Former Mr Eswatini Sive Mawelela has defended the relevance of the pageant amid growing public scepticism over its impact.
Mawelela, who was crowned Mr Eswatini in December 2023, completed a two-year reign that ended in December 2025. During this period, he says he dedicated himself to initiatives aimed at motivating the youth, supporting education and giving back to communities, despite criticism that the pageant has lost its relevance.
“Mr Eswatini represents the community or organisation, promoting positive values and doing good deeds in our country. Public speaking, sharing my story to motivate young men, charity work, attending functions and being a role model had been my focus,” Mawelela said.
Some members of the public have expressed frustration that the pageant appears to offer little beyond the glamour of competitions, arguing that there have been few visible contributions from titleholders.
Mawelela, however, insists that much of his work went unnoticed.
“As Mr Eswatini, I actively engaged in numerous projects, including motivating the youth at Christ Cares Kingdom Ambassadors on the integration of education, religion and life. I also partnered with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) to donate sanitary towels to a school in the Lubombo region, addressing menstrual poverty and its impact on girls’ education,” he said.
Other initiatives included inspiring learners at Ngwane Park High School’s Career Day, hosting a Condom Day Commemoration in Manzini, motivating youth in Matsapha through the AHF Youth Ambassadors programme, and initiating a vegetable planting project at Mangwaneni Social Centre.
Mawelela also partnered with Woolworths Eswatini to donate Lactogen bottles to the ABC Foundation, which cares for abandoned children.
“All these were done personally, with no assistance or follow-ups from the office,” he said, underscoring the personal dedication behind his efforts.
He also highlighted a personal achievement during his reign.
“I graduated with my Secondary Teacher’s Diploma while holding the Mr Eswatini title, showing my commitment to education and personal development,” he said.
Despite these accomplishments, critics have continued to question the relevance of the Mr Eswatini pageant in modern Eswatini, with some arguing that it is outdated and lacks a practical purpose.
Mawelela disagrees.
“I beg to differ. The Mr Eswatini pageant empowers young leaders, promotes self-confidence and fosters community engagement. It is a platform for the youth to develop skills, showcase talents and become role models. But all that can only happen when the relevant structures give the much-needed attention to the pageant at large,” he said.
He also outlined challenges that limited his visibility and impact during his reign.
“Lack of support and discouragement were my first major challenges. One would expect public criticism, which is normal, but in my case, it came directly from the office meant to protect me as a titleholder,” he said.
Mawelela recalled a particularly painful incident.
“After selflessly donating toiletries to schoolchildren, I was met with the appalling question: ‘What kind of a man donates sanitary towels?’ This wasn’t just an insult; it was an attack on my masculinity, my humanity and my sincere efforts to make a difference,” he said.
Asked what he would change about the pageant, Mawelela emphasised the importance of people over structures.
“The pageant’s value isn’t in its structure, but in the people behind it. With individuals driven by kindness, empathy and a desire to uplift others, Mr Eswatini can thrive and make a difference in Eswatini,” he said.
For Mawelela, the true impact of the title lies in the actions of its holders rather than the glamour of the crown.
“The title’s impact comes from individuals who use it to inspire, motivate and give back. If the right people are chosen — those with passion, heart and vision for service — the pageant becomes a platform that truly matters,” he said.
Although his reign officially ended in December 2025, Mawelela hopes his work will leave a lasting impression.
