What began as a Mother’s Day drive by Eswatini Mobile turned into an emotional tribute to sacrifice, resilience and unconditional love, as the company honoured five extraordinary mothers with luxury hampers.
The telecommunications company had invited the public on Facebook to nominate mothers deserving of recognition, promising hampers for the most touching stories. However, according to Eswatini Mobile Head of Sales and Marketing Nosipho Xaba, the overwhelming response transformed the effort into something far more meaningful.
“We wanted to take a different approach as a company in celebrating mothers. Although we understood what we wanted, emaSwati really showed us what celebrating mothers is,” said Xaba.
“This was not a tick-box exercise, but it was really about going practical and hearing different stories about how our mothers shape our lives. We thought we were simply giving away hampers, but the stories reminded us of the deep role mothers and mother figures continue to play in our communities.”
Among the winners was a mother figure nominated by Izwa Kele, who lost her biological mother at the age of six. Izwa explained how the woman stepped into her life after they met at church in 2019.
“She’s not the mother who gave birth to me, but she filled a void in my life,” Izwa shared, recalling how the woman helped with school uniforms, transport money and toiletries during difficult times.
Another emotional tribute came from Bongumusa Mhlongo, who nominated his mother, Patience Dlamini. Despite losing two daughters in one weekend in 2011 and another daughter last year, Dlamini continued caring for others and opening her home to those in need.
“She’s the strongest person I know,” Bongumusa wrote. “We are not rich, but she always has an extra plate for someone in need.”
Ellen Langa was also recognised for raising Bongiswa Mkhokhocy after the death of his birth mother. Despite financial struggles and working at ‘emafemini’, she ensured he completed school.
Another heartfelt nominee was Lomcwasho Mabuza, a teacher at St Joseph’s High School, who supported former student Chawlani Collins after an accident left him wheelchair-bound and out of school for three years.
The stories shared by emaSwati highlighted the different forms motherhood can take, from women raising children not biologically their own to mothers who continue caring for others despite personal tragedy and financial hardship.
