MALKERNS – World Vision Eswatini has revealed that proceeds from this year’s Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival are directly empowering beekeepers in Lobamba Lomdzala under a growing community livelihoods programme.
Over the weekend, the humanitarian organisation took part in the annual festival at House on Fire, using the platform to engage the public on its work in rural development and food sustainability. The three-day event wrapped up yesterday, Sunday, with thousands of visitors interacting with various exhibitors, including World Vision.
Speaking during a panel session at the festival’s Food Indaba on Thursday, World Vision’s Livelihoods Technical Programme Manager Mpendulo Simelane shared insights on indigenous food sustainability. He detailed how the organisation is working with local farmers, especially beekeepers, to support economic empowerment under the theme Seed Capital – Investing in the Farm-to-Fork Future.
Simelane explained that the initiative is backed by Standard Bank Luju’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme, which has so far funded over 150 beehives for the Lobamba Lomdzala community. Another 125 hives are expected to be delivered soon.
During the official launch of this year’s festival, World Vision Eswatini was handed a cheque worth E148,490 by the festival organisers. The funds are part of the bank’s CSR efforts and are earmarked for the continued development of the beekeeping initiative, which supports dozens of families in the region.
World Vision’s stall at the festival drew interest from festival goers, with children participating in games and educational activities about agriculture and rural transformation. Staff members spent all three days engaging visitors on how each Luju ticket purchased contributes to transforming lives.
“For every ticket sold, a portion goes directly towards helping communities like Lobamba Lomdzala,” said one team member on Saturday. “It’s a practical way for people to enjoy culture and food while giving back.”
World Vision described the partnership with Standard Bank as an example of how collaborative efforts between corporates and civil society can bring sustainable change to the country’s rural communities.
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