SHE IS THE SHOT

It is Friday afternoon, and somewhere in Eswatini, a chilled shot of Jagermeister is being poured. The person making sure it hits at exactly -18 degrees Celsius, served with the right energy and the right story, is Funeka Mdluli. She is not just mixing drinks. She is mixing culture, confidence, and a quiet kind of ambition that this Kingdom is very good at producing.

Funeka is the Jagermeister Eswatini Brand Ambassador, an appointment that feels less like a title and more like the natural conclusion of years of passionate work. From Siteki to the national stage, hers is a story worth raising a glass to, and what better day to tell it than on a Friday.

FROM SITEKI WITH FLAVOUR

Long before the Jagermeister logo became part of her professional identity, Funeka was building a craft. Her background is in mixology, but she is quick to reframe what that word means. It has never been simply about ingredients in a glass. It is about atmosphere, creativity, and the experience of bringing people together around something memorable.

“I enjoy bringing people together through unique cocktail experiences while reflecting elegance, culture, and modern lifestyle trends,” she says. It sounds like a mission statement, but coming from her, it reads more like a lived reality.

THREE YEARS IN THE MAKING

Funeka did not simply apply for the ambassador role. She earned it through three years of working closely with Jagermeister as an activation agent, running campaigns and representing the brand at festivals across the country. When the opportunity to officially step into the position came, it was not a surprise. It was a recognition.

She formally took on the title in March 2026, but her relationship with the brand, and the trust she has built with it, goes back much further.

A GLOBAL BRAND THROUGH A LOCAL LENS

What makes Funeka’s approach distinctive is the way she roots a global brand in local identity. She pushes for fresh citrus from local markets, encourages bar owners to prioritise community suppliers, and blends international brand standards with proudly Liswati habits. The message is clear: international does not have to mean imported.

She has also connected with brand ambassadors from across Africa and the world during official engagements, an experience she calls eye-opening. Seeing how one brand weaves itself differently into various cultures, yet retains its identity, has shaped how she thinks about her own role.

THE INTROVERT WHO COMMANDS THE ROOM

There is something refreshingly honest about the way Funeka describes herself in crowd settings. She admits to being an introvert at first, someone who takes a moment before finding her rhythm. She has learned to let the brand lead. Jagermeister’s strong visual identity does much of the initial talking, and she steps in to build the connection from there. Not loudly, but consistently, and with genuine intent.

WHAT IS NEXT

Right now, the focus is on bar activations under the “Jagarette” campaign, introducing signature long drinks and running consumer promotions. Bigger activations are being planned for the year ahead.

For Funeka personally, the vision stretches further, into brand strategy, creative direction, and continued growth as a mixologist. There is a quiet, determined clarity to how she talks about the future.

A MESSAGE FOR THE YOUNG ONES

Her advice to young emaSwati, especially young women eyeing the lifestyle and brand industry, is straightforward. Passion, drive, determination, and patience are the ingredients. Consistency and resilience are the method. And believing in your journey, even the long, unglamorous parts, is non-negotiable.

That is advice worth toasting to. Especially on a Friday.

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