It was a day of celebration, inspiration and well-deserved recognition as Eswatini Sugar, hosted the Annual Smallholder Sugarcane Growers’ Competition 2025 on Friday October 3, 2025, at Phum’lamcashi.
The event brought together outstanding smallholder sugarcane farmers from across the kingdom, who were honoured for their hard work, resilience and commitment to excellence, walking away with prizes worth a total of E820 383.36.
The competition, which celebrates top-performing growers under different categories, Eswatini Nation Land (ENL), Vuvulane, Title Deed Land (TDL) and the Most Consistent Grower Award, showcased the best of Eswatini’s sugarcane talent.
Honouring the 2025 Champions
Leading the pack under the ENL category was Ngcongco (Pty) Limited from Big Bend, who were crowned champions and walked away with E66 876.24 and a brand-new laptop.
In the Vuvulane category, Mcwasho Mngomezulu from Mhlume emerged victorious, taking home E19 218.37 and a laptop.
TDL, Thandi Qwabe from Simunye earned first place, also receiving E19 218.37 and a laptop for her exceptional performance.
Recognising long-term dedication, the Most Consistent Grower Award celebrated farmers who have consistently ranked among the top 10 over the years.
Taking first position was Buhle Besive Multipurpose Co-operative from Mhlume under ENL, walking away with E35 000.
Baobab Farm from Mhlume under TDL took second place and E25 000, while Nomsa Magagula under Vuvulane secured third position, also receiving E25 000.
Minister for Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka, commended the growers for their perseverance and excellence, noting that their achievements stood as a beacon of hope and proof of what commitment can achieve in the face of adversity.
“Your dedication, determination and willingness to learn have brought you to this level of excellence,” said Minister Tshawuka. “Despite challenges such as climate change, rising input costs and limited resources, you have shown that success is possible through discipline and teamwork.”
Pillar of the nation’s economy
The minister highlighted the critical role smallholder sugarcane growers play in the country’s economy, contributing not only to rural livelihoods, but also to national growth and job creation. “As a community of smallholder growers, what you do is important and appreciated. You create jobs, improve livelihoods and contribute significantly to economic growth in our kingdom,” he noted.
Having spent 36 years in the sugar industry, the minister shared his deep understanding of the sector’s multiplier effect, which extends into areas such as ethanol production, logistics, mechanisation, banking and construction industries that thrive because of the backbone provided by sugarcane farming.
Addressing industry challenges
While celebrating success, the minister did not shy away from addressing the ‘elephants in the room.’ He called for greater efforts in product diversification and value addition, urging the industry to go beyond sugar and molasses by exploring high-value products that can be derived from sugar.
He also encouraged unity and transparency among farmer associations, citing mismanagement and internal disputes as key threats to sustainability.
“Conflicts and lack of corporate governance erode trust and productivity,” he cautioned. “We need accountability and a shared purpose if we are to secure the future of this industry.”
Land disputes, he added, remain another challenge threatening the sustainability of some schemes. He appealed to traditional leaders to help resolve these disputes swiftly to prevent productive farms from being abandoned.
Government’s commitment and future outlook
Tshawuka reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting the sugar industry through large-scale water projects that ensure reliable irrigation for farmers. Among these are the LUSIP II Project, the Mkhondvo-Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Project (MNWAP) in Shiselweni and other planned dams in strategic areas.
“Our commitment is clear, we are investing in infrastructure that secures water for farmers and strengthens the future of sugarcane production in Eswatini,” he stated.
Shared vision for growth
In closing, the minister commended all participating growers, financial institutions and industry partners for their continued collaboration in strengthening Eswatini’s sugar industry.
“To the winners today, we say congratulations once again and to the rest of the contestants, your participation is equally valued. There can be no winners without competitors,” said Tshawuka.
“Let us continue working together to ensure that the sugar industry in Eswatini, the real Eswatini Gold, grows from strength to strength.”
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