MBABANE – Four women entrepreneurs have each received E2,000 in seed funding from Women Unlimited to support the growth and sustainability of their small businesses.
The handover ceremony, held in Mbabane, was part of the organisation’s “Family Foundations” initiative, which aims to build stable and resilient households through economic empowerment. The recipients, selected based on their business potential and community impact, expressed gratitude for what was described as “safe capital” — funds that come without repayment pressure.
One of the beneficiaries, Senele Makhubu, said the support would help her take her business to the next level. “This gift is going to help us sustain and further grow our businesses. Thank you for believing in us,” she said.
The event was attended by Amanda Rodriguez, a recent graduate from Point Loma Nazarene University in California, who interned with Women Unlimited. Amanda played a pivotal role in securing the donation through her U.S. network, representing a sponsor named Alejandra.
Sharing her own experience as a second-generation survivor of human trafficking, Amanda spoke candidly about how her mother’s courage paved the way for her advocacy work. “My mom ran so I could walk,” she told attendees.
Amanda now leads Free Brands, a nonprofit in the United States focused on helping survivors of gender-based violence start businesses. One of the group’s first projects is a national directory that will list survivor-owned businesses and promote them in the American market.
She expressed interest in partnering with Women Unlimited again, saying economic empowerment offers survivors a path beyond survival. “When women are no longer in survival mode, they thrive, innovate, and lead,” she said.
The Executive Director of Women Unlimited praised Amanda for her commitment and personal sacrifice in travelling to Eswatini to support the programme. “She didn’t just applaud us from afar. She sponsored herself to come here and support this cause. That’s solidarity in action,” she said.
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