More than 50 years after first opening its doors in the kingdom, Eswatini Beverages has been crowned the country’s most tax-compliant taxpayer, emerging as the biggest winner at this year’s Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) Client Appreciation Awards.
The manufacturing giant walked away with the evening’s highest honour after being named the Overall Highest Compliant Contributor, an award reserved for the taxpayer that has consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment to tax compliance while setting the benchmark for responsible corporate citizenship.
Presenting the night’s most prestigious accolade during a glittering ceremony held at Happy Valley Hotel on Friday, ERS Commissioner General Brightwell Nkambule described the award as the ultimate recognition of a taxpayer whose conduct embodies the partnership the revenue authority seeks to build with the country’s business community.
“I would like to introduce the final and highest recognition of the evening, the Overall Highest Compliant Contributor,” Nkambule announced.
“This award recognises exceptional contribution, consistency and commitment to compliance. It celebrates a client whose conduct reflects the spirit of partnership between ERS and the business community,” he added.
The announcement drew one of the loudest ovations of the evening as Eswatini Beverages Country Director Doreen Tumureebire made her way to the stage, visibly emotional while accepting the award.
“I am still shaking,” she admitted moments after receiving the trophy. “On behalf of Eswatini Beverages, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Eswatini Revenue Service for this esteemed recognition. We are deeply honoured to receive this award,” she stated.
Tumureebire said the recognition represented far more than tax compliance.
Instead, she said, it affirmed a corporate culture built over decades around accountability, responsible business conduct and contributing positively to the kingdom’s economy.
“We have been in this business for more than 50 years and we proudly operate as one of the country’s oldest manufacturing companies. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the Kingdom of Eswatini, its people and the communities we serve,” she said, adding that while the company was best known for its products, its greatest contribution extended far beyond the factory floor.
“Beyond the products we make, our greatest contribution is through the value chain that supports suppliers, distributors, retailers and thousands of livelihoods across the country.
“Together we help create opportunities, strengthen local enterprises and contribute meaningfully to national growth.”
Tumureebire attributed the company’s consistent tax compliance to what she described as a deeply embedded culture of accountability rather than a simple financial obligation.
She said the award belonged to every employee, customer and business partner who had helped build that culture over many years.
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our employees, the trust of our customers and partners, as well as our commitment to being a responsible business that practises compliance and good corporate citizenship,” she explained.
Tumureebire said responsible businesses should never underestimate the role tax compliance plays in national development, encouraging other companies to maintain compliance not only when it is convenient but as an everyday business principle.
“We are proud to play our part in bringing people together, building a better future and contributing to a thriving and sustainable economy,” she stated.
She reserved special appreciation for the company’s finance team, singling out Financial Lead Zwelonke for helping ensure Eswatini Beverages consistently met its obligations to the revenue authority.
The annual ERS Client Appreciation Awards recognise taxpayers across a wide range of economic sectors for consistently meeting their tax obligations while maintaining high standards of governance, transparency and financial discipline.
Among this year’s sector winners was Stefanutti Stocks Construction Swaziland, which received the award for the most compliant taxpayer in the large construction category.
Other large-company winners included Swazi MTN in Information and Communication, First National Bank of Swaziland in Financial and Insurance Services, Tambankulu Estates in Agriculture, SNG Grant Thornton in Professional Services, Southern Star Logistics in Transportation and Storage, Siyembili Motors in Wholesale and Retail, Limkokwing University in Education, Health and Social Work and Overborder Investments in Other Services.
The awards also recognised DHL as the country’s most compliant clearing agent, while businesses across manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, property, construction and professional services were honoured in the medium and small enterprise categories.
Friday’s ceremony brought together some of the country’s leading captains of industry as well as Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg, South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu, senior government officials and representatives from the wider business community.
