By Zamandulo Ntshalintshali
The highly anticipated Unlock Summit 2025 has announced its first panel line-up, featuring four of Eswatini’s most respected leaders.
Set to take place on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the Mavuso Trade & Exhibition Centre, the summit promises to be a landmark event in the national leadership calendar. With the theme “Unlock Self. Unlock Others. Unlock Change,” the event seeks to ignite mental, emotional, and entrepreneurial transformation among leaders across sectors.
The first panel line-up brings together four influential leaders who are known not just for occupying senior positions, but for leading with intention, depth, and clarity. The panel will paint the reality of where we are in business, entrepreneurship, and corporate leadership — but more importantly, it will open the path to where we can go if we rise, align, and unlock.
Nozizwe Mulela, Managing Director of Eswatini Bank, will open the discussion with insights on legacy, impact, and purpose-driven leadership. A celebrated speaker and continental thought leader, her presence is expected to anchor the summit’s message of purposeful leadership.
Muzi Siyaya, Managing Director of Ubombo Sugar Limited and Vice President of Trade & Commerce at Business Eswatini, will explore strategic foresight and transformation across sectors. His experience in systems-building and policy influence will provide a grounded view of leadership amid Africa’s shifting economic realities.
Mandla “Cheeks” Nxumalo, Managing Director of Instacash and Investment Manager at Inhlonhla, offers a dual perspective as both founder and funder. Known for driving access to capital and entrepreneurial readiness, he will highlight what it takes to build resilient, scalable businesses.
Gciniwe Fakudze, CEO of Mbabane City Council, will contribute her unique lens on public sector leadership. Focused on empathy, mentorship, and community transformation, Fakudze’s approach bridges structure and soul—encouraging systems that serve people effectively.
Summit Co-ordinator and Transformation Catalyst Thamsanqa “KrTC” Sibandze emphasized that the summit is not simply a corporate check-in. “This conversation isn’t just a corporate check-in,” he said. “It’s a recalibration of how we see ourselves, our roles, and our potential and how we lead through this constantly shifting world.”
He added that the panel will lay the foundation for deeper reflection on values, personal mastery, and the type of leadership needed to meet the challenges of today’s world. “Before we go out to lead others or build empires, we’re being called to lead ourselves — and lead ourselves well,” he stressed.
Organised by The K3Y, the Unlock Summit is open to a broad audience—from seasoned CEOs to young creatives with a vision. The platform is designed to foster bold conversations and actionable insights, helping attendees unlock both personal and collective growth.
Tickets are available in three tiers: General (E350), Gold (E1,000), and Platinum (E2,500)—the latter includes a copy of a book by acclaimed business speaker Vusi Thembekwayo. The summit will run from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, welcoming entrepreneurs, executives, creatives, and aspiring leaders for a full day of inspiration and growth. A second panel line-up is expected to be announced soon, promising even more thought-provoking dialogue.