The Eswatini Sugar Association (ESA) has launched a new E1.5 million endowment fund in support of the University of Eswatini (UNESWA).
The newly announced endowment will fund the procurement of two advanced scientific instruments:
- An Automatic Weather Station, which will enable real-time measurement of critical weather parameters, supporting both academic research and the agricultural sector.
- A Real-Time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Machine, a high-precision diagnostic tool used for genetic testing and identification of infectious agents—vital for research in plant pathology, medicine, and biotechnology.
To ensure sustainability, the fund includes maintenance support for the equipment over a seven-year period. The machines will be housed at UNESWA’s Luyengo Campus, positioning the institution to conduct impactful research with direct benefits for the sugar industry and beyond.
The fund was unveiled at a ceremony held at the Kwaluseni campus, marking another milestone in the long-standing partnership between the sugar industry and the country’s premier institution of higher learning.
Speaking at the event, ESA Chief Executive Officer, Banele Nyamane, emphasized the Association’s firm belief in education as the cornerstone of national development.
“Investing in tertiary education is the gateway to unlocking socio-economic freedom for generations to come,” he said. “As a private sector player, this is a worthwhile investment in the quality of future human capital we will one day work alongside.”
Nyamane, an alumnus of UNESWA, reflected on the quality education he received at the institution and underscored ESA’s intentional and sustained support of academic advancement in Eswatini.
“Our commitment goes beyond corporate social responsibility; it is a strategic and patriotic contribution toward national progress,” he noted.
The launch of the endowment fund is the latest in a series of ESA investments in UNESWA’s academic and research infrastructure. Over the past five years, ESA has:
- Funded postgraduate research at the Eswatini Institute for Research in Traditional Medicine, Medicinal and Indigenous Food Plants (EIRMIP), with four Master’s students supported to date;
- Supported the establishment of Eswatini’s first Sugar Testing Laboratory, which is housed at the Kwaluseni Campus;
- Contributed a cumulative total of E2.18 million toward these and other initiatives.
These efforts reflect ESA’s broader vision of aligning its corporate goals with national development priorities, ensuring that investments in education and research yield both social and industry-wide returns.
Delivering his remarks, UNESWA Vice Chancellor, Professor Justice Thwala, expressed profound gratitude to ESA for its unwavering support of the university’s mission.
“It is a singular honour to acknowledge ESA as one of our most reliable and impactful partners,” he said. “This endowment fund will significantly enhance our capacity to deliver world-class teaching, research, and innovation.”
Nyamane encouraged other companies and institutions in the private sector to emulate ESA’s example by investing in the UNESWA Endowment Fund. “This is a game-changing initiative, one that holds great promise for the future of our country and our industries,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Vuli Simelane, Chief Executive Officer of the UNESWA Endowment Fund, described the launch as a historic milestone, noting it was the first private sector endowment fund at the university since the fund rebranded from being UNESWA Foundation.
He thanked ESA for its collaborative spirit and highlighted the extensive stakeholder engagements that led to the launch.