By 
By Lwazi Dlamini
The cooperative sector in Eswatini is making significant progress and setting an example in the Southern African region, having amassed an impressive E3 billion in savings.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, during the welcome dinner for the DGRV Eswatini Exposure visit held at the Hilton Garden Inn on Monday.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am thrilled to share with you that our cooperative sector has achieved incredible savings of E3 billion, supported by a total membership of 90,000, which greatly contributes to our nation’s economy,” Khumalo stated.
Khumalo informed the South African guests that they were in the right place for cooperative education.
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“During your visit, you will gain valuable insights from cooperative leaders, educators, and members, including youth cooperatives. You will see the efforts being made to honour our culture while also embracing advancements in democratic, member-driven businesses,” Khumalo explained.
He encouraged the visitors to appreciate not only the successes of the cooperatives but also to understand the various challenges, mistakes, and obstacles they had to overcome to achieve their current status. “In the cooperative business, we learn and grow every day.
While success may be visually appealing, it often hides the missteps and adjustments that contributed to that outcome,” Khumalo emphasized.
Khumalo acknowledged the National Cooperative Federation of Eswatini (NCFE) for its significant role in the development of the cooperative sector in the Kingdom.
The NCFE is an organization formed by three apex bodies: the Eswatini Association of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (ESASCCO), the Eswatini Multipurpose Cooperative Union (ESWAMCU), and the Eswatini National Youth Cooperative Alliance (ESNYCA). NCFE advocates for the interests and welfare of cooperatives at all levels.
“It is both an honour and a privilege to be with you this evening as you embark on what promises to be an enriching and transformative learning journey in our beautiful kingdom.
Your presence here highlights the importance of cross-cultural exchange and our shared commitment to learning, growing, and trading together. We are thrilled to welcome you and share this unique experience,” Khumalo remarked.
He praised the contributions of DGRV and the strong partnership established with the cooperatives and, particularly, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade.
“While I cannot welcome Veit and Dr Ntuli as if they were in their second home, I must acknowledge them and all the DGRV staff for organizing yet another visit to our country.
This reflects a strong confidence in our cooperative movement, which DGRV, represented locally by Mr Nene, continues to support and nurture. Mr. Veit, we look forward to a long-term partnership that will elevate our cooperative sector to new heights,” the Minister stated.
As the Ministry responsible for Cooperative Development, Khumalo assured that they would continue to take all necessary steps for the sector’s success.
“We are committed to continuous learning from other countries within our region, continent, and beyond. We appreciate DGRV for facilitating three exposure visits to Germany for our cooperatives and officials, including those from the youth sector.
We anticipate similar opportunities in the future as we continue to learn and grow,” he added.
The Minister expressed his vision for emaSwati to one day have their own Bank of Cooperatives.
“Success often comes with challenges. If it did not, the late Nelson Mandela would not have said, ‘It always seems impossible until it is done.’ To achieve success, you must overcome your feelings and persevere through tough times.
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Initially, everyone is enthusiastic and works diligently, but midway, many tend to give up when motivation wanes. Success is rooted in hard work and resilience,” Khumalo remarked.
He emphasized that the government’s role is to create a supportive environment for all types of businesses to thrive, with a special emphasis on cooperatives.
“Part of this strategy involves enabling international organizations like DGRV to establish offices in our country and provide cooperatives with access to the support these programs can offer.
You may wonder, why are cooperatives important. The answer is straightforward: cooperatives can effectively address some of the most pressing issues we face today, from socioeconomic inequality and unemployment to environmental sustainability.
They are a powerful means for economic empowerment, social cohesion, and sustainable development, demonstrating resilience even in times of crisis,” he concluded.
