The inaugural Made in Eswatini Consumer Fair, curated by A Peculiar People, was an overwhelming success, drawing 138 local brands, with members of the public calling for the event to be held monthly.
The aforementioned Fair, which was held along the busy Dr. Sishayi Road, Mbabane, featured businesses from across a wide spectrum of industries — from small enterprises and homegrown startups to established manufacturers and government agencies — spotlighting the diversity, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of the kingdom.
Speaking during the event, Chairman of A Peculiar People, Melusi Zox Dlamini, said that the vision for the Fair was to make it easier for consumers to access local products in one place.
“At A Peculiar People, we have the desire to connect the public with local businesses, making them accessible,” he said. “This fair allows local businesses to market themselves to the public, who are the end consumers. The idea for the fair was conceived last year, and it’s amazing to see that vision come to life.”
Dlamini expressed gratitude for the support and hinted that they are already thinking about how to take this further. He said that even though the participation by local companies was overwhelming, more wanted to come, but they did not have enough spaces to accommodate all of them.
“We would like to thank the participants, our partners, and the public for coming out to support local business, igniting the economy and creating more jobs for a better kingdom,” he said.
Dlamini added that he hopes to make the event an annual thing occurring every 25th of April.
However, seeing the strong support and turnout from both businesses and members of the public, Mbabane East Member of Parliament, Welcome Dlamini, said that the idea was so good that he wished to see it implemented in other towns around the kingdom, giving more local businesses a chance to connect with more local consumers.
“We can all see the excitement and the magnitude of the event. It is having a positive impact on local businesses and local consumers. I agree with the public who are calling for the event to grow and be held in various major towns and regions around the kingdom, giving local consumers a chance to connect with local products. This event needs to be held regularly as it is strengthening the local economy,” he said.
Dlamini’s sentiments were shared by one of the highlights of the event, Municipal Council of Mbabane CEO, Gciniwe Fakudze, who, while mingling with the participants, said that she was impressed with the creativity that local business people have, and this event showed how supporting local brands is not a downgrade.
“I am amazed at the level of creativity that the smaller businesses are showing here today. They have taken the opportunity to market themselves to the consumers seriously. The quality on show and the names of the brands and their products are so diverse. I believe that everybody who has come to support local brands will walk away thinking that buying local products is not a downgrade. We are happy as Mbabane to be the first city to host this event, which is a citizen-led catalyst for sustainable economic development,” she said.
Despite space limitations, the fair was packed throughout the day.