FNB Eswatini committed E60,000 to the three highest-placed emaSwati golfers at the FNB Eswatini Challenge, while introducing a Junior Golf Day aimed at increasing access to the sport among young players.
The initiatives formed part of the fifth edition of the Challenge, which concluded at Ezulwini Golf and Country Club on Saturday with Austin Bautista being crowned the 2026 champion.
Brandon-Jude Rennie was the highest-placed emaSwati golfer and received E30,000. Austin Mabaso finished second among the local players and took home E20,000, while Machawe Maziya received E10,000 after finishing third.
FNB Eswatini CEO Thokozani TK Dlamini said the separate prize fund was introduced as part of the bank’s commitment to developing local golf.
“We are proud, once again, to recognise the top three highest-placed emaSwati of this Challenge with their own, separate special fund of E60,000,” Dlamini said.
He said the bank’s ambition was to see local golfers become competitive at regional and international level and confirmed that FNB Eswatini intended to continue supporting that development.
…. Junior programme debuts
The tournament also introduced the inaugural FNB Junior Golf Day, which brought together 30 young emaSwati golfers for an opportunity to learn from and interact with professional golfers participating in the Challenge.
Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima identified the Junior Golf Day as one of the highlights of this year’s tournament, particularly because of its focus on young golfers from rural and underserved communities.
The programme included young participants from communities including Sihhoye, Manjengeni and Ludzeludze.
Nzima thanked FNB Eswatini for responding to Government’s call to broaden participation in the initiative and acknowledged the Eswatini Golfing Union and Sunshine Tour for their role in making the programme possible.
He also thanked the professional golfers who participated, saying their involvement had given the young players an opportunity to learn directly from experienced professionals.
The Junior Golf Day was held alongside a tournament that featured 15 emaSwati golfers and more than 100 international professional golfers.
According to Dlamini, the participation of professional golfers in the junior programme demonstrated their commitment to the development of golf in Eswatini.
He said FNB Eswatini would continue working with Government and other stakeholders to support sustainable economic growth through sport.
The local prize fund and Junior Golf Day are among the initiatives FNB Eswatini has introduced alongside the main professional tournament as it seeks to increase the development and participation of local golfers.
With the 2026 Challenge now concluded, the bank has indicated that its focus on local golf development will continue beyond this year’s tournament.
