By Delisa Thwala
Eswatini stands to gain the attention of potential investors, who might see the country as a destination for investment opportunities. This could result in the growth of local businesses and the economy.
This comes after Entrepreneur, Communication Strategist and Influencer was handpicked to be the face of Forbes Woman Africa Summit set to take place in March 2025.
The Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit is an event that brings together the who’s who of female leadership on the continent and beyond from the world of business, politics, art, sports, civil society and life;
a unique collection of female trailblazers who are distinct in their thinking but single-minded in their purpose all for a new, equal and thriving world.
Since its inception, the Woman Forbes Leading Women Summit has honored International Women’s Day on March 8 as an annual celebration commemorating the achievements and resilience of women across Africa and the world.
In 2025, the Summit will be presented live on March 5 at Time Square, Pretoria, South Africa.
When evaluating and sharing expertise on this pivotal moment in Thwala’s career, Economist and Lecturer at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) Sipho Sibanyoni said, Zindzi Thwala being made the face of the summit was highly beneficial for the country at large.
He said, there will be Increased tourism if Thwala positively markets Eswatini, it could attract more tourists to the country, boosting the tourism industry and bringing in foreign currency.
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Explaining further he said there will also be increased investment in terms of Thwala being a face of the summit.
“Exposure to investors. The influencer’s presence at the Forbes Africa Summit puts Eswatini in the spotlight. Potential investors, who may not have previously considered Eswatini, might be intrigued by the influencer’s success and start exploring investment opportunities in the country,” said Sibanyoni.
In addition, he said, Thwala as an Influencer she will get endorsement if she speaks positively about Eswatini’s business climate or specific industries, it can create a positive image of the country in the minds of investors.
“This will give us a credibility boost. The fact that an influencer from Eswatini was chosen to represent the country at such a prestigious event adds credibility to the country’s investment potential.
It signals to potential investors that Eswatini is on the radar of influential and successful individuals,” he said.
Adding that, this was a networking opportunity, in that by attending the summit and representing Eswatini, the influencer is likely to network with entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders from across Africa.
“These connections could lead to future partnerships or investments in Eswatini,” he said.
Elaborating further, Sibanyoni said, this move by Forbes will act as an Inspiration for local entrepreneurs by highlighting the success of a local influencer, the Forbes Africa Summit could inspire other entrepreneurs and businesspeople in Eswatini.
He said it could lead to the creation of new ventures, inspiring more innovation and job creation within the country.
When speaking on her new gig, as the Forbes Ambassador Zindzi Thwala said she was excited for this opportunity. Speaking through a series of instagram stories, Thwala said she was still processing the news.
“I’m just happy that Eswatini is being chosen in such spaces, it is not even about me being chosen but the country being finally recognised in other countries especially in the influencing space,” said Thwala.
She further said, this gig will open a lot of opportunities, and she was looking forward to them.
Worth noting is that Forbes Africa is a business media brand that provides in-depth analysis and commentary on African business and finance.
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It is a licensed extension of the global Forbes media company. They provide insights into business, entrepreneurship, and innovation in Africa, highlights local success stories, challenges, and opportunities
Forbes Africa also celebrates African achievement and inspires future entrepreneurs. Maintains a global perspective while focusing on Africa’s unique position in the world economy.
Also worth mentioning is that this 10th edition will be a showcase of the best of the best of their award-winning editorial content.
Attracting top-tier, A-list speakers from global billionaires to Hollywood celebrities, Olympian sports stars, corporate titans and Grammy-winning artists the summit will comprise curated conversations and content that touch on the engaging topics and trends of the day and beyond.
The event will be a blockbuster production, which, from the drawing board to the live stage, will resonate with decibels across multiple platforms.
As they look to the next 10 years, they will meet the next cadre of leadership, from the forefront to the future, unraveling their new discourse and playbook.
Thwala has dared Eswatini, and her followers to get set for conversations that will change ideas and innovations into revolutionary action.
Indeed, Zindzi Thwala’s experience and resume in the industry reads like a Forbes Catalogue. She has worked with organizations like Oracle, Swazi Plaza, Puma Filling Station, MTN Eswatini, Logico and Brutal Fruit among many others.
