Africa-Press – Eswatini. Family businesses form the backbone of Eswatini’s economy, from small shops and farms to established enterprises.
But as the founding generation grows older, the responsibility of keeping these businesses alive is increasingly shifting to their children. The challenges and opportunities of this handover will take centre stage at the Family Business Summit 2025 (2nd Edition), set for Wednesday, 24 September 2025, at Happy Valley Hotel, Ezulwini.
Held under the theme “Growing Legacies, Embracing Change,” the summit seeks to highlight how families can successfully pass on leadership while safeguarding both values and livelihoods. Organisers note that while family run companies remain vital for jobs and community life, research shows that less than a third survive the transition to the second generation, with even fewer lasting into the third.
Big names, practical insights
The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Hon. Manqoba Khumalo, will deliver the keynote address, setting the tone for a day of reflection and knowledge sharing. The summit will be hosted by Sifiso Ndwandwe of Sothaba Enterprise Associates and Dr Sikhomba Gumbi of REDI.
Guest speakers include Alan Barr (KPMG, South Africa), Dr Manessah Alagbaoso (Standard Bank Group, South Africa) and Creagh Sudding (KPMG, South Africa). They will be joined by a diverse panel of local leaders: Ali Resting (MD, Real Image Internet), Sasha De Sousa (GM, Dups Holdings and Liyandza Family Trust), Dumisani Msibi (Group MD, FINCORP), and Dudu Dlamini (Director, Mbabane Burial Benefit).
Why it matters
Organisers emphasise that succession is not just a private family affair but a national concern, since these businesses provide employment, support suppliers, and drive local economies. Stories abound of family ventures that collapse due to disputes, lack of planning, or leadership struggles with ripple effects felt far beyond the family.
The summit aims to counter these risks by offering tools and strategies for smooth handovers, blending traditional values with modern management approaches such as digital systems, professional governance, and skills training for future leaders.
Registration details
The one day event runs from 7:30am to 5:00pm. Tickets are E2 760 per person for general admission and E2 595 per person for groups of more than five. Registration is open at familybizsummit.com/#register, via the QR code on the summit poster, or by contacting organisers at +268 7625 4140 / 7987 1115.
Building legacies together
Eswatini’s family businesses have long been more than just enterprises; they are legacies of trust, resilience and shared effort. As the next generation steps forward, the summit invites both founders and successors to learn how to sustain these legacies, not just for their families, but for the communities and the nation they support.
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