Manzini, Eswatini – A handshake captured at the Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF) speaks volumes about the event’s purpose: building bridges for a more integrated and prosperous Southern Africa. The photo shows Nonhlanhla Nkadimeng, the visionary CEO and Founder of Mashudu Tinyiko Consulting, in conversation with Martin Masilela, the Executive Head of Investment Promotion at the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA). This meeting represents a powerful convergence of South African business expertise and Eswatini’s strategic vision for economic development.
Nonhlanhla Nkadimeng, a trailblazer and a finalist for the prestigious Nedbank Top Empowerment Awards 2025, has made a name for herself by transforming businesses and empowering entrepreneurs. As the head of a black-owned, women-led consulting firm, her work focuses on critical areas like financial advisory, project management, and supply chain optimization. Her presence at the EITF, in collaboration with the TECSA Foundation, underscores her commitment to extending her firm’s impact beyond South Africa’s borders. The discussion with Masilela is a clear sign that Mashudu Tinyiko Consulting is not just showcasing its services but actively seeking to contribute to Eswatini’s economic landscape.
Martin Masilela, in his role as a key figure at the EIPA, is tasked with attracting and facilitating foreign direct investment (FDI) into Eswatini. His engagement with a high-profile business leader like Nkadimeng highlights the EIPA’s proactive approach to identifying and nurturing potential investment and trade partnerships. Eswatini has a clear ambition to position itself as a premier investment destination, and forging direct relationships with influential South African firms is a crucial step in that strategy.
The meeting between Nkadimeng and Masilela symbolizes the essence of the trade fair itself. It is a space where strategic conversations happen, where private sector innovation meets public sector policy, and where collaborative efforts are initiated to drive job creation and sustainable growth. This handshake is more than a greeting; it’s a testament to a shared regional vision and the practical steps being taken to achieve it.