Ezulwini – Local professional golfers will compete for an additional E225 000 in performance bonuses at this year’s King’s Cup after organizers unveiled a new incentive package aimed at accelerating the development of Eswatini’s golfing talent.
Tourism and Environmental Affairs Minister Jane Mkhonta- Simelane announced the incentives during the launch of the 2026 King’s Cup at Ezulwini Golf and Country Club Friday, saying the rewards were intended to help local professionals compete at a higher level while strengthening the country’s presence in regional golf.
Under the package, the best-performing emaSwati professionals will receive bonuses of E100 000, E75 000 and E50 000 for first, second and third place respectively, over and above the tournament prize money.
The incentives form part of a broader investment that also includes a E700 000 professional prize purse, making this year’s tournament one of the richest on the regional golfing calendar.
In addition, organisers have introduced bonuses for top transformational players from neighbouring African countries, with prizes of E20 000, E15 000 and E5 000, while a further E35 000 has been earmarked for the leading amateurs competing in the Pro-Am event.
Mkhonta- Simelane said the financial incentives reflected government’s commitment to developing the sport rather than simply rewarding winners.
“These incentives are more than prize money. They represent an investment in talent development, creating opportunities for golfers to compete at higher levels while strengthening Eswatini’s presence within the professional golfing fraternity,” she said.
She said this year’s tournament had also secured a strategic partnership with the Big Easy Tour, a development circuit within the Sunshine Tour family, a move expected to expose local golfers to stronger competition while elevating the King’s Cup onto the regional professional calendar.
The partnership will also see highlights of the tournament broadcast on SuperSport, giving Eswatini international exposure and promoting the country’s tourism offering to audiences across Africa.
Mkhonta – Simelane said the tournament was increasingly becoming a platform for sports development, tourism promotion and investment, adding that such partnerships strengthened Eswatini’s national brand and inspired confidence among investors and visitors.
The 2026 King’s Cup will be held at Ezulwini Golf and Country Club from September 1 to 5, with the Pro-Am taking place on September 1 and 2 before the championship rounds from September 3 to 5.
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