What started as a love for food and a curiosity in the kitchen quickly grew into one of Eswatini’s most heartfelt food and lifestyle brands. At its helm is Nkosivile Gumbi, a passionate home-grown foodie whose love for cooking and sharing good food transformed into a thriving business during the quiet, reflective days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
From handcrafted jam jars to granola, gourmet syrups, and curated kitchen apparel, Let’s Eat Eswatini is about quality, creativity, and connection. In this interview, she shares the story behind her brand, from her humble beginnings to being named one of Eswatini’s 2025 Future ICONS.
Q. Please introduce yourself and tell us the story behind Let’s Eat Eswatini. How did it all begin?
A. My name is Nkosivile Gumbi, born and raised in Eswatini. I’ve always been a foodie curious about different cuisines and passionate about recreating meals I fall in love with. Over time, I found joy not just in tasting food but in preparing and sharing it with friends and loved ones. Let’s Eat Eswatini was born during one of the most reflective times in our lives, the COVID-19 pandemic. With restrictions keeping us out of shops and restaurants, I started cooking my favourite takeout meals at home. That culinary journey led me into baking and eventually creating gourmet jam recipes to complement my baked goods. I quickly mastered a few recipes, and just like that, my first product range which is our signature jam jars was born.
Q. What inspired you to start a food and lifestyle brand that combines homemade products with kitchen apparel?
A. Entrepreneurship runs deep in my family. Growing up, I always looked forward to school holidays so I could visit my grandmother in Manzini and help her with her market stall at the bus rank. We’d also sell her sweet buns door to door in the neighbourhood, and I loved every part of it, from baking to customer interaction and those little celebrations afterward, like buying ice cream or KFC Streetwise Two. My childhood was filled with warm memories, discipline, and the entrepreneurial spirit. In many ways, I was raised in the kitchen, and by the kitchen. Those childhood memories built my character, instilled strong values, and taught me the power of working with your hands. So starting Let’s Eat Eswatini felt like a natural extension of everything I learned growing up, combining food, storytelling, and creativity.
Q. You offer quite a variety—jam jars, syrups, granola, coffee, fresh goodies, and even kitchen apparel. How do you balance quality and creativity across such diverse offerings?
A. Another huge passion of mine is travel and tourism. It’s opened my eyes to life’s finer things, quality foods and beautifully made products. My personal motto is: “If it’s not good enough for me, then it’s not worth sharing (or selling).” Every product I offer has been personally tested in my own home, used by my family and kids. I believe in only sharing what I truly love and use myself. That principle guides every product I create. If it’s not good enough to serve in my home, to my family, I won’t put it out to the public.
Q. What makes your jam, syrup, and granola stand out from what’s already on the market?
A. If you go through our social media, you’ll see one phrase repeated often: “freshly made.” I never sell products that have been sitting on a shelf for weeks or months. I make everything fresh to order, straight from my stove to your hands. I also prioritize using natural ingredients. While our jam jars do contain sugar, they’re made with real fruit, and our granola features wholesome ingredients like nuts, coconut oil, and honey. As someone who’s been plus-size most of my life, I’m very mindful of what I put into my body, and that mindfulness carries over into everything I make.
Q. How important is sourcing local ingredients and supporting local producers to your business model?
A. It’s incredibly important to me, something that ties back to my childhood experiences. I’m a firm believer in supporting small business owners, especially local farmers and market vendors. I live in Matsapha, so my ingredient-sourcing starts along Mathangeni Road and stretches to the markets along Logoba and University roads. By doing this, I get the freshest produce while supporting the heart of our community.
Q. What kind of experience do you hope to create for someone interacting with Let’s Eat Eswatini for the first time?
A. I hope to create a nostalgic experience, something that lingers in your memory and sparks a story worth sharing. Whether it’s the taste of the food, the customer service, or the packaging, I want every touch point with Let’s Eat Eswatini to feel intentional, warm, and memorable.
Q. What milestones or moments have made you most proud?
A. My most memorable milestones have come from collaborations. Working with the Vuvulane Food Market and Waffle Palace were standout moments that pushed me to innovate and expand. These partnerships inspired me to develop new products and see my brand in new, exciting ways. I value any interaction that helps me grow as a person and an entrepreneur.
Q. Are there any exciting new products, pop-ups, or collaborations we can look forward to?
A. Absolutely! In 2025, we’re expanding our product range, specifically venturing into more savoury options. And yes, more collaborations are on the way. Keep an eye out.
Q. You have been selected to be amongst the 10 Future ICONS of 2025 that are set to elevate Eswatini’s creative industries with expert mentorship, business development training, and market exposure at MTN Bushfire and Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival. How does that make you feel and what does it mean for your brand?
A. My goodness, what an honor! I believe God has a plan for all of us, as long as we keep showing up and knocking on doors. This opportunity took me completely by surprise, especially since we were interviewing alongside very bright and talented artisans in the country. This opportunity is a blessing, and I’m praying for the strength and work ethic to make the most of it. I hope my work speaks for itself and wins hearts throughout 2025. Being part of the Future ICONS cohort doesn’t mean I’m better than anyone, but it also reminds me that no one is better than me. I’m committed to giving this my all and letting my work speak for itself.
Q. How can people find Let’s Eat Eswatini products and stay up to date?
A. Follow Let’s Eat Eswatini on Instagram! We regularly post product updates, collaborations, and event announcements. To place an order, simply DM us or reach out via call or WhatsApp using the contact details on our page.
