SPECIAL REPORT
By Wenkhosi Dlamini
The Lidlelantfongeni Stakeholder Recognition Awards, organised by the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF), has celebrated eight employers who have demonstrated exemplary compliance with statutory contribution obligations; setting a high standard of accountability, fairness and social responsibility in the country’s private sector.
At the fourth edition of the Awards ceremony, held on Friday, 28 November in Manzini, ENPF’s Chief Executive Officer, Futhi Tembe, publicly honoured the firms whose consistent contributions protect the financial security of their employees and strengthen the nation’s social security architecture.
“Compliance is not just a requirement; it is a commitment to fairness, sustainability, and the well-being of our workforce,” Tembe told assembled guests, urging businesses to regard statutory contributions not as a burden, but as a core duty to their staff and the broader community.
By law, under the Swaziland National Provident Fund Order, 1974, employers are obliged to register with ENPF and make regular statutory contributions for every eligible employee.
These contributions are more than administrative obligations; they form the bedrock of a social security system that protects workers at retirement, in the event of invalidity, retrenchment, or other life events that might compromise their ability to earn.
The Awards are more than bureaucratic recognition. They send a powerful message to the corporate community that adherence to statutory obligations is a badge of honour, not a compliance chore. The event seeks to encourage a culture where employers lead by example, prioritise workers’ welfare, and view compliance as integral to business ethics and national development.
CEO Tembe said the Awards reaffirm the national values of accountability, fairness, social protection, and long-term thinking.
“Your dedication to compliance sets a benchmark for others to follow,” she told the awardees. “You have shown that success and responsibility go hand in hand.”
Significantly, this year’s Awards also spotlighted three employers who voluntarily paid 100 % of statutory contributions on behalf of their employees, foregoing the employee deduction entirely. Tembe described this practice as a shining example of corporate social responsibility.
CEO Tembe urged all employers, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to draw inspiration from the winners, adopt ENPF’s digital submission tools, improve internal record keeping, and prioritise timely and full contributions. “Let these awards inspire us to uphold the highest standards in every aspect of our operations,” she said.
Financial security and dignity for workers
Compliance ensures that every eligible employee builds a retirement nest egg over time, able to support themselves in old age, upon retrenchment, or in case of invalidity. Under ENPF’s benefit scheme, members become eligible for age benefit at 50 years, or earlier (from age 45) if they have retired from regular employment.
Additionally, in unfortunate circumstances such as disability or incapacity to work, ENPF provides invalidity benefits, offering protection against financial hardship.
Thus, employer compliance is not just about law abiding behaviour; it is a moral duty to secure workers’ futures and provide them with dignity in retirement or during hardship.
For the employers recognised, compliance is a signal of integrity, fairness, and responsible business practice. By paying complete and timely contributions, and in some cases, covering the full share on behalf of employees, they position themselves as organisations that value their workers beyond immediate labour needs.
As CEO, Tembe pointed out, such employers should serve as ambassadors and role models.
“Let these awards inspire us to uphold the highest standards in every aspect of our operations … Together, we build a stronger, more sustainable future for our members.”
CEO Tembe challenged all employers to rise to the standard set by the Award winners. She emphasised that compliance is not optional: it is the fundamental contract between the employer, the employee, and the nation’s social security system.
Tembe urged employers, including SMMEs, to take advantage of ENPF’s digital submission tools to improve records management and ensure timely contribution remittances. She reiterated the importance of clear communication with employees about their contributions, and of transparency in wage deductions.
In addition, the Fund continues to encourage voluntary supplementary contributions, which allow employers or employees (or both) to contribute above the statutory minimum. Such top-ups, CEO Tembe said, remain a cornerstone for those who wish to build a more secure retirement cushion.
By promoting both statutory and supplementary contributions, ENPF seeks to foster a culture in which retirement savings are treated as a shared responsibility, a bedrock for social development, and a foundation for long-term financial inclusion.
Meanwhile, the 2025 Lidlelantfongeni Stakeholder Recognition Awards demonstrate that compliance with statutory contribution obligations can, and should, be celebrated. By honouring companies across sectors and sizes, ENPF underscores that integrity, fairness, and responsibility are not reserved for large corporates; they are achievable by all.
In a country where formal employment often translates to uncertainty for workers, employer compliance with the ENPF Order represents a safeguard: a guarantee that hard-working individuals can expect dignity in old age, security in hardship, and a stake in the future.
For employers, compliance is not merely a legal obligation, but a powerful statement of corporate citizenship, an investment in human capital and national well-being.
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When the ENPF introduced the CEO’s weekly Lidlelantfongeni Stakeholder Recognition Awards, the goal was to spotlight employers, members, and tenants who go beyond statutory requirements to safeguard workers’ financial futures.
The fourth edition of the awards, held on 28 November 2025 at ENPF Headquarters in Manzini, honoured companies demonstrating exceptional compliance, including those that voluntarily pay 100% of statutory contributions on behalf of their employees.
Among the standout performers were eight enterprises recognised not only for meeting the rules, but for treating compliance as a moral compass, a strategic investment, and a mark of national responsibility. Representatives from three of these organisations shared candid reflections, blending human experience, corporate insight, and a deep sense of duty to Eswatini’s workforce.
Sifiso Dlamini – Africa Link Logistics (45 employees)
“Drivers give their lives to this industry — the least we can do is secure their future.”
For Africa Link Logistics, a company employing 45 long-distance truck drivers, ENPF compliance is not an administrative footnote; it is a declaration of gratitude to the people who spend their lives on the road.
Speaking at the function, Sifiso Dlamini said the company’s decision to contribute 100% of ENPF statutory contributions, though not required by law, was driven by a deep respect for the men behind the wheel. He noted that the average driver’s prime years fade by age 40, often without savings to cushion retirement.
“Long-distance drivers give everything. Their strength, their time, their family life. When those years are gone, what remains? The owners of Africa Link decided their future should not be left to chance.”
“The company’s decision to pay 100% contribution was driven by a deep respect for the men and women who keep the business moving. Unfortunately, many in this sector reach the end of their careers with little or no retirement savings.”
Dlamini praised the CEO of Lidlelantfongeni Futhi Tembe and the ENPF team for making compliance clear and accessible, saying their support turns a tough sector into a humane one.
He added that many transport companies still need to put a lot of effort on retirement savings and insurance issues so that their staff is not neglected when the time to stop working comes and that their families are not left vulnerable.
“We will continue to set a benchmark. If our drivers dedicate their lives to growing the business, the least we can do is ensure they have something meaningful at the end.”
TemaSwati Dlamini – Alternative Energy (63 employees)
“SMEs can lead from the front, and compliance is the foundation of growth.”
Alternative Energy, an SME employing 63 staff in renewable solutions and rural electrification, views ENPF compliance as integral to nation-building.
After receiving the award, TemaSwati Dlamini said the recognition served as a powerful reminder that small companies can be just as influential as large corporations when it comes to setting national standards in corporate behaviour. She described the moment as deeply affirming, especially for an SME that employs 63 people across renewable energy and rural electrification projects.
“We may be small, but we want to set a big example,” she said. “Compliance is who we are, and it tells our employees that their future matters, and it tells the country that SMEs can lead responsibly.”
Dlamini said the award goes beyond trophies and certificates; it signals trust and maturity in a sector that is often dismissed as too young or too stretched to implement strong governance systems. She added that the recognition validates the company’s belief that ethical practices should be embedded from day one.
“A lot of SMEs think compliance is something you do when you’re bigger or when you have more resources,” she explained. “But we’ve proven that responsible practices can start small, and grow with the business.”
She praised ENPF for making compliance seamless and accessible, noting how the Fund’s systems help young companies establish solid foundations.
“ENPF brings stability, structure and confidence,” she said. “It assures employees that even in a young company, their effort becomes long-term security. That motivates them — and it motivates us to do better every single year.”
Dlamini said the award also strengthens Alternative Energy’s credibility with partners and the communities it serves, especially as renewable energy becomes central to Eswatini’s development agenda.
“Compliance is not a burden. It’s an investment,” she added. “If you want your business to grow, to be respected, and to attract good people, start with ENPF. It’s one of the smartest decisions any SME can make.”
She emphasised that Alternative Energy will continue raising the bar, not just for internal governance but for what responsible small businesses can contribute to the country.
“We’re proud to show that SMEs can lead from the front,” she said. “This award is encouragement, but it’s also a challenge, a challenge to keep doing better for our employees and for Eswatini.”
Sikelela Qwabe – Umbane (Pty) Ltd (73 employees)
“Corporate governance starts with how you treat your people.”
Umbane, a longstanding sugarcane farming operation in Malkerns employing 73 workers, entered a new chapter in April 2024 when it became a direct employer after years under RES Corporation. For Board Member Sikelela Qwabe, the shift was more than administrative — it marked the beginning of a more transparent, accountable and worker-centred era for the company.
He said the ENPF recognition affirms Umbane’s renewed commitment to good governance and responsible stewardship, especially during a period of structural change.
“For us, compliance is not a box to tick. It is good stewardship — managing shareholder value responsibly while safeguarding the workers who create that value.”
Qwabe said the transition came with challenges, but ENPF’s guidance made the process smooth and confidence-building.
“The ENPF team walked with us, step by step. Their systems make it possible for new employers like us to comply confidently.”
He added that the award is more than a corporate accolade; it is a message to the workforce.
“This award tells our employees that they matter. We’re not just running a business — we’re protecting futures.”
Qwabe described the recognition as a springboard for responsible growth, reaffirming Umbane’s commitment to fairness and good governance.
“This is only the beginning. As we grow, we will continue to comply. Our workers deserve nothing less.”
He encouraged other companies undergoing transitions to embrace compliance early.
“If you want stability, trust and long-term success, start with compliance. It is not an expense — it’s an investment in your company’s future.”