Ezulwini – Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has praised businessman Michelo Shakantu and his firm Inyatsi Group Holdings after touring the International Convention Centre the company built in Ezulwini, describing Shakantu’s business and investment acumen as an example other Zambians should follow.
The tour took place on April 26, 2026, during President Hichilema’s visit to the Kingdom of Eswatini for celebrations marking the 40-year reign of King Mswati III, which also coincided with the king’s 58th birthday.
The convention centre, also known as Palazzo Ezulwini Hotel and Convention Centre, sits in Ezulwini, west of Manzini, the commercial hub of the kingdom. King Mswati III officially opened the centre on Friday, April 24, 2026. It has a sitting capacity of over 1,800 people and features modern dining halls, fully equipped conference rooms, a 200-seater meeting space, a world-class theatre designed for international standard productions, world-class exhibition spaces and a five-star hotel. 
Shakantu, a Zambian, chairs Inyatsi Group Holdings, a firm that has grown into a diversified pan-African business with operations in several African countries. The group has influence across strategic sectors including construction, media, mining, telecommunications, manufacturing, health and insurance.
The celebratory event for King Mswati’s reign took place at Ludzidzini Royal Residence in Ezulwini. King Mswati III, born Makhosetive Dlamini on April 19, 1968, was installed and crowned as King on April 25, 1986, at the age of 18.
President Hichilema was accompanied during the visit by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mulambo Haimbe and Zambia’s High Commissioner to Mozambique Derrick Livune, who holds extra accreditation to the Kingdom of Eswatini. The President returned to Lusaka on the evening of April 26, 2026. Shakantu and praised his business and investment acumen, expressing a desire for other Zambians to follow his example. Shakantu’s firm has grown into a diversified pan-African business with operations in several African countries, with influence across strategic sectors including construction, media, mining, telecommunications, manufacturing, health and insurance.
President Hichilema was in Eswatini to attend the celebrations marking King Mswati’s 40-year reign. The celebratory event took place at Ludzidzini Royal Residence in Ezulwini. The occasion also coincided with King Mswati’s 58th birthday.
King Mswati III, born Makhosetive Dlamini on April 19, 1968, was installed and crowned as King on April 25, 1986, at the age of 18. President Hichilema returned to Lusaka on the evening of April 26, 2026.
