By Ayanda Dlamini
Tokky Hou, a prominent business leader in Eswatini’s manufacturing sector and the Managing Director of Far East Textiles, has been named Africa’s Manufacturer of the Year (Regional) at the Pan African Women Empowerment Summit (PAWES) Awards held in Cape Town, South Africa.
The award recognises exceptional women shaping the continent’s industrial landscape through innovation, leadership, and social impact.
Far East Textiles, one of Eswatini’s main textile factories, employs nearly 600 workers, about 98 percent of whom are women. Under Hou’s leadership, the company has become a significant economic contributor and a model for inclusive and sustainable manufacturing.
Her management approach focuses not only on productivity but also on dignity, stability, and long-term opportunities for women in the workforce. Beyond her role in the factory, Hou has become widely praised for her empowerment initiative, Vukani BoMake.
The programme has supported over 250 women, youth, and persons with disabilities by providing skills training, mentorship, and pathways to entrepreneurship. Through Vukani BoMake, beneficiaries receive training in textile skills, financial literacy, and small-business development, empowering many to start their own income-generating projects.
PAWES highlighted Hou’s commitment to climate-conscious innovation as another factor contributing to her win.
Far East Textiles has increasingly embraced environmentally friendly practices, including waste reduction strategies and investments in energy-efficient machinery. These efforts position the company as a forward-thinking manufacturer aligned with Africa’s broader sustainability goals.
At the award ceremony, organizers commended Hou for embodying the spirit of African resilience and progress.
They observed that her leadership has opened opportunities not just inside her factory, but across communities, where women who once had limited options are now actively contributing to the economy.
Hou’s recognition as Manufacturer of the Year signifies a major milestone for Eswatini’s manufacturing industry and women’s leadership across the continent. Her work continues to demonstrate that empowering women and investing in sustainable industry are not only compatible but mutually reinforcing pillars of Africa’s development.