Swazi Secrets scoops top global award
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Swazi Secrets, a women empowerment consortium company initiated by Her Majesty the Indlovukazi has scooped top honours at the ongoing World summit on Sustainable development in Brazil.
Swazi secrets received the top prize on women empowerment at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Equator Prize for Sustainable Development event on Wednesday evening.
The company, which produces beauty products from marula, was one of 816 entries from 66 countries judged in various categories that promote environmentally friendly income generation projects in communities around the world.
The award comes with a US$20 000 prize which is about E140 000. Worth noting is that the project was nominated by a German client who distributes the product in Europe.
Swazi Secrets was nominated for the women empowerment award for empowering the 2 400 Swazi women involved in the project who are also shareholders of the company.
The award was received by Sindile Mamba, the company’s marketing officer at a well attended function where the minister for economic Planning and Development Prince Hlangu-semphi represented His Majesty the King. Mamba could not contain the excitement and paid special tribute to her majesty the Indlovukazi for pioneering women empowerment activities in Swaziland which are now reaping results due to the recognition by the international community.
The event was held alongside a welcome reception for heads of state and government where His Majesty the King was in attendance.
The world leaders are in Brazil with the aim of reaching consensus on the Common Vision around Climate Change issues. The conference ends today (Friday) and His Majesty, who is accompanied by Inkhosikati LaMasango, is expected back home on Monday morning.
Credit must go to the Queen mother, who has spearheaded several women empowerment initiatives, was instrumental in the establishment of the marula product manufacturing project in the Lubombo region. A company, Swazi Secrets, was formed to run the project and it has continued to grow much to the benefit of about 2 400 women who now earn a living from its success. On Wednesday night, Her Maje-sty’s vision was well rewarded.
There were top 25 and top 10 prizes up for grabs and Swazi Secrets was announced winner of the women empowerment category as well as one of the top 25 winners.
This unfolded at the ongoing Rio + 20 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil attended by His Majesty the King.