Africa-Press – Eswatini. A young woman from Mbabane who lost both her parents at the age of 12 is now one of Eswatini’s most inspiring entrepreneurs, thanks to a life-changing boost from the Women’s Start-up Microfinance Revolving Fund backed by Taiwan.
Lwazi Mlambo, founder of Lassies Crafts, shared her powerful journey during the Presentation of Achievement of the Women’s Start-up Microfinance Revolving Fund held at Sibanesami Hotel in Ezulwini.
She told guests that the E20 000 seed funding she received from the fund helped turn her passion for beadwork into a formal business. Mlambo said she later repaid the loan, applied for more support, and steadily grew her operations into a thriving enterprise.
“Taiwan ICDF helped me realise my dream of owning a business. I started small, selling at local markets, but today I run a shop and consultation office where I also mentor young people,” she said.
The event was attended by a high-level delegation that included Taiwan’s Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Lin Chia-lung, Eswatini’s Deputy Prime Minister Thuli Dladla, Foreign Affairs Minister Pholile Dlamini-Shakantu, and Commerce Minister Mancoba Khumalo, among others.
Dr Lin said he was moved by the women’s success stories and confirmed that Taiwan would inject more funds to support additional female entrepreneurs. “This is more than diplomacy. It’s real impact. We are happy to support women like Lwazi who are building their futures,” he said.
The revolving fund, which recently received a E9.4 million injection, is implemented through a partnership between the Taiwan Technical Mission, Eswatini’s Ministry of Commerce, ECODEC and SEDCO. Since its inception, it has empowered over 500 women in business and agriculture.
Commerce Minister Mancoba Khumalo praised Taiwan’s continued support and revealed that the government was considering developing a local version of the fund to widen its reach.
“This is a model that works, and we’re looking into how we can make something similar home-grown,” he said.
Mlambo, now a role model to aspiring crafters, said her love for handcrafts was passed down by her mother and grandmother. After their passing, she was forced to grow up fast and began working at 14 to support herself and finish school.
She later improved her beadwork skills through a short course and YouTube tutorials, which she described as a game-changer.
Her achievements were recently recognised when she scooped the Outstanding Handcraft Business Award in the Hhohho region, an accolade she said encouraged her to aim even higher.
“I look up to women like Oprah Winfrey and Savannah Maziya. They remind me that we can rise, even from the most difficult beginnings,” she said.
Another emotional highlight of the event came when farmer Nomfundo Mabuza introduced her baby girl, named “Taiwan”, to Dr Lin.
Mabuza, who runs Nomfundo’s Fresh Produce in Vuvulane, said the name was a heartfelt tribute to the agricultural loan she received through the Taiwan-supported initiative. With it, she now grows green mealies, beans, sweet potatoes, and cabbages.
“My baby represents the new life I’ve built,” Mabuza said, holding little Taiwan proudly as guests applauded.
As the event wrapped up, Mlambo appealed for assistance in accessing international markets, saying local crafters were ready to go global. “We’ve proved that we can deliver. Now we just need help crossing borders,” she said.The event left no doubt, when women are empowered with the right tools and support, they don’t just build businesses, they build nations.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
