By Phiwa Sikhondze
As per their promise, Eswatini Bank awarded a state-of-the-art mobile kitchen valued at E50,000 to the best food vendor, Nconco’s Kitchen, which is co-owned by Ncobile Shongwe and Thandekile Ziyane.
The duo were crowned the best vendors at the 2024 Eswatini International Trade Fair.
The handover occurred yesterday at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre, with key dignitaries in attendance, including the Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Trade, Mancoba Khumalo, and Eswatini Bank’s Managing Director, Nozizwe Mulela.
The mobile kitchen, equipped with advanced features like a fryer, grill, and professional branding from Branding Designs, is designed to help food vendors expand their operations by enabling them to serve high-quality meals in various locations across the country.
For Shongwe and Ziyane, the business partners behind Nconco’s Kitchen, this prize represents a game-changing opportunity to scale their business and reach more customers.
During the ceremony, Mulela expressed the bank’s commitment to empowering small and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in Eswatini, particularly women- and youth-owned businesses.
“It is with great pride that we participate in this transformative event at the 2024 Eswatini International Trade Fair. At Eswatini Bank, we are dedicated to supporting local businesses, especially food vendors who play a critical role in driving our economy. This mobile kitchen is not just a prize; it’s a tool for growth, enabling the winners to expand their operations, increase income, and contribute to job creation,” Mulela said.
She also highlighted the bank’s ongoing efforts to support SMMEs, noting that Eswatini Bank offers both financial and technical assistance through its Business Banking Division.
“Our SMME Division, with Business Bankers strategically placed across the country, is available to provide guidance and financial support to ensure businesses like Nconco’s Kitchen thrive,” she added.
The competition for the best vendor was intense, with participants judged on various criteria, including customer service, hygiene, adherence to safety protocols, and the use of modern payment technologies. Vendors also had to be in operation for at least five years, ensuring that the mobile kitchen would be awarded to a business with proven sustainability and growth potential.
The Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, emphasized the importance of recognizing businesses that have demonstrated resilience and dedication.
He noted that the judging panel had been meticulous in selecting a deserving winner, ensuring that the mobile kitchen goes to vendors who had shown growth potential and could use the prize to elevate their business. Khumalo highlighted Nconco’s Kitchen as a shining example of Eswatini’s entrepreneurial spirit, adding that the award will propel them to even greater heights.
Eswatini Bank’s support for the EITF has been a key driver of local business growth for over 15 years. This year, the bank’s total contribution to the fair amounted to E150,000, reflecting its ongoing commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and inclusivity. In addition to the mobile kitchen prize, Eswatini Bank has sponsored various other initiatives to empower local businesses, particularly those owned by women and youth.
Minister Khumalo acknowledged the bank’s significant role in promoting economic growth in the country, stating, “Eswatini Bank has been a steadfast partner of the EITF, offering more than just financial support. Their efforts in fostering inclusivity and encouraging the growth of women- and youth-led businesses have been crucial to our economy.”
In response to winning the mobile kitchen, Ncobile Shongwe expressed immense gratitude for the recognition, stating that it was their first time participating in the trade fair.
“We are truly honoured to receive this incredible prize. It will allow us to expand our business beyond what we thought possible, and we are excited to serve even more people across Eswatini,” she said.