EZULWINI- As the slogan for the Imbube Marathon goes; ‘Push Your Limits’, several companies yesterday pushed their limits and made public their support for this country’s premier athletics event.
This happened yesterday during the official launch of partnerships and sponsorships organised by the main organiser of the race, Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF). This event was held at Happy Valley Hotel and Casino, where it was attended by the Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima. However, Nzima was represented by the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Makhosini Mndawe, alongside ENPF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Futhi Tembe.
The eighth edition received sponsorships in terms of cash and in-kind. These sponsorships were disclosed by the minister, who said the eight entities contributed E790 000 in direct financial sponsorships.
Leading the pack was Standard Bank with a cash sponsorship of E440 000, while Old Mutual and Ubombo Sugar Limited each injected E100 000. Unifoods has pumped in E55 000, while E50 000 came from Industrial Development Company of Eswatini (IDCE).
put in E20 000, with Lactalis Eswatini and Balondolozi putting in E15 000 and E10 000, respectively.
“Equally important are the organisations that have partnered with us through products and specialised services. Each of these partnerships strengthens the quality and experience of the Imbube Marathon,’’ the minister further said.
They include Coca-Cola Beverages Eswatini, who presented a replica cheque of E298 058.68. They are a hydration partner for the October 17 race. Another company, among many, that injected some cash in form of in-kind was Paratus Eswatini, who shall provide connectivity to support the timing of the race and communication to the value of E90 000. Other companies also showed up for water point sponsorships.
Furthermore, the minister announced that they are looking to celebrate the 10th edition of this annual race with a record crowd of 10 000 participants, as the numbers keep swelling with each edition. The minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs further disclosed that this week, a single running club from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa said they will be bringing 120 athletes to participate in this year’s marathon.
CEO Tembe said the race debuted with just around 2 500 runners in 2026, and this year, the target is set at 7 500 runners after just over 5 000 last year.
With a week left to go for early bird registration, the minister urged runners to grab the chance and register to avoid late registration penalties. On another note, ENPF thanked all corporate partners for their support.
“An event like this doesn’t run on enthusiasm alone. It runs on investment, on trust, and on a shared belief that sport has the power to transform communities. The corporate partners who have stepped forward this year have demonstrated exactly that kind of belief,’’ Tembe said.
IMBUBE MARATHON SPONSORS
Some cash sponsors:
Standard Bank – E440 000
Old Mutual Eswatini – E100 000
Ubombo Sugar Limited – E100 000
Unifoods – E55 000
Industrial Development Company of Eswatini (IDCE) – E50 000
Spar Eswatini – E20 000
Balondolozi – E10 000
Lactalis Eswatini – E15 000
Total: – E790 000
Some product and service partners:
Coca-Cola Beverages – E290 000.
Lactalis Eswatini – E25 000
Spar Buy & Save – E50 000
Umbuluzi Chicken – E10 000
Build it – E10 000
Paratus Eswatini – E90 000
Runners vehicles:
42km – Mbabane Motors (Isuzu)
21km – Autofin Investments (Ford)
10km – Autofin Investments (Kia)
3.3km – NTT Toyota
Eswatini Television Broadcasting Services
Eswatini Tourism Authority
Eswatini Wire
Eco Manzini Solutions
Some waterpoints sponsors:
FNB Eswatini
Inhlonhla
Stanlib Eswatini
Old Mutual Eswatini
Happy Valley Hotel and Casino
Oracle
Ncedze
FSRA
SNG Grant Thornton
African Alliance Group
Tisuka TakaNgwane
Eswatini Mobile
ESRIC
ENHB
Clover Eswatini
Finsure Insurance
Key details:
Official race date: October 17, 2026
Race venue: Somhlolo National Stadium
Registration deadline for early bird: July 30, 2026
Online registration: www.imbubemarathon.com
In-person registration: Any ENPF branch
Official qualifiers: Comrades Marathon and Two Oceans Marathon
Registration fees by category:
42km: E365 (Local) | E500 (SADC) | US$45 (International)
21km: E335 (Local) | E450 (SADC) | US$40 (International)
10km: E310 (Local) | E400 (SADC) | US$35 (International)
3.3km: FREE (Reserved for athletes with disabilities and elderly Eswatini athletes over 60 yrs)
