By Sizwe Dlamini
The country’s Prime Minister Russell Dlamini yesterday congratulated the Hilton Garden Inn hotel as it celebrated its 5th anniversary.
The Hilton Garden Inn began operations in May 2019 during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and practices a gender-equal hiring practice of hiring 50% women and 50% men.
Speaking during the birthday celebrations which were attended by international dignitaries as well as cabinet ministers and relevant CEOs, the Prime Minister called the Hilton Garden Inn hotel a world-class landmark in the heart of Mbabane and further thanked former Prime Minister and retired Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF), Cleopas Dlamini, for conceptualizing the idea of the hotel during his time at PSPF.
“I would like to highlight Cleopas Dlamini’s foresight and his efforts during his tenure at the PSPF, and how instrumental he was in bringing the Hilton Garden Inn to Mbabane. His vision has resulted in a facility that not only enhances the city’s skyline but also contributes significantly to its economic and social development”.
“The building itself has become iconic and is a national landmark here in Mbabane. You cannot picture Mbabane town without this building, and that shows its timeless architecture,” the Prime Minister remarked.
Despite launching operations at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hotel remained operational when many businesses decided to cease operations, much to the relief of its employees. The Prime Minister praised this resilience, emphasizing the hotel’s role in providing stability during economic hardships.
Dlamini then commended the hotel for its role in job creation, particularly during a time of economic hardships.
“The hotel employs Emaswati and also gives young people the opportunity to intern at the hotel, eventually hiring them and giving them a livelihood,” he noted.
Charity and Green Initiatives
Beyond its economic contributions, the Hilton Garden Inn has embedded itself in the social fabric of Mbabane through its charitable work and environmental initiatives. The hotel operates a soup kitchen, delivering freshly cooked meals once a week to the less fortunate in Msunduza. This initiative, along with green initiatives like tree planting projects, highlights the hotel’s commitment to social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
“The hotel has a soup kitchen where it delivers freshly cooked meals once a week to the less fortunate of Msunduza. This initiative, as well as the planting of trees, makes this not only a hotel but a caregiving organization that gives more than it takes. For that, we would like to thank the Hilton hospitality group for being in our kingdom. We hope that you will celebrate more wonderful years here with us,” Dlamini said.