GOLF – FNB Eswatini and the Sunshine Tour have unveiled a record-breaking E2.5 million prize pool for the 2026 FNB Eswatini Challenge.
The package, in which FNB Eswatini and the Sunshine Tour have contributed E2 million and E500 000 respectively, represents a E500 000 increase from last year’s total pool.
This year’s edition of the Challenge was launched by Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima at the Royal Swazi Spa. The main leg of the tournament, to be hosted at Ezulwini Golf and Country Club, will take place between August 11 – 15 and will be preceded by a two-day client Pro-Am in which the bank’s clients and stakeholders will play with selected professional golfers.
Speaking during the launch of the 5th edition of the tournament, Minister Nzima hailed the package as one of the largest single-sports sponsorships in Eswatini.
“I also wish to congratulate you for the milestone we are celebrating here this morning, the launch of the 5th edition of the FNB Eswatini Challenge. In the world of sports, we are well aware of how challenging it is to establish an initiative and sustain it over time. True to your commitment to Eswatini, ‘njengaloku solo nisho kutsini tintile Eswatini futsi aniyindzawo,’ the FNB Eswatini Challenge has stood the test of time. Nayo iFNB Eswatini Challenge itintile. We understand that running a tournament of this magnitude and at this scale consumes resources. But for us to achieve sustainable sport development, we need consistent and sustained investment from players such as FNB Eswatini,” Nzima said.
Nzima further emphasised the role that the competition was playing in supporting golf development in the country. “With over 100 professional players descending on Eswatini from the rest of Africa, South America and Europe, the FNB Eswatini Challenge is now a matter of national importance that deserves all of our support. As has already been mentioned, sport is a big driver of economic growth.”
Meanwhile, FNB Eswatini CEO Thokozani ‘TK’ Dlamini said the bank’s continued investment in local sport was aligned with its commitment to bringing help to all Emaswati.
“FNB Eswatini is here to serve every single Liswati, young and old, rural and urban-based, employed and unemployed, civil servant or privately employed. Lusito lolukhonsile lwemaswati onkhe.
“Through the 2026 FNB Eswatini Challenge, we will bring this promise to life. We remain committed to working together with His Majesty’s government and all stakeholders to help accelerate sustainable economic growth in our kingdom. As a bank, we firmly believe that purposeful investment in sport can help us achieve our shared development goals,” he added.
Meanwhile, the bank also announced partnerships with AD Enterprises, aQuelle, Oracle Group Eswatini, Sgonian Republik and Destiny Events as official partners of the 2026 FNB Eswatini Challenge.
“We sincerely appreciate the support and we laud your role in driving development for our beautiful kingdom. We look forward to collaborating with even more organisations as we bring this year’s Challenge to life,” CEO Dlamini said.
This year’s winner of the Challenge will take home E396 250, with players seeking to follow in the footsteps of an all-South African cast of previous winners, namely Michael Hollick (2025); Daniel Van Tonder (2024); Peter Karmis (2023) and Jaco Prinsloo (2022).
The competition will tee-off with local pre-qualifiers to be held at Ezulwini Golf and Country Club on July 16 to 18. From these, 12 local golfers will qualify for the main tournament to be held in August.
Yesterday’s launch was also attended by Eswatini Sport and Recreation Council CEO Darius Dlomo, Eswatini Tourism Authority CEO Vusi Dlamini, as well as representatives from the Eswatini Professional Golfers Association (EPGA), among others.
The Challenge, a golfing tournament on the Sunshine Tour calendar, attracts both local and international golf professionals from South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Greece and Korea to name a few.
