By Own Correspondent
When Ambrose Mefika Nkambule left the bank where he had worked for 17 years, he carried with him a single question; where can my money truly be safe? He had seen too many people lose their life savings to investment schemes that dazzled with promises but disappeared with their dreams. Then he walked into Lidlelantfongeni, the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF), and as he puts it “found peace of mind and a home for my money.”
“The staff did not just tell me to invest, they counselled me, showed me how my savings would be protected, and introduced me to the supplementary option,” Nkambule recalls.
The supplementary contributions option allows members (and optionally their employers) to make voluntary top-up payments in addition to the required statutory contributions, giving the member flexibility over how much and when they contribute, thereby increasing the total retirement benefit available and providing an extra financial cushion at retirement.
“I started saving again, this time with purpose. I even registered my employees in the taxi business I had started, and each of them now enjoys the same security I do. Later, I added my wife, and we both save and reinvest at every two-and-a-half-year interval. The growth has been remarkable. No one gives interest like Lidlelantfongeni.”
That sense of safety with reward has become ENPF’s hallmark. With a steadfast commitment to transparency, sound governance, and member-first stewardship, the Fund has positioned itself not merely as a statutory provident fund but as Eswatini’s most trusted investment fortress.
In a financial landscape where financial institutions and other investment vehicles often offer modest single-digit returns, and where risk can easily hide behind the glitter of high-yield promises, Lidlelantfongeni stands out. Lidlelantfongeni once again proved its strength as a beacon of financial sustainability and ethical stewardship, announcing an impressive 10 per cent members’ interest for the financial year ended June 30, 2025. This latest declaration underscores the institution’s commitment to delivering superior returns to its members. Previously an 11 per cent members’ interest was declared by the organisation.
The double-digit member interest declarations have set a new benchmark for institutional savings performance, reaffirming that disciplined management and public trust can coexist with exceptional returns.
Redefining Saving
Members at the second edition of the Lidlelantfongeni Stakeholder Recognition Awards hosted by CEO Futhi Tembe, echoed Nkambule’s experience, celebrating ENPF not just as a fund but as a financial movement redefining how emaSwati think about saving.
This groundbreaking weekly series running through December 2025, celebrates a rare kind of commitment; financial discipline that transcends mere duty. It recognises members, employers and tenants who demonstrate courage, ethical stewardship, and quiet leadership; choosing to save and plan effectively even when faced with temptation or the path of least resistance.
Those who were honoured in the second edition were Sibusiso Lawrence Dludlu, Skhumbuzo Musa Zondo, Doctor Denty Ndzinisa, Ambrose Mefika Nkambule and Phinley Vusani Vilakati. The awards categories were the following:
• Longest Continuous Supplementary Contributions: This is recognition for three members who have consistently contributed supplementary amounts for the longest period. This unwavering discipline is a testament to resilience and trust in ENPF’s vision.
• Highest Supplementary Contributions: This recognises a member who has made the highest supplementary contributions according to the most recent employer submissions. Such commitment demonstrates confidence in ENPF and a strong belief in planning for tomorrow. The member is a champion of financial security.
• Highest supplementary balance to date: Celebrates a member who has the highest supplementary balance to date. The member’s patience and long-term perspective exemplify the essence of prudent planning.
“This ceremony is not just about awards; it’s about honouring members who have gone above and beyond to secure their retirement and inspire others. Your dedication and consistency towards the culture of saving strengthens ENPF’s mission and sets a benchmark for excellence in social security,” said CEO Tembe, during the successful event which was held at the Lidlelantfongeni Headquarters, in Manzini.
“To all awardees, congratulations! Your actions inspire others to take charge of their financial future. ENPF remains committed to providing innovative solutions and secure retirement benefits for every member. Together, we build a stronger, more prosperous Eswatini.”
MEMBER VOICES: WHY WE TRUST LIDLELANTFONGENI
Sibusiso Dludlu
He has been supplementing from 2013 to 2025 [12 years] and is the 3rd longest supplementary contributor
“In 2017 I made a grave mistake. I invested a substantial amount of my hard-earned savings into a company that appeared perfectly legitimate, endorsed, even, by several respected financial structures in Eswatini. Then it vanished. I lost everything. That loss shook me. After that, I was determined that my next move had to be safe. I found Eswatini National Provident Fund, Lidlelantfongeni, and, in 2013, I began supplementing my statutory contributions. Now, twelve years on, I see how right that decision was. It has been the third-longest run of supplementary contributions among members. I say this with pride; Lidlelantfongeni is a safe place to save and to supplement your savings. It is insulated from turbulence because it is managed by people with integrity, backed by real assets, and guided by a proven track record. The interest declared to members has sometimes reached remarkable levels, at one time nearly 11%, which you simply won’t find at some of the banks or many other investment vehicles.The service is professional, seamless and accessible; you feel valued as a member, not just an account number. I thank the CEO and her team for the inaugural CEO Awards, recognising members like me gives hope and reminds us we belong. Looking ahead, I wholeheartedly support the proposed conversion of the Fund into a national two-tier pension scheme. It is a very good concept that secures our future and that of the generations to come. Though I’m now beyond the age threshold of 45 to be included, it is still my earnest wish that younger members embrace it with open arms. Let us continue to save, let us encourage others to save, and let us build together a culture of prudent financial stewardship.”
‘Safety is Paramount’
Sikhumbuzo Zondi – Longest Continuous Supplementary Contributions Category
Zondi has been supplementing from 2009 to 2025 which is 16 years and is the second longest supplementary contributor.
“I was genuinely happy and surprised when I got the call to visit the Lidlelantfongeni offices today. I am grateful for this award which came as a surprise. I was just focused on saving, and I never expected Lidlelantfongeni had such a wonderful surprise for us. For me, the reason for my commitment is simple. Safety is paramount. I have personally seen friends lose their life savings to scams and unreliable investment schemes that went under, causing immense spiritual and emotional distress.
I realised my last cent had to be somewhere completely secure. Having worked at ENPF before, I know first-hand that this is the safest place to build a financial future. That confidence encouraged me to invest a lump sum and then consistently supplement my contributions over the longest period. Why here? Because the interest rate, exemplified by the recent record declarations, is not just high; it’s consistently superior to what banks or other financial institutions offer. I must also congratulate our CEO, Futhi Tembe. She is truly a go-getter and an inspiration to women and young girls, showing them that anything is possible in leadership. Under her leadership, the Fund has embraced so much innovation and change, transforming into a modern company that provides seamless, accessible service. This award is more than just recognition; it is proof that Lidlelantfongeni is thinking about us and actively taking care of our future.”
We’ve come a long way with Lidlelantfongeni
Doctor Denty Ndzinisa
Ndzinisa has been supplementing from 1993 up until 2021 [28 years] he is the longest supplementary contributor of all time
“When I look back at my working life, here at Lidlelantfongeni before retirement, I can say the organisation shaped the person I became, both professionally and financially. I worked here for many years, and those years taught me the importance of discipline, saving and thinking long-term. I started my supplementary contributions in 1993, and I continued for 28 years in total. I did not realise it then, but that decision would become one of the best I ever made. Working at Lidlelantfongeni was special. We were like a family. I still remember the smell of those chicken-filled sandwiches we used to enjoy during workshops and staff events; small moments that made the place feel like home.
Back then, many people misunderstood what we did. Some would joke or even scold us in the streets, saying, ‘Lidlelantfongeni just takes our money.’ But time has proved that what we were doing was for their own good. Today, people see that saving here means securing a future that is safe and dignified. I have watched the organisation grow from a simple office into a modern, world-class institution.
The systems, the technology, the service, everything has improved under the leadership of our CEO, Ms Futhi Tembe, and her dedicated team. I am proud to see how far they have taken this institution. If I could turn back time and start life afresh, with all the lessons and experiences I have gathered, I would save even more and start much earlier. Life without a salary teaches you quickly how valuable every lilangeni you saved becomes.
Lidlelantfongeni has not only kept our money safe but has given us interest rates higher than most investment vehicles in the country, sometimes even reaching double digits. That is something worth celebrating. I want to thank the team for continuously improving the image of the organisation and for remembering us, the retirees, through these awards. I urge the staff to keep spreading the message, talk about saving wherever you go: in churches, community meetings, on radio and TV. Let everyone know about the supplementary option and the peace it brings. To the CEO and her team, thank you for your leadership and vision. To my fellow members, keep saving, keep supplementing, and keep believing because Lidlelantfongeni has proved itself to be a secure, modern and truly caring institution.”
Ambrose Mefika Nkambule
He has been supplementing from 2009 to date [16 years] and this makes him the highest supplementary contribution to date
“Seventeen years ago, when I resigned from the financial institution where I had worked for most of my adult life, I was 43 years old; relatively young to retire but old enough to worry about what would happen to my savings. The day I walked out of that job, my former pension company called almost immediately, urging me to withdraw my money. But something in me hesitated. I wanted my next move to be safe and meaningful. I went to Lidlelantfongeni, simply to ask how much I had contributed and what I would receive at 50. Instead, I found something far greater; people who cared enough to guide me. The staff did not just process my paperwork; they counselled me. They talked to me about financial responsibility, investing wisely, and planning for independence. They introduced me to the supplementary option, which allows you to make voluntary top-ups to your regular savings. That conversation opened my eyes. I decided to invest my funds with Lidlelantfongeni, and I have never looked back. Their customer care is exceptional, the service seamless, and the peace of mind priceless. They even helped me register my employees from the small taxi business I had started, so they too could begin saving for their futures. It made a big difference; while other transport companies struggled with high staff turnover, mine stayed. My team felt valued, and I knew I was helping them secure their tomorrow. Over time, I also opened accounts for my family members, including my wife. Every two and a half years, when our supplementary investments mature, we see real growth. Each payout brings a smile to her face because it’s tangible proof that our money is working for us. I’ve even managed to buy property through these savings, ensuring that when I grow old, I won’t need to burden my children. That’s what true financial independence means to me. What stands out most is how safe our money feels at Lidlelantfongeni. It’s well managed, backed by assets, and handled with integrity. A dedicated relationship manager is always there when I or my staff need help, whether it’s updating records or sorting out minor issues. I know my savings are not just sitting idle; they’re growing in trusted hands. And the declared returns? No one gives interest like Lidlelantfongeni. I’m deeply grateful to the CEO, Ms Futhi Tembe, and her team for transforming this Fund into a modern, member-driven institution. The supplementary product should be marketed even more widely; every liSwati deserves to know about it. My journey with Lidlelantfongeni gave me confidence, stability, and dignity. When I say I found peace of mind and a home for my money, I mean it from the heart.”
“No amount is too small, keep saving and supplementing.”
Phinley Vilakati
Vilakati has been supplementing from 2022 to date, and holds the highest supplementary balance to date.
“When I was a young man working in the hospitality industry, at a company that has since closed its doors, I made a decision that changed my life. I started supplementing my statutory contributions at Lidlelantfongeni. Back then, I didn’t have much, but I understood one simple truth: if I wanted a secure future, I had to build it myself. I used to tell my colleagues, ‘Don’t just rely on the statutory contribution. Top it up, even if it’s a small amount. One day, you’ll thank yourself.’ Some listened, some laughed, but I kept preaching that message because I had seen what happens when people reach old age with nothing to fall back on. My relationship with Lidlelantfongeni grew over the years. I interacted with their staff often, even serving as a board member at one point. That gave me even more confidence; seeing first-hand how professional, transparent, and dedicated they are. It made me believe even more in the culture of saving, and I’ve tried to pass that knowledge to others. I always tell people: save so that you don’t become a burden to your children when you grow old. Too many of us grew up with the idea that our children are our pension — that when we can no longer work, they will take care of us. But that’s not fair to them. Our children should be free to raise their own families, to help us not because they must, but because they choose to. The best gift we can give them is our independence. That’s why I thank Lidlelantfongeni for introducing the supplementary savings option. It gives ordinary workers the chance to build something solid — a nest for the future. I’ve encouraged my staff and everyone around me to take advantage of it. In the corporate world, we often feel comfortable today and forget that one day we won’t be here. But the truth is, tomorrow comes faster than we think. I haven’t always been lucky. Along my saving journey, I also lost money to an investment vehicle that collapsed. It was painful, but it taught me a valuable lesson; only trust institutions that have stood the test of time. That’s what Lidlelantfongeni represents to me: stability, safety, and integrity. So I keep preaching the gospel of saving wherever I go; in my workplace, my community, even at church. No amount is too small. What matters is starting early and staying consistent. Because when you save, you don’t just build wealth; you build peace of mind.”