By: Nkosiyabusa Nsibande
Old Mutual Eswatini has reinforced its commitment to youth development and education through a E50,000 sponsorship towards the Eswatini Schools Choral Competition, a contribution that organisers say will strengthen sustaining one of the country’s most important platforms for nurturing artistic talent among learners.
The sponsorship reflects a growing recognition within the corporate sector that investment in education extends beyond traditional classroom support and includes creating opportunities for young people to develop skills, confidence, and talents that can contribute to their future economic participation. At a time when businesses are increasingly expected to demonstrate measurable social impact, partnerships between corporates and educational institutions are becoming an important component of long-term human capital development strategies.
Speaking during the cheque handover ceremony, Old Mutual Eswatini Chief Executive Officer Muzi Bell said the sponsorship aligns with the company’s broader investment priorities, particularly in the education sector. He emphasised that talent development forms an integral part of education and therefore deserves support from institutions committed to building future generations.
“Education is one of the areas in which we invest, and building talent is also part of education, which is what brings us together,” said Bell.
He noted Old Mutual views itself as more than a financial services provider, describing the organization as a responsible corporate citizen that seeks to contribute to national development. Bell said the sponsorship shows the company’s willingness to support the growth of the competition beyond the current year and lays the foundation for a longer-term partnership.
“We are a very responsible corporate citizen in Eswatini. I am pleased to present this cheque, which also shows what we are willing to do for the Eswatini Schools Choral Competition in 2027. This is the beginning of a great relationship between these two entities,” he said.
The investment comes at a time when financial institutions are increasingly directing corporate social investment budgets towards programmes that promote youth empowerment and skills development. While artistic programmes are often viewed primarily through a cultural lens, they also contribute to the development of soft skills such as discipline, teamwork, communication and leadership, qualities that are increasingly valued within the modern labour market.
For the Eswatini Schools Choral Competition Association, the sponsorship provides both financial support and strategic partnership opportunities. The organization has continued to expand its footprint across the country’s regions while seeking sustainable funding sources to support competition logistics, talent development programs, and learned participation.
Chairperson of the Eswatini Schools Choral Competition Association, Sithembiso Dlamini, expressed appreciation for the support, noting that the sponsorship was secured despite the association approaching the company later than expected.
“We are truly grateful for the sponsorship by Old Mutual. Although we approached Old Mutual very late, we are, however, happy that we finally got the sponsorship, and E50,000 is a lot of money,” said Dlamini.
He described Old Mutual as a longstanding supporter of the competition and showed that the association intends to leverage the partnership to promote financial literacy among learners, an area that aligns with the insurer’s broader social investment objectives.
“Old Mutual has always been a great partner with the Choral Competition. As an association, we would like to thank the Old Mutual for this opportunity. We would like to take Old Mutual to the regions as a great sponsor and also encourage financial literacy among learners as Old Mutual pushes that agenda,” he said.
Beyond the immediate financial contribution, the partnership highlights the increasing convergence between corporate social investment and financial education initiatives. As financial institutions seek to cultivate financially aware future consumers while contributing to national development priorities, schools continue to provide an important platform through which they can pursue these objectives. The collaboration between Old Mutual and the Eswatini Schools Choral Competition Association therefore represents more than sponsorship of a cultural event; it signals an investment in youth development, financial awareness and the long-term strengthening of Eswatini’s human capital base.
