Africa-Press – Eswatini. In a heartwarming turn of events that has gripped the hearts of many across the Kingdom, Thuli Nhlabatsi, a devoted wife and mother from Ngudzeni, has won the first E20,000 cash prize in the Candana Ja competition, a customer rewards initiative by Eswatini Meat Industries, aimed at giving back to the people of Eswatini in a meaningful and transformative way.
The live draw, which took place on the 2nd of June 2025, was followed by customers nationwide, all eager to see who would become the first winner of this generous promotion. From thousands of entries dropped into boxes across Embiveni outlets, one name was called; Thuli Nhlabatsi, a name that is now synonymous with hope, gratitude, and new beginnings.
“Ngiyabonga kakhulu”: A Moment of Emotion and Renewal
When reached for an interview after the draw, Thuli was overwhelmed with emotion. Tears streamed down her face. Her voice, choked with gratitude, could barely carry her words. She paused repeatedly, her emotions too heavy to express.
“Bengingakagadzi kutsi ngingawina, nalelilanga ngitsenga; ngakhuluma namunye wetisebenti jokingly kutsi ngitayitsatsa lemali, ngafaka slip sami eboxini” she finally managed to say. “This money means everything to me right now.”
Thuli, who is married to Mbongseni Nhlabatsi and stays at home to care for their children, said the money will go directly toward paying her child’s school fees: a looming responsibility she had been struggling with. She also shared her vision of starting a small chicken farming business in Ngudzeni as a means of creating a sustainable income for her family.
“This has planted a seed,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to do something meaningful, something that can grow. I want to contribute to my home, to my community. I believe this is the beginning of something bigger.”
And bigger still are her dreams. Thuli hopes to resume her tertiary studies at the University of Johannesburg, where she had previously enrolled before having to pause due to financial and family responsibilities.
A Competition That Changes Lives
The Candana Ja competition has been running in all Embiveni Meat Market outlets nationwide. Participation is simple: customers who purchase meat worth E100 or more are eligible to enter. They just need to write their name and contact number on the back of their receipt and place it in the designated Candana Ja box at the shop.
The initiative has not only driven up engagement in Embiveni stores, but it has also turned everyday shopping into a beacon of hope. “This isn’t just about giving away money,” said Nontsikelelo Dlamini, The Marketing Officer. “It’s about giving back to the people who have stood by us: mothers, fathers, students, pensioners, every customer matters. Through Candana Ja, we are thanking them in the biggest way we can.”
A Vision That Aligns With National and Corporate Purpose
Thuli’s win is not just a personal victory. It reflects broader goals that Embiveni, and Ingwenyama’s Vision 2022+ share; the vision of a First World Eswatini.
By empowering everyday citizens to build wealth, pursue education, and launch entrepreneurial ventures, Embiveni is actively participating in the socio-economic upliftment of the nation. Candana Ja is not charity; it is empowerment, deeply rooted in the belief that ordinary Emaswati can do extraordinary things when given opportunity.
Inyatsi Group Holdings, the parent company of Embiveni, has long declared its position: Africa’s Leading Integrated Business Partner. This competition is a living example of philosophy, a practical, impactful, people-centered initiative that integrates business success with social upliftment.
“We are not just in business to sell meat,” said the Marketing Officer “We are in business to build a better Africa, starting here, in Eswatini. Thuli’s story is exactly the kind of story we want to multiply across the country.”
This Is Just the Beginning, Another E20,000 Up for Grabs
While Thuli is already planning her future with renewed hope, Embiveni is reminding the public that the Candana Ja competition is still running.
The next live draw will be held on the 1st of July 2025, and another Liswati will walk away with E20,000.00. All you need to do is:
Shop for meat worth E100.00 or more at any Embiveni Meat Market store
Write your name and contact number on the back of your receipt
Drop it into the Candana Ja box
A Story of Hope, A Kingdom Inspired
As Ngudzeni celebrates one of its own, the entire Kingdom is reminded of the power of corporate goodwill, national vision, and faith. Thuli Nhlabatsi’s story is more than a marketing headline, it is a testament to resilience, grace, and the life-changing power of opportunity.
In her final words, she said, “I thank God, I thank Embiveni, and I thank everyone who believes in people like me. This is just the beginning.”
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