By Ayanda Dlamini
The countdown is officially on. In a few days, the Leadership Growth Forum (LGF) will host one of Eswatini’s most anticipated leadership events: the 2025 Year-End Dinner and inaugural Honorary Leadership Awards scheduled for Friday, November 28, at the Mountain View Hotel in Mbabane.
As the date nears, excitement continues to grow for this black-tie gala that promises an evening of reflection, recognition, and renewed purpose.
With the event approaching, LGF prepares to honor the remarkable Emaswati whose work has shaped the country’s development across governance, education, business, and community service. These inaugural awards mark the beginning of a long-term effort to preserve and celebrate the stories of leaders whose contributions helped build modern Eswatini.
“This event is not only about honouring the shoulders we stand on,” said LGF Co-Founder Max Mkhonza.
“It’s about learning from their stories. Their legacies provide insights that can influence how we lead today and how we prepare the next generation of Eswatini’s leaders.”
…Unveiling the 2025 Legacy Leadership Research
A major highlight of the evening will be the launch of LGF’s 2025 Legacy Leadership Research, a detailed study documenting the philosophies, decisions, and transformative journeys of the honorees.
The research acts as a leadership guide, providing enduring lessons for those facing contemporary organizational and societal challenges.
According to Mkhonza, this work is essential. “These insights do not just preserve history; they guide our future. They offer practical wisdom for leaders facing the complexities of today.”
LGF plans to integrate these findings into leadership development programmes, mentorship initiatives, and national conversations to strengthen Eswatini’s leadership culture.
As preparations intensify, guests can look forward to an evening designed to inspire, featuring fine dining, thought-provoking storytelling, curated entertainment, and intergenerational networking; an experience crafted to pass down wisdom, motivate young professionals, and celebrate leadership as a lifelong commitment to service.
The event stands as a national statement on leadership excellence, reinforcing LGF’s growing influence as a platform that nurtures ethical, forward-thinking leadership in Eswatini.
By highlighting the stories of outstanding role models, LGF keeps fostering a community where leaders learn from each other and help drive national change.
Introducing the 2025 Class of Honourees
This year’s awardees represent excellence across sectors, each leaving an indelible mark on the country’s growth:
1. Nation Builder Award
Honouring Sishayi Nxumalo, a visionary whose leadership catalysed Eswatini’s industrialisation through the development of the Matsapha Industrial Site.
2. Torch of Knowledge Award
Recognising Professor Lydia Makhubu, a trailblazer in higher education, scientific research, and the advancement of women in academia.
3. Vanguard Award
Celebrating Stanley Matsebula, whose strategic leadership revitalised the Swaziland Savings and Development Bank, steering it from near collapse to national success.
4. Heart of Community Award
Acknowledging Michael “Waqunga” Dlamini, the dedicated educator who built Mhlatane High School into a centre of excellence and influenced generations of leaders.
EVENT PARTNERS AND PAYMENT DETAILS
LGF extends profound appreciation to its sponsors: Oracle Group Eswatini, Destiny Group, Mountain View, Platinum Concepts, and Smart Innovations.
Payment Options:
MoMo WhatsApp:
• Save 78084000 as MoMo Marketplace
• Send “hi”
• Select MoMo Ticketing
Bank Deposit:
• Bank: FNB Eswatini
• Acc: 63128425055
• Ref: PP + Initials & Surname (e.g., PP J. Mabuza)