Eco Eagle scoops JA African Company of the Year Award again

Stories by Kwanele Dhladhla

The group of Lusoti High School pupils outsmarted 22 companies from 17 African countries to emerge the winners of the schools entrepreneurial programme for the second time.
This was announced on Saturday afternoon during the closing event of the African competition which was held in Accra, Ghana, last week. In 2010 Lusoti High School also won both the local and African competition.
The team snatched two prizes namely; JA Company of the Year Award and FedEx Access Award along with $500 dollars each as cash prizes.
The FedEx Award was presented to Lusoti for the first time since inception of the JA schools programme. It honors innovative, environmentally friendly projects and promotes access to information among the in-school youth.
The evidently ecstatic group of five pupils who competed during the African competition could not hide their excitement upon arrival at the Matsapha International Airport.
Hugs and kisses were the order of the day, as they were welcomed by the School Principal Thamsanqa Masuku, JA Board Chairperson Nokukhanya Gamedze, and RSSC management representative among other well wishers. One could not be mistaken of their (Lusoti pupils) identity as the group carried their trophies and donned their medals.
endeavour
Inspired by a mathematics teacher with a drive to succeed in the business endeavour, the Lusoti High School form four pupils pioneered an eco-organic modern scientific method of producing vegetables without soil as a medium and without any synthetic fertiliser or pesticide.
In only 11 weeks of operation, the pupils distributed over 2 000 heads of broccoli, lettuce and cauliflower, to local supermarkets, country clubs and hotels to snatch the best prize of JA.
JA Executive Director Jean Mwenda said: “From the beginning of the competition, the Lusoti team was exceptional; hence it comes as no surprise that they won the African competition for the second time with ease. This shows that nothing defeats dedication and commitment if you want to succeed”.
Lusoti High School Principal Thamsanqa Masuku said: “I cannot believe they have won it again. I think they deserve to be given special thanks, though I may not be certain what we will do for them at the moment”.
Masuku also thanked RSSC and all JA sponsors for supporting the programme, and further urged them to continue in future years.
JA Board Chairperson Nokukhanya Gamedze also hailed the Lusoti team as true heroes.
“This should come as an eye opener that indeed the Swazi youth are talented, gifted and innovative, hence I think even the government will realise the importance of the programme since it has become evident that Swazi youth are ready to revive the ailing economy the soonest,” said Gamedze.
The pupils also donated 10 new full uniforms for girls and 10 new full boys’ uniforms to the school.

Competition was tough – CEO

“As promised during our last interview before departure, we have done just that despite all challenges faced during the contest”.
These were the words of Eco Eagle Junior Achievement Lusoti High School Company CEO Fisiwe Mhlanga, during an interview at the Matsapha International Airport upon arrival yesterday, while she held the trophy on the left hand.
During an interview last week, before departure to the regional competition in Ghana, Mhlanga promised that they would do their best to win the award again.
Before departure during the company’s liquidation event held at the Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation (RSSC) boardroom Mhlanga said:
“We are ready to hoist the Swazi flag high and showcase pure innovative Swazi talent. We will impart the skills acquired from our brilliant teacher, innovative RSSC management which has always given us full support throughout the competition and guidance of the JA staff to snatch the prize for the second consecutive time,” she said.
However, after winning the prize, Mhlanga had this to say: “The competition was tough, but we managed to come out tops because of our unity, confidence and dedication to become the best”.
Mhlanga, who has zeal to prosper in business by pursuing a career in agro-economics, also won the Best CEO prize during the local JA expo that was held at the Divine Healing Ministries a month ago.
To attest to her dedication and god leadership, under her control the team made over E21 000 (total revenue) while each member walked away with E72 in dividends.
Lusoti High School teacher and JA facilitator Titus Sithole also attested that competition was tough and attributed their success to the support locally from RSSC, JA, government and the entire nation.
“We could have not won the competition without the valuable support, we have received from the entire nation. The competition was tough and one could see that all countries gave themselves enough time to rehearse but our team displayed strong confidence when they made their presentation. At times we feared that Botswana would win the award since they were equally competitive, but the 10 minute session where each team member answered questions posed by the judges made us head and shoulders above the rest,” said Sithole.