By Ayanda Dlamini
Eswatini’s entrepreneurial spirit shone brightly in Johannesburg as local businesswoman and founder of Kleaners (Pty) Ltd, Koko Shabangu-Hlophe, attended the highly anticipated Canva Africa Launch, a major milestone for entrepreneurs, educators, and creatives across the continent.
Shabangu-Hlophe, whose company has gained national recognition for its professionalism, innovation, and efficiency in the cleaning services industry, represented Eswatini among hundreds of African business leaders invited to witness Canva’s bold expansion into the continent.
Kleaners, a fast-growing brand known for integrating smart technology into its operations, has long positioned itself ahead of industry trends.
According to Shabangu-Hlophe, Canva has been one of the most transformative tools in her business journey, far beyond the perception of a basic design platform.
“A common misconception is that Canva is only used for picture collages and social media content. As a woman in STEM and owner of a small business, finding a tool that addressed my technological and operational needs was paramount. Canva is a whole world of business tools packaged into one subscription, and many local businesses could benefit from it,” she explained.
She added that Canva has become the backbone of her daily operations.
“I literally run my business on Canva, from quotations, invoicing, and receipting, to designing all Kleaners cleaning product labels, marketing materials, online content, and internal documents.”
“Canva makes small businesses look big, and it only costs E110 per month for the professional subscription. And you can do all of that on your smartphone.”
Canva Africa: A New Era for Local Entrepreneurs
The launch of Canva Africa marks a strategic turn for the global design giant, bringing enhanced localisation, region-specific templates, and expanded opportunities for African businesses.
Crucially, Canva introduced 20 African languages, including SiSwati, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, Swahili, Sesotho, isiNdebele, Hausa, Shona, and others—making the platform more accessible and culturally relevant.
For Eswatini’s SMMEs, Canva Africa opens up possibilities that go beyond branding and aesthetics. It provides operational support tools that are often costly or difficult to access for small enterprises.
What Canva Africa Means for Eswatini’s Small Businesses
For small businesses in Eswatini, Canva Africa brings a range of practical advantages that strengthen daily operations and brand visibility. Entrepreneurs can now create professional, affordable business documents, including invoices, receipts, quotations, and reports, without relying on costly software.
The platform also offers access to high-quality visual and marketing content, reducing the need to hire external designers. With the option to design in indigenous languages, businesses can develop brand assets that resonate more authentically with local audiences.
Additionally, Canva enables faster and more consistent branding across different platforms, an essential factor in building customer trust and a strong brand identity. Its easy-to-use collaboration tools further support small teams, whether they are working remotely or on the move, making it an invaluable resource for modern SMEs.
A Strategic Conversation With Canva Africa’s Leadership
During the Johannesburg launch, Shabangu-Hlophe had a rare opportunity to speak with Canva Africa Lead, Dr Mzamo Masito, who outlined the organisation’s long-term vision for the region.
According to Shabangu-Hlophe, Dr Masito confirmed that expanding Canva’s educational offerings into Eswatini is already a priority, with plans to engage schools and youth-focused institutions.
In his keynote address, Dr Masito emphasised the continent-wide mission:
to equip African learners with global-standard creative tools, digital communication abilities, design exposure, and entrepreneurial skills—ultimately closing the “access gap” for African students and building a strong creative economy from the ground up.
Strengthening Eswatini’s Position in Africa’s Creative and Digital Economy
For Eswatini’s SME ecosystem, Canva Africa represents far more than a design upgrade. It is an invitation to compete on equal footing with larger regional and global brands. With the ability to produce professional content quickly and affordably, small businesses gain the agility and credibility needed in an increasingly digital market.
Shabangu-Hlophe believes this is a moment Eswatini must seize.
“As a small business owner, I left the event inspired. Canva Africa is not just entering the continent; they are investing in it. And Eswatini deserves to be part of that story,” she said. “What stood out for me is Canva Africa’s commitment not just to businesses, but to education and creatives alike.”
A New Chapter for African Creators and Eswatini’s SMEs
The Canva Africa launch signals a significant turning point for digital innovation on the continent.
With local entrepreneurs like Koko Shabangu-Hlophe leading the conversation and representing Eswatini on global platforms, the Kingdom stands ready to embrace the next chapter of business transformation, digital creativity, and youth empowerment.