BY INSIDE BIZ
The Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) has partnered with A Peculiar People Agency to host the inaugural Eswatini Consumer Choice Business Seminar and Awards for the upcoming Eswatini International Trade Fair 2024.
The event is set to take place at Mavuso Trade Centre on September 6, 2024, and is aimed at celebrating local business excellence and influencing consumers to buy local products.
A Peculiar People will produce and manage the consumer choice segment of the EITF.
A Peculiar People is an Eswatini-based agency that curates events and public relations campaigns aimed at creatively bridging the gap between consumers and local products.
It advocates for the local procurement of quality, authentic Eswatini products, and services and represents talent, brands, and entrepreneurs who refuse to compromise their distinctiveness.
When reached for comment, Executive Manager External Trade Promotions at EIPA, Sibusiso Mnisi confirmed the partnership and further confirmed that the event would be held on September 6, 2024, as one of the Business Seminars sponsored by FNB Eswatini.
“The ultimate objective of the Eswatini Consumer Choice Awards and Buy Local Seminar is to promote the buying of local products, which will advance job creation opportunities in real-time and enable our local SMEs to thrive. We are also very happy that the concept is consumer-centric and we encourage stakeholders to partner with A Peculiar People,” he concluded.
A Peculiar People’s Executive Chairman, Melusi Dlamini disclosed that the nomination process will be led by consumers, who will put forward the brands that they believe deserve recognition.
“Being recognized by consumers will validate the efforts of the entrepreneurs behind local products, endorse the quality of the nominated products, and encourage customer service excellence within the local sector,” he said.
In terms of the nomination criterion, Dlamini noted that it will be restricted to local products, as outlined below.
The nomination criterion will be restricted to local products that are:
• Made-In-Eswatini
• Traceable and With a Distinct Brand Identity
• Legally Registered & Trading
• Small to Medium Enterprise
• Private Sector Owned
• Eco Friendly
For this inaugural event, products eligible for nomination will be products that fall within the following thresholds:
• Food (Dairy, Sauces, Meat Products, Grain Products, Processed Fruit &
Vegetables)
• Décor
• Lifestyle
• Fashion & Apparel
• Beauty & Cosmetics
• Beverage (Coffee, Alcohol, Soft drinks, Fruit Juice, Tea, Water)
• Hospitality (Accommodation, Entertainment, Restaurant)
• Crafts
• Art (Music, Paintings, Sculptures, Photographs, New Media)
Local products that fall under the same category will not necessarily compete with each other. This means that we can have more than one product under the same category receiving the Symbol of Excellence 2024 Badge.
Nomination of local products by consumers is open from July 15 until August 15, 2024, and consumers are encouraged to send their preferred local brands to the peculiar people’s person at the following contact details:
Email: hello@apeculiarpeople.africa
Whatsapp: +268 7991 1155
Instagram: A peculiarpeoplesperson
Facebook: A peculiarpeoplesperson
X: A peculiarpeople
Dlamini further noted that the awards will lead to increased opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
“Conferment at the Eswatini Consumer Choice Awards will carry a Symbol of Excellence 2024 badge, an instantly recognizable symbol that will set the products apart in the local marketplace and instill unmatched confidence in consumers. This badge will open the door to a world of cutting-edge promotional opportunities as it will be visible in all marketing tools – as recognition that the product is the best choice a consumer can make in the coming year,” he noted.
Dkamini continued “The recognition that will come from winning at the Eswatini Consumer Choice will be the determining factor when buyers and corporations want to minimize purchasing risks, especially when they are not entirely familiar with the products they are seeking.”