Africa-Press – Eswatini. If you thought rural communities were sleeping on innovation, think again. The usually quiet Phongolwane SDA Primary School Hall was buzzing with energy on Thursday as the Lutfo Dlamini Foundation, in partnership with fintech trailblazer InstaCash, the Eswatini Medical Christian University, and other stakeholders, delivered a powerful dose of entrepreneurial inspiration.
Locals turned up in numbers — from wide-eyed youth to determined gogos — to soak up wisdom on how to turn everyday ideas into bankable businesses. The session, themed around practical entrepreneurship, was described as “a game changer” by many who attended.
Organisers were pleased that all the scheduled speakers honoured their invitations, a move that added to the event’s credibility and smooth flow. The training drew participants from Phongolwane and surrounding areas, attracting a vibrant mix of both young and elderly people eager to take charge of their economic futures.
Taking centre stage was InstaCash’s Commercial Marketing Manager, Bongani Thizalami Dube, who didn’t hold back on spilling the digital tea. He told attendees that smartphones aren’t just for selfies and WhatsApp — they’re powerful business tools.
Dube reportedly encouraged residents to start small but dream big, saying ICT was the great equalizer. He outlined InstaCash’s packages for would-be agents, breaking down how the platform empowers ordinary citizens to tap into the fintech space without needing huge capital.
“There’s a lot you can do with what you have,” Dube was quoted as saying, urging community members to turn mobile tech into mobile income.
Adding a touch of inspiration was rising entrepreneur Lesi Nxumalo, who shared her journey of grit and growth. She challenged young people — especially women — to stop waiting for handouts and start building. Her message? Fail forward, stay innovative, and never doubt your magic.
It wasn’t just all talk. The event saw Foundation founder Lutfo Dlamini get his hands dirty — quite literally — during a symbolic banana tree planting ceremony on the school grounds. He told residents that the tree was more than just fruit; it represented growth, sustainability, and community roots.
Dlamini promised that the gesture was only the beginning, vowing to deliver more banana trees and farming seedlings to support local food production and agribusiness ventures.
“We’re not just planting trees — we’re planting opportunities,” he reportedly said, earning nods from impressed elders.
Education wasn’t left out of the mix. Andile Lawson, President of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at Eswatini Medical Christian University, spoke about how the institution was marrying academics with real-world skills. He said the university was ready to walk with young people beyond the classroom, offering both knowledge and entrepreneurial pathways.
The session also enjoyed the support of Mtsambama MP Sibongile Mamba, who was spotted mingling with locals and urging them to run with the skills shared. The collaboration between public figures, institutions, and the private sector highlighted a growing recognition that economic revival must be a group project.
By the end of the day, the atmosphere was electric. Participants left armed with new connections, fresh ideas, and a hunger to hustle smarter.
“This is the type of energy we need — training that speaks to our reality, not just boardroom theories,” said one excited attendee.
Dlamini wrapped up the event by pledging ongoing support for entrepreneurship and agricultural empowerment in the region. According to him, this was the first of many initiatives set to transform rural spaces into thriving economic zones.
With banana trees planted, business dreams ignited, and phones now doubling as cash machines, Phongolwane may just be the next big thing on Eswatini’s entrepreneurial map.
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