Africa-Press – Eswatini. The country’s most anticipated charity cookout, Eswatini’s Biggest Braai, is back and bolder, with Robertsons Spices stepping in as the main sponsor with a generous E500,000 sponsorship for the 9th edition, set to take place on July 26, 2025, at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre.
The official launch took place on April 28 at Ocean Cuisine, Riverstone Mall, Manzini, drawing government officials, sponsors, stakeholders, and the media to witness the official unveiling of this year’s support base for the Philani Maswati Charity Organization’s flagship fundraiser.
Speaking on behalf of the main sponsor, Logico Managing Director Clark Pegg expressed Robertsons’ commitment to the cause. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Philani Maswati Charity Organization in this impactful initiative,” said Pegg. “For us at Robertsons, flavour is about more than just taste, it’s about bringing people together, and nothing embodies that spirit more than Eswatini’s Biggest Braai. We look forward to taking this event to new heights and reaching every corner of the Kingdom in our promotional journey leading to the main event.”
E500,000 Boost from Robertsons
Philani Maswati Chairman, Lutfo Dlamini, welcomed the landmark partnership, saying the involvement of a brand as respected as Robertsons showed just how much the event had grown over the years. “When we started in Matsapha with just 300 people, we never imagined this scale. Her Majesty the Indlovukazi saw something greater in us and encouraged us to make this an annual event, and today, that vision is a reality,” he remarked.
DPM’s Office Backs the Initiative
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister, Senator Thulisile Dladla, the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Jane Mkhonta-Simelane emphasised the event’s alignment with government’s efforts to protect and uplift vulnerable groups.
“It is an honour for me to be invited to this important occasion to mark the official launch of the 2025 Biggest Braai,” she read. “The Biggest Braai is an event that aims to provide a helping hand to alleviate the suffering of extremely needy older persons and vulnerable children, in line with the mandate of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.”
Quoting the late Prime Minister Major General Maphevu from 1978, the DPM’s message urged the nation to build on past hardships and triumphs. “Do not let the hardships, trials, temptations and tribulations of the past be wasted. Instead, build on their examples so that coming generations can look back with pride on your accomplishments,” she read.
“We look back with pride on the milestones Philani Maswati has achieved. You have made Her Majesty the Indlovukazi proud. This event has restored hope and joy to the less privileged and we are eternally grateful to the sponsors for standing with a winning team,” she added.
The DPM’s message also encouraged emaSwati to come out in their numbers and support the cause. “With the interest shown over the years from both emaSwati and friends from beyond our borders, I invite everyone to purchase this year’s Biggest Braai tickets. Let’s make this the biggest edition yet!”
Sponsors Fire Up the Support
Other sponsors who pledged support included:
Embiveni Meats, increasing their sponsorship to E350,000, 50% of which is in premium meat products.
eBet, returning with a E35,000 sponsorship towards the Drifting & Spinning motor show.
Eswatini Mobile, offering 11 smartphones and enabling a cashless payment system in partnership with Sky Fly.
Ocean Cuisine, hosting and supporting the launch event.
Eswatini National Trust Commission, supporting the traditional African guests segment.
An international donor from Ghana, pledging E100,000.
Celebratory Braai at the Launch
The official launch concluded with a symbolic braai outside Riverstone Mall. Ministers, stakeholders and industry leaders—including the Minister of Tourism—rolled up their sleeves to showcase their braai skills using meat sponsored by Embiveni Meats.
As excitement builds, ticket sales are expected to open soon across the country. With such robust backing and royal patronage from Her Majesty the Indlovukazi, the 2025 edition promises to be the biggest and most impactful braai celebration Eswatini has seen yet.
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