Africa-Press – Eswatini. Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (EYA) 2025 overall national winner, Duncan Dlamini, has praised FNB Eswatini for the financial and operational support that helped transform his business at a critical time.
Dlamini, who owns DJD Investments, a growing piggery and butchery enterprise in Matsetsa, Lubombo Region, says the bank’s intervention was pivotal to his expansion journey.
Dlamini received the top national honour and drove away with a brand-new Toyota Hilux single cab valued at E600 000, sponsored by FNB Eswatini, during the awards ceremony held on 7 November and graced by His Majesty King Mswati III.
Reflecting on his business challenges before the award, Dlamini said an ageing delivery vehicle had drained over E200 000 in repairs and significantly hampered operations. He credits FNB for stepping in at the right moment.
“I will never forget Mrs Bhembe at FNB Lifestyle Manzini Branch,” he recalled. “I came to FNB stressed and confused. With her assistance, I managed to sort out my penalty and secured a brand-new truck through FNB Vehicle Finance. That truck changed everything. It improved our deliveries and FNB further helped us complete our waste-management system.”
Beyond commercial growth, Dlamini emphasised that DJD Investments is built on community empowerment. His approach prioritises hiring local builders, sourcing services from within the community and mentoring young and aspiring pig farmers through exposure and hands-on guidance.
“We must be intentional about creating a local economy so that money circulates within our communities,” he said.
Looking ahead, Dlamini has set his sights on a national ambition: the establishment of an export-ready abattoir that would allow Eswatini’s pork producers to access international markets. He noted that neighbouring Mozambique has made significant progress in this area, and Eswatini could unlock similar opportunities.
His long-term growth plans also include opening a second farm, introducing modern farming units and deepening collaboration among pig farmers to build a unified value chain, modelled on the highly coordinated sugarcane industry.
“Entrepreneurs should use opportunities like EYA as evaluation tools,” he added, encouraging others to leverage such platforms for business reflection and strategic growth.
FNB Eswatini Executive Head of Commercial Banking, Chantell Littler, reaffirmed the bank’s unwavering commitment to supporting local enterprises. She underscored the crucial role entrepreneurs play in shaping the national economy, particularly as the country marks Global Entrepreneurship Week.
“Entrepreneurs are the heartbeat of our economy,” Littler said. “This week reminds us that every great business starts with a single brave step. At FNB Eswatini, we are committed to walking that journey with entrepreneurs, helping them turn growth ideas into real businesses and challenges into opportunities. We remain committed to giving them the support and tools they need to expand, innovate and create lasting impact in our economy.”
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