African Alliance has officially appointed long-serving executive Mario Fernandes as Chief Executive Officer of Lojaf Pick n Pay, effective 1 August 2025.
The announcement was made during a media briefing led by S’thofeni Ginindza, Partner at African Alliance. Ginindza praised Fernandes for his unwavering dedication and crucial role in expanding the franchise’s presence across the kingdom.
“This is not just a title change; it’s a recognition of a journey, a work ethic, and a commitment to excellence that has elevated Lojaf from four outlets to a leading retail force nationwide,” said Ginindza.
Although Fernandes officially joined the company in 2016, he revealed that his connection with Pick n Pay in Eswatini dates back to 2006, when he started working under the Foster family, the former franchise owners.
“It’s been a long and fruitful journey,” said Fernandes. “We’ve always focused on pushing the team, delivering results, and building something sustainable.”
By 2018, Fernandes had become General Manager, overseeing operations during a period of significant growth. Now, as CEO, he leads a team of over 830 employees, managing a dynamic retail portfolio including Pick n Pay, Afropec (formerly Westpack), and ESDI stores.
Fernandes was quick to credit his team, expressing gratitude to colleagues who have supported him along the way.
“I’d like to send a special thanks to my team. I’ve had great support throughout, and together, we’ve made this happen,” he said.
When African Alliance acquired the franchise, Pick n Pay Eswatini operated just four stores—Mbabane, Manzini (The Hub), and two in Matsapha (Mahhala and Mashayitafula). Today, the footprint has more than doubled, reaching communities with world-class retail experiences.
“We don’t just grow for the sake of growth,” noted Ginindza. “We build with purpose, to meet global standards. Whether in Mahhala or Hyde Park in Johannesburg, our customers should experience the same exceptional quality.”
Ginindza also emphasized the group’s strong commitment to local empowerment, pointing out that all their businesses are led by emaSwati.
“When we don’t find the necessary skills, we develop them,” he said. “We once trained a local legal practitioner on stock exchange listing procedures. That’s how seriously we take local capacity building.”