WHAT started out as a dream has now snowballed into something beautiful and amazing as the Mbabane City will in May host its second edition of the Made in Eswatini Consumer Fair.
The smart city is set to take centre stage on May 1 as Mbabane hosts this year’s fair, a key platform dedicated to promoting and trading of locally produced goods.
This was revealed during the official tour of the venue Dr Sishayi Road by Princess Sakhizwe, Minister of Housing and Urban Development Appolo Maphalala, Municipal Council of Mbabane CEO Gciniwe Fakudze, Mayor Thulani Mkhonto and other high ranking officials yesterday.
The tour offered an exclusive preview of how the precinct would be transformed into a well curated superstore showcasing the very best of products and services of Made in Eswatini.
Patron of the initiative Princess Sakhizwe appreciated Maphalala for his role as the head of the ministry, Mbabane East Member of Parliament (MP) Welcome Dlamini for his steadfast support of the platform and for his strong, constructive working relationship he fosters with Mbabane.
She noted that the nation was preparing to celebrate His Majesty King Mswati III’s 40-year reign and 58th birthday.
She said the Ruby Jubilee of His Majesty’s coronation marked a historic milestone for the nation.
For the past four decades, she said the king has consistently demonstrated a deep passion for business, local enterprise and urban development.
Princess Sakhizwe said she sincerely hoped that in the near future, they would be ready to create a platform where His Majesty could engage directly with the platform.
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“His Majesty’s choice for this ministry was indeed a profound one.
“Your appointment as an experienced local government practitioner did not only bring expertise, but passion into this critical space of urban development. I am sure my Chief Executive Officer Gciniwe Fakudze really enjoys working with you.
“Such collaboration is vital for it enables us to align vision with action for the benefit of our people and the nation at large. We gather in a session of profound national reflection of these remarkable products that are made locally. We wish His Majesty a long life, continued strength and enduring wisdom,” Princess Sakhizwe said.
Princess Sakhizwe also noted that A Peculiar People was currently developing a national Choose Local multimedia campaign.
She said it was an initiative that was not just timely, but necessary because it would elevate awareness around the affordability, quality and true economic value of choosing locally made products.
The princess said the campaign would require partners, people and investment to prompt a world class commercial that would embed a proud bi-local culture.
She said it was a critical step, a definition grounded in products that are wholly produced, manufactured, assembled or substantially transformed within the country’s borders.
She also assured that they would ensure that the campaign became one that uplifts local enterprises, protects consumers and strengthens the economy.
“The Made in Eswatini Consumer Fair is now the largest platform for locally produced goods in the kingdom. It will continue to grow even bigger. As I speak, the on-boarding of merchants for the fair has been closed due to the space and other logistical limitations. There are local entrepreneurs from all over the country that are eager to participate, but cannot at this point,” she added.
