Twenty Emaswati Employed at New Hungry Lion Branch in Siphofaneni

Siphofaneni, Eswatini — A wave of local economic upliftment has swept through Siphofaneni following the official opening of a new Hungry Lion franchise, which has already employed twenty Emaswati. The announcement was made by the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Hon. Manqoba Khumalo, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked the fast-food chain’s expansion into the region.

Key Highlights:

• 20 new jobs created for locals, with a focus on youth employment.
• Hungry Lion committed to training and hiring local staff.
• Local sourcing of products to strengthen domestic supply chains.
• Minister Khumalo emphasized the importance of business alliances and community empowerment.
• Ceremony followed by a visit to Mushumpula Care Point, where food parcels were donated to local children.

Minister Khumalo Applauds Local Economic Contributions

“New investments in the country create jobs and contribute to economic growth,” stated Minister Khumalo. “I have been informed that Hungry Lion has committed to hiring and training local staff which will create valuable employment opportunities, particularly for the youth of this community and surrounding areas.”

He further urged local companies to take advantage of business linkages by supplying quality inputs to the new store—an approach that reinforces the local value chain and promotes inclusive economic participation.

Hungry Lion’s Local Legacy

The Minister acknowledged Hungry Lion’s longstanding footprint in the Kingdom of Eswatini, dating back to 1999, with Elangeni Food Group’s operations stretching as far back as 1994. Their decision to source meat and other supplies locally not only supports Eswatini producers but also reflects a strong alignment with the government’s push for economic sustainability.

A Call for Corporate Citizenship

“The employment opportunities that have been availed by the business have assisted workers to have a decent life and the ability to provide for their families’ needs,” said Minister Khumalo. “As His Majesty’s Government, we highly appreciate such positive contributions to the economy and urge other businesses to emulate what Hungry Lion has done.”

He concluded by underscoring the critical role the private sector plays in forging alliances within the same value chain to spur development and resilience in the local economy.

Community Outreach

The official opening event was rounded off with a community engagement at Mushumpula Care Point, where Minister Khumalo personally delivered food parcels to children in the area—a gesture highlighting the government’s ongoing commitment to social development alongside economic growth.