By Lindani Maseko
Yati has unveiled the winners of the Top Brands Eswatini Awards, recognising 36 leading brands through a rigorous, data-driven methodology.
The ceremony, held at the Sibane Sami Hotel, celebrated brands that resonated deeply with Eswatini consumers, reflecting genuine sentiment and loyalty.
Central to the credibility of these awards was the Survey Methodology conducted by Yati Business Consulting (YBC), a leading research and intelligence provider within the Yati collective, which used random sampling across urban and rural demographics for accurate representation.
Field data collection was managed by EngageCrew, ensuring real consumer input with over 1000 respondents surveyed to measure brand trust, awareness, and market perception.
“This methodology ensures that the accolades presented genuinely reflected the sentiments of the people of Eswatini,” said Mfundo Mavimbela, Yati Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Key winners included:
- SwaziMed (top medical schemes)
- MTN Eswatini (leading telecommunications),
- MulaSport (betting brand of 2024),
- Central Bank of Eswatini (industry regulators),
- FNB Eswatini (top banking industry),
- Nike (top clothing labels)
- TotalEnergies (top petrol station)
- Eswatini Air (top airline)
- Bhunu Mall (top shopping complex)
- DHL (courier services),
- Eswatini Electricity Company (top parastatal)
- UNESWA (top tertiary institution)
A diverse array of other esteemed brands, including Samsung, Amahle Travel and Tours, Nivea, Inyatsi, Eswatini Housing Board, Stallion VIP, Manzini Clinic, World Vision, Toyota, MTN Bushfire, Dups, pick n Pay, Mr Price, KFC, Savannah, Fourth Street wine, Jonny Walker Black Label, Coca Cola, Aquille, Mbabane Swallows, and Hilton Garden Inn were also recognised.
“Not getting an award in the general category doesn’t mean your brand is not performing,” Mavimbela clarified.
The event, moderated by Eswatini TV’s Sales and Marketing Specialist, John Pires, drew a distinguished audience of business executives, government officials, and industry leaders, facilitating crucial networking opportunities.
Mavimbela also unveiled plans for the Eswatini Media Audience Measurement Survey (Media-AMS), a continuation of data collection on media usage patterns.
“As Yati, we are excited to share that while we have collected comprehensive brand data, we also collected media usage patterns data, to be packaged as Eswatini Media Audience Measurement Survey (Media-AMS). This is the 3rd version of the survey, the first was in 2005 under a defunct company I cofounded called Knotell,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Mavimbela further announced the Top Brands Awards Eswatini 2025, scheduled for November 27, 2025. This event will be integrated into a full-day Marketing and Communications Summit, aiming to strengthen industry collaboration.
Melusi Masuku, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, highlighted he critical role of brand protection.
“A brand could take years to build, but only a moment to destroy. Therefore, protecting your brand isn’t just legal—it is strategic,” Masuku said.
He urged businesses to register their brands as trademarks through the Intellectual Property Office, emphasising the added credibility and market value of registered brands.
“So I encourage you, brand owners, to register your brands,” he said.
Masuku further reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting businesses through policies that promote fair competition and innovation.
“I urge all businesses to maintain excellence, embrace innovation, and nurture strong customer relationships. Continue investing in trust, service quality, and corporate responsibility,” he concluded, officially opening the awards ceremony.
Bonganj Dlamini, Sales and Marketing Manager of MTN Bushfire, spoke on behalf of the awarded Top Brands, expressing gratitude and commitment to continued excellence.