Aspiring and established bakers from across Eswatini gathered at The George Hotel for the MTN Bakers Masterclass, a practical skills development session aimed at equipping participants with the tools, techniques, and business insight needed to grow sustainable baking enterprises.
Building on the foundation laid during a previous MTN Business Connect session, the masterclass transitioned participants from core concepts of turning baking into a viable business to advanced, practical applications.
This latest engagement allowed bakers to refine their craft under the guidance of industry experts.
Participants were also taken through practical demonstrations, with Celiwe Matsebula from the Ministry of Agriculture’s Home Economics Department leading a session on equipment and processes involved in making traditional Swazi buns, masithandane. Her contribution added a culturally relevant dimension to the training, blending indigenous knowledge with modern baking practices.
Also facilitating the Masterclass, renowned baking entrepreneur Neliswa Nkala, popularly known as Mrs M, took the participants through a practical baking exercise, sharing some of her recipes. The session emphasised technical precision, creativity, and the importance of consistency in product quality, key elements required to compete in a growing and increasingly demanding market.
Speaking during the session, MTN Eswatini’s Head of Enterprise Business Unit, Wandile Dlamini, underscored the importance of professionalism in transforming small-scale baking into scalable enterprises.
“The idea is to ensure that everyone is equipped with practical knowledge on how to do these things professionally,” said Dlamini. “We are moving beyond just talking; we want to show how these businesses can be structured, improved, and ultimately scaled.”
He highlighted that the session was designed not only to enhance baking skills but also to position participants to access larger markets, including retail chains and bulk supply opportunities.
“When you approach big retailers, quality and consistency are key. That is why today is about getting it right, understanding the standards, the calculations, and how to produce at a level that allows you to grow and make money,” he added.
The interactive nature of the masterclass allowed participants to engage directly with facilitators, ask questions, and receive immediate feedback on their techniques. This, according to MTN, is a critical component in building confidence and competence among small business owners.
Dlamini expressed appreciation for the strong turnout and active engagement, noting that such commitment is essential for the success of the programme.
“We are encouraged by the energy and the willingness to learn that we are seeing here today. We want everyone to leave this room as better bakers and better business people,” he said.
He further revealed that the initiative has received support at the highest level within MTN, with plans already underway to expand the programme.
“Our CEO has appreciated the initiative and has pledged that we will do something even bigger going into the next quarter. The success of this programme will depend on your participation and how you apply what you learn,” he said.
The MTN Business Bakers Masterclass forms part of the company’s broader commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by providing platforms for skills development, knowledge sharing, and networking.