomdzala.
The factory, unveiled during a celebratory event attended by senior business leaders, government officials, and community members, marks the 14th facility established under the initiative since 2020. It is the first purpose-built structure, a milestone that sets it apart from its 13 predecessors, which were housed in converted containers.
In his remarks, CONCO General Manager Muzi Mahlobo stressed the company’s focus on building shared value beyond profit margins. “This initiative is not just about job creation, it’s about fostering sustainable development, empowering vulnerable groups, and promoting green manufacturing,” Mahlobo said.
He explained that CONCO’s support for the project aligns with the broader Coca-Cola ecosystem’s commitment to community upliftment, especially in areas like youth development, women’s empowerment, and environmental responsibility.
“At CONCO, we recognize that true progress occurs when businesses and communities rise together. The Vukani BoMake Cottage Factory is a living example of this principle,” he stated.
The new cottage factory will provide training and employment for over 20 rural women, youth, and persons with disabilities in sewing, crocheting, and textile production with recycled fabric waste sourced from local factories. The initiative aims to reduce textile landfill waste while generating income and skills development at the grassroots level.
This waste-to-wealth model is central to BWE’s vision of creating a circular economy, where textile off-cuts are repurposed into marketable products, reducing landfill waste and stimulating income in rural areas.
According to BWE Chairperson Tokky Hou, the idea for the program was born early in the COVID-19 pandemic when supply chains collapsed, and newborn babies in hospitals lacked clothing. She and her team responded by producing baby garments from leftover textile materials.
“That moment showed us the potential of waste, and more importantly, the potential of women in rural communities,” she said.
“This factory is proof that when given a chance, women can turn nothing into something.”
Business Eswatini President Mvuselelo Fakudze commended CONCO for its vision and commitment to inclusive growth, noting that public-private partnerships like this are crucial for addressing the country’s socioeconomic challenges.
“This facility is more than just bricks and machines; it is a symbol of what becomes possible when businesses invest with purpose,” he said.
The factory will serve as a local production hub, capable of producing school uniforms, household goods, and fashion items, all made from reused textile material. BWE also announced plans to introduce a green initiative tied to fabric recycling: for every specified amount of waste fabric reused, the organization will plant trees in the surrounding area.
Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Trade Manqoba Khumalo praised the initiative as an example of people-centered policy and effective collaboration.
“This project exemplifies the power of working together (government, business, and civil society) to deliver for the people,” he said. “The Vukani BoMake programme is a giant growing in leaps and bounds, and it must be replicated across the country.”
The Minister announced plans to develop a national policy framework within 24 months that will incorporate this model into government programs.
“If we build just 20 of these structures per year, in three years, all 59 constituencies could have one. It’s not expensive, and it works,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of market creation through local procurement.
The textile factory is expected to serve as a production hub for both local and export markets, aiding rural development, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience.
Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo, who played a key role in connecting the constituency to the BWE programme, expressed gratitude for realizing a long-awaited dream. “This is a transformative investment for our community, one that provides dignity, skills, and long-term opportunity,” he said.
Mahlobo added that CONCO is already exploring ways to replicate the model in other communities across the country. “This is just the beginning. Our collaboration with Business Women Eswatini has shown that impact is maximized when there is unity of vision,” he concluded.