Mantenga Craft & Lifestyle

After 40 years as an iconic landmark in Ezulwini Valley, Mantenga Craft and Lifestyle Center now occupies the old original historic farmhouse, which in its day was the only residence in the entire Mantenga Valley. The classic ‘Cape Dutch’ gabled building is now home to a vibrant community of skilled entrepreneurs who work together to create our lively and yet peaceful atmosphere.

Upon entrance one can see a cozy food court shaded by our huge gum tree, the perfect location for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Surrounding the outdoor food court are the entrepreneurs, hard at work to supply customers with each of their own unique specialties and thus creating the dynamic and interactive experience felt at Mantenga Craft and Lifestyle Center.

Our center is home to a variety of unique and energetic vendors, including:
Express Jewelers and Goldsmiths, a long standing store in the Mantenga area. Here you can find customizable and unique jewelry pieces that are all hand made in-store. Express Jewelers specialize in sterling silver and 9 carat gold as well as giraffe and elephant tail hair, making all of their products superior in quality and beauty.

Benguni Handicraft, where you can find everything you would hope to find in a Swazi market in one store. This seasoned store offers a variety of goods and brings to life the Swazi entrepreneurial spirit. Artists from all over Swaziland bring their products to the store to be sold to customers who would like to take a little piece of Swaziland home with them. Benguni Handicraft is the perfect place to find memorabilia or gifts for loved ones.

Rainbow Angels, where you can find a unique, modern take on Swazi art. The store exhibits unique, wooden sculptures and pieces all designed and created by Acan, the storeowner. Rainbow Angels also boasts the ability to do customizable designs.

Masaai Craft, founded by husband and wife, Daniel and Thandeka. Daniel being Tanzanian and Thandeka being Swazi have been able to develop a unique collaboration of cultures. Walking through the store one can see sculptures and paintings depicting influences from both the Masaai and Swazi cultures. All products are made by Daniel, Thandeka or their children.

Kudvumisa Creative, an offset of Kudvumisa Foundation, a nonprofit with the aim of providing quality healthcare and empowering the disenfranchised in Swaziland. All products sold in the store are made as part of the Foundation’s economic development program and sold in order to provide mobile health care units and health outreach programs around Swaziland. The store boasts skillfully made clothing and accessories made by the men and women that the Foundation supports. Fun fact: Kudvumisa Creative’s glass spoon holders are made out of recycled wine bottles from their neighbor, The Wine Boutique.

ArTea Tree provides the perfect combination of artistic merchandise and culinary delicacy. All merchandise sold here is unique and purposeful. There is also a variety of delicious light and healthy lunch or desert options to eat outside whilst basking in the sun. The ArTea Tree is available for special events to those who would like to get their creative juices flowing and also serves pre-cooked takeaway home meals.

Pizza Vesuvio, the best place to go in Swaziland to find traditional Italian food. The restaurant specializes in traditional Neapolitan wood fired pizza as well as hand made pasta and gnocchi.

The Wine Boutique, who offer an outlet for unique wines that you are unlikely to find on other shelves locally. This vendor provides the ideal excuse to pull up a chair, pop a cork and relax under the tree.

Eswatini Coffee, one of the only roasters in Swaziland, is guaranteed to bring delight to your mornings. With emphasis on high quality but affordable coffee, Eswatini’s goal is to provide accessible coffee to locals whilst maintaining the coffee’s excellence. All the coffee is roasted, grinded and packaged in-store, so stop by and buy yourself a bag.

Swazi Trails, who operate both their own desk for bookings and enquiries as well as providing the services of the Ezulwini Tourist Office, which endeavours to provide a wide range of info to travellers of things to do in and around the area.