EZULWINI – A decade ago, Dumsile Simelane was operating with just three machines and a dream to turn her passion for fashion into a thriving leather manufacturing business.
Yesterday morning, that journey came full circle when she was crowned the 2026 Hhohho Regional Entrepreneur of the Year, a recognition that reflects not only her perseverance but the remarkable transformation of Melane Leather into an internationally recognised Eswatini brand.
The Lobamba-based entrepreneur received the prestigious accolade from Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo during the Hhohho Regional Entrepreneur of the Year Awards held at SibaneSami Hotel under the theme ‘20 Years of Nurturing Future Growth.’ The award recognises businesses that have demonstrated exceptional growth, innovation, sustainability and contribution to the country’s economic development.
expansion
For Melane Leather, the recognition was built on a decade of consistent expansion, international market penetration and job creation. Established in 2016, Melane Leather is a 100 per cent Swati woman-owned leather crafting company specialising in premium leather products ranging from corporate laptop bags and handbags to customised leather accessories and other handcrafted products.
What started as a sole proprietorship has steadily evolved into a growing manufacturing enterprise employing three emaSwati while exporting locally crafted leather products to international markets including Taiwan, Malaysia, Mauritius and Dubai, among others. The business has also attained ISO international standards accreditation, positioning its products to compete confidently in global markets while demonstrating compliance with internationally recognised quality management systems.
Journey
For Simelane, the recognition represented much more than another trophy. Moments after her name was announced as the regional winner, the entrepreneur became visibly emotional as she walked to the stage to receive her award, reflecting on a journey characterised by sacrifice, resilience and continuous learning. “I am a fashion designer by profession,” she told the media after receiving the award. “Before establishing Melane Leather in 2016, I was working as a fashion designer, but I made the difficult decision to stop and focus entirely on building this business.” She recalled that in the early years, the business operated with only three production machines and limited capacity. “Back then, we only had three machines producing leather products. Today, we have five machines, a fully operational workshop and our own retail shop at Swati Candles,” she said.The entrepreneur said every milestone had been achieved through persistence and the willingness to continuously improve her products and business systems. She acknowledged that the company’s growth had been made possible through strategic partnerships with institutions committed to developing local entrepreneurs.
Simelane expressed gratitude to the Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO) and Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF) for equipping her with business management skills that strengthened the enterprise beyond craftsmanship.
She also thanked the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade together with the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) for facilitating international market access that enabled Melane Leather to showcase Eswatini products abroad. “Our business would not have reached international markets without the support we have received. We have been empowered not only to manufacture quality products but also to understand how to compete globally,” she said. Yesterday’s victory was not Simelane’s first taste of entrepreneurial recognition. She first won the regional Entrepreneur of the Year title in 2017 before being crowned national winner in the Handcraft Category during the 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Her latest victory demonstrates sustained business growth rather than a once-off achievement.
Over the past decade, Melane Leather has expanded its production capacity, diversified its product offering, strengthened quality assurance systems and successfully entered export markets, all while maintaining local ownership and creating employment opportunities.
