Fashion, Food, Music collide at The Made in Eswatini Consumer

By Mrs M 

“I like it in the city when two worlds collide,” sings Adele, not knowing her words would find new meaning under the Eswatini sun. 

Here, on the eve of a grand celebration where fashion struts, music pulses, and spice-laced air swirl around pop-up stalls, the city prepares for its own kind of collision, one that binds culture and commerce, joy and industry, celebration and ambition.

Tomorrow, the usually industrious stretch of Dr. Sishayi Road will be unrecognizable. Instead of taxis jostling for space and commuters darting across intersections, there will be color, rhythm, aroma, and a pulse. 

A pulse that beats to the sound of Eswatini's culture, creativity, and commerce. 

For the very first time, Mbabane will host the Made in Eswatini Consumer Fair, a debut event of bold ambition and heartfelt celebration, landing on the day of His Majesty King Mswati III’s 57th birthday celebrations. 

A dazzling convergence of fashion, food, and music, this is not just a market it is a movement. And with a special convoy from the Republic of China (Taiwan) already in the country to honor His Majesty’s birthday, the timing could not be more perfect. 

Eswatini, dressed in her finest, is ready to show the world what she’s made of.

From bold traditional silhouettes reimagined by modern hands to eco-conscious streetwear stitched in Mbabane backrooms, the fashion showcases promise to spotlight the rich tapestry of Swazi design. 

Local designers such as Khokho Collection and Bestess Bespoke will unveil collections that speak to heritage, resilience, and the future of African fashion.

Expect to see beadwork with stories, fabrics that flutter like freedom, and a runway pulsing with pride.

The fair isn’t simply a display, it's a dialogue. Visitors are encouraged to meet the makers, hear the inspiration behind each piece, and support homegrown brands. 

This is wearable art, created not for export, but for expression.

If fashion feeds the eye, then food shall nourish the soul. The fair will be a culinary carnival, with rows of tents offering sizzling beef stew, hand-rolled mahewu, wood-fired flatbreads, and modern twists on traditional dishes.

 There will be showcases of fusion pop-ups, and one of the highlighted culinary guests is expected to introduce fairgoers to confectionery, healthy blends and health shots.

Beyond indulgence, the food village is an ode to Eswatini’s agricultural roots. There will be organic stalls, sustainable farming exhibitions, and an entire section dedicated to farm-to-table food systems, reminding attendees that the future of Eswatini’s economy still grows in soil and seed.

What is a celebration without a song ? The Consumer fair has roped in award winning songwriters, performers in Sands and Manana. 

The soulful giants with a voice that melts time, will take to the stage alongside the sultry voiced Khole. 

Their performances, set against the dusky Mbabane skyline, are expected to be nothing short of spiritual. 

Think Farmers market but with percussion and acappella.

Meanwhile behind the glitter and groove is a quietly powerful narrative: economic stimulation through local enterprise. 

Over 150 Swati businesses have registered to exhibit from tech innovators and agro-processors to boutique retailers and craft cooperatives.

The business wing of the fair will feature panel discussions, live pitching competitions, and brand mentorship clinics, all curated to spark momentum for emerging entrepreneurs. 

The initiative is not only a celebration but a strategy, a deliberate move to reroute consumer spending back into local pockets.

According to Melusi ‘Zox’ Dlamini Chairman of A Peculiar People, the brains behind the Made in Eswatini Consumer Fair this event represents more than a one-day affair.

“This is the blueprint for an Eswatini economy that thrives on its own people. We want to teach our children that innovation is not foreign. It is here. It is ours. It is made in Eswatini.” he has said time and again.

Also playing a key role is the Municipal Council of Mbabane, in collaboration with A Peculiar People, a local organization passionate about economic inclusion and youth empowerment. 

Together, they have transformed the fair into a pedestrian-friendly urban experiment, temporarily redesigning city infrastructure to support people over cars, a vision that speaks volumes about what modern Mbabane could become.

A noteworthy partner in the business ecosystem is MTN FinTech, whose MoMo platform will enable cashless transactions throughout the event. This move supports financial inclusion and simplifies trading for smaller vendors.

That the fair coincides with His Majesty’s birthday is no accident. His Majesty King Mswati III has often championed youth-led development, homegrown excellence, and the need for economic diversification.

 The Republic of China (Taiwan), Eswatini’s enduring ally, has sent a high-level delegation in honor of this week’s festivities, further amplifying the fair’s significance.

With thousands of guests in the country for the royal birthday including dignitaries, diaspora, and diaspora entrepreneurs the Made in Eswatini Consumer Fair is perfectly timed to showcase the kingdom’s heartbeat beyond its palaces: the creativity of its people.

As Friday dawns and Dr. Sishayi Road breathes in a different rhythm, one thing is certain Eswatini is no longer whispering. 

She is standing tall, singing boldly, and building locally. This isn’t just a debut. It’s a declaration.Made in Eswatini isn’t a slogan it’s a promise.

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