MBABANE: Melane Leather Eswatini, a leather goods enterprise owned by Dumsile Nobuhle Simelane, has been crowned Overall Hhohho Regional Winner at the 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade said the business was recognised for innovation, resilience and its contribution to the Kingdom’s entrepreneurial landscape.
The award was handed over during the Hhohho regional competition, staged under the theme “20 Years of Nurturing Future Growth.” 
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo congratulated all participants, saying every entrepreneur who entered the competition had already proven their worth by meeting the programme’s rigorous judging standards.
Khumalo spoke of Hhohho’s position as the country’s financial and commercial gateway. He said 81 businesses from the region took part in this year’s competition, close to a quarter of all entries received across the four regions.
The Minister said Government remains committed to supporting micro, small and medium enterprises through the Citizen Economic Empowerment Act and the National MSME Policy (2024 to 2029), which are meant to open up more room for businesses to formalise, grow and reach new markets.
Simelane’s Melane Leather Eswatini took a second title on the night, walking away with the Outstanding Woman-Owned Business award.
The other Hhohho regional category winners are:
- Outstanding Youth-Owned Business: Aquaritech IT Solutions (Senzo Mathunjwa)
- Outstanding Agri-Business: Malu’s Poultry (Malungelo Simelane)
- Most Tech-Savvy Business: Instant Electrical (Qiniso Shongwe)
- Most Innovative Business: Grace Howard Investments (Pty) Ltd (Thokozani H. Vilakati)
- Outstanding Green Business: Master Art Works (Dumsani Charles Mnisi)
- Outstanding Handicraft Business: Benangu Investments (Eunice Simangele Jele)
- Outstanding Start-up Business: Cartel Car Wash (Gift Irvin Ferreira)
- Outstanding Street Vendor: Nomonde Handicraft (Dumsile Magagula)
- Outstanding Business Owned by a Person with Disabilities: Mbathe Mobile (Themba Magagula)
The Ministry congratulated all the regional winners and participants, saying they had shown the innovation, determination and entrepreneurial spirit that continues to drive economic growth in the Kingdom.
