By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development, Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, has embarked on a spending spree on developmental projects, with a total value exceeding E8 million within just three months.
The Minister’s latest endeavor saw the unveiling of three transformative projects valued at E6 million on Friday, all funded through the Regional Development Fund (RDF) and strategically located within the Shiselweni Region, spanning three constituencies.
This latest initiative follows a notable precedent set in February when Minister Sikhumbuzo Dlamini presented a brand-new 65-seater bus worth E2.1 million to the Macudvulwini Multipurpose Cooperative in Ngwempisi Inkhundla under the Manzini region.
The trio of projects unveiled in Shiselweni encompasses a diverse range of endeavors tailored to empower local communities and drive economic growth.
One project is a comprehensive package including a truck, farming inputs, and fencing, valued at E1,465,225.55, and such was disbursed to fifty-five members of the Mooihoek Multipurpose Cooperative in KuMethula Inkhundla.
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Again, twenty members of the Ayafezwa Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited in Ngudzeni Inkhundla also set to benefit from a horse and trailer truck, valued at E3,087,547.81.
The third project was unveiled iwn Mtsambama Inkhundla where ten youth members of Cross Country Traders will leverage a state-of-the-art refrigerator truck, valued at E1,677,889.11, which will support their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Through this project, the Mtsambama you asserted that it will utilize this to capitalize on emerging market opportunities.
Collectively, these projects are anticipated to directly impact the lives of eighty-five emaSwati, with the additional benefit of creating employment opportunities for four individuals.
Minister Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, speaking during the handover ceremonies, emphasized the profound significance of such initiatives, which he said serves as tangible manifestations of His Majesty King Mswati III’s visionary Regional Development Fund.
He hailed the projects as instrumental in achieving the Fund’s primary objective of poverty alleviation and socioeconomic empowerment across the kingdom’s diverse regions.
However, the Minister also issued a word of caution, highlighting the importance of professional business ethics and effective management practices in ensuring the sustainability and success of income-generating projects.
He urged beneficiaries to prioritize reinvesting profits into business growth, fostering harmonious relations among members, and fulfilling statutory obligations to safeguard against project failures.
“l wish to emphasize that some income generating projects collapse due to failure to adhere to professional business ethics, and conflicts within members,” said the Minister.
“Failure to seed part of the profit in business growth and failure to make statutory monthly/annual contributions towards the business contribute to the collapse of such income generating projects.
Therefore, I urge you all to be on the lookout for these elements and do your utmost best to avoid them.”
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The Minister applauded the collective effort which was instrumental in seeing the projects completed. Dlamini stated, “Words can never be enough to thank all those who worked collaboratively and tirelessly towards the success of these projects.”
The RDF is a government initiative under the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development which was founded to promote rural and regional development through the Regional Development Fund (RDF) which is managed by the Micro Projects Unit and the ministry.
It was established by the government of Eswatini and is regulated under the Act 2015 which stipulates that the fund is monitored by parliament through the Regional Development Fund Committee and the Regional Development Technical Fund.