By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development, Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, officially handed over a 65-seater bus valued at over E3 million to the Giya Ndvodza Cooperative.
The bus is funded through the Regional Development Fund (RDF) which is under the Ministry of Tinkhundla.
The presentation ceremony took place on Wednesday at Velezizweni Umphakatsi under the Ngwempisi Inkhundla.
The event was attended by notable figures, including members of the Parliament portfolio committee from both houses, outgoing Manzini Regional Administrator Chief Gija, Principal Secretary Nonhlanhla Dlamini, Ngwempisi Member of Parliament Bhekibandla Vilakati, and other officials.
During his speech, the Chairperson of the Giya Ndvodza Cooperative, Bongani Dlamini, expressed profound gratitude to the government for its supportive projects, which he described as “pro-poor policies” which are aimed at assisting emaSwati.
He highlighted that the Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development has answered His Majesty King Mswati III’s call of “Nkwe,” where he said such demonstrates his commitment to community upliftment.
Dlamini also praised Micro Projects for their crucial assistance during the proposal design phase of their now-funded initiative.
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He emphasized that with the new bus, residents of Velezizweni would no longer struggle with transportation to national events such as Buganu, Umhlanga, and Incwala.
The cooperative, comprising fifteen members from each community within Velezizweni, is now equipped to service various routes, extending from Velezizweni and Sibovu through Mankayane to Manzini.
Dlamini on behalf of the cooperative, vowed to work diligently to ensure the growth and success of their transportation business.
Ngwempisi Member of Parliament (MP) Bhekibandla Vilakati also commended the Ministry and the government for their ongoing support of emaSwati.
He urged the cooperative members to take care of the bus and focus on growing the business rather than letting it deteriorate.
“This support from the government should be seen as a stepping stone for greater achievements,” Vilakati said.
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“It is now up to you, the members, to ensure that this bus serves its purpose and benefits the community as intended.”
Government aims to expand into new project areas – Minister Sikhumbuzo
The Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development Sikhumbuzo Dlamini has expressed that it is within the government’s vision to pursue expansion into other project areas, which are a priority need for improving the socio-economic lives of rural communities.
The Minister said this when delivering his remarks during the presentation of a 65-seater bus to Giya Ndvodza Cooperative from Velezizweni chiefdom under Ngwempisi Inkhundla.
“It gives me great pleasure to be part of the official handover of an income-generating project in a rural area within the Ngwempisi Inkhundla,” the Minister stated.
He emphasized that the bus, procured through the Regional Development Fund (RDF) at a cost of E3,014,242, is a testament to the government’s dedication to uplifting rural areas through sustainable projects.
The Minister highlighted that the Giya Ndvodza Multipurpose Cooperative comprises of fifteen unemployed members with business experience.
He said that they contributed E332,000 in cash and in-kind to the project.
The cooperative has further committed to employing at least three people, which the Minister said is directly addressing the RDF’s objective of poverty alleviation in the Kingdom’s four regions.
Dlamini highlighted that the bus project is one of twelve initiatives funded by the RDF in Ngwempisi Inkhundla since 2019, with a total investment of E10,078,092.50.
These projects include the construction of school toilets, dip tanks, semidetached houses for primary schools, a consumer science lab, fencing of school properties, and kitchen facilities for primary schools, as well as another bus for a different cooperative.
“A closer examination of the project’s overall costs gives the impression that the government can deliver projects at a low cost when sharing implementation costs with beneficiaries,” Dlamini noted.
He emphasized that this collaborative approach fosters community empowerment, participatory development, and training in leadership and business skills, creating both economic benefits and a sense of community pride.
The minister acknowledged the significant contributions of various bodies, including the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development, the RDF Technical Committee, the RDF Committee, and the Microprojects Programme, in ensuring the success of these income-generating projects.
“The collaboration between the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development and the Microprojects Programme has continued to be a flagship of success in spearheading government’s programmes focused on rural development and poverty reduction,” Dlamini said.
Dlamini also praised the vision and support of Their Majesties in identifying and backing poverty alleviation initiatives.
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He emphasized the government’s commitment to expanding into other project areas that address the priority needs of rural communities, urging the Giya Ndvodza Multipurpose Cooperative to professionally manage their income-generating project.
“His Majesty’s Government will continually challenge Members of Parliament, Regional Administrators, Regional Secretaries, Tinkhundla committees, Local Chiefs,
Development Committees, Community Development Officers, and the Microprojects Unit to work hard in ensuring that the Regional Development Fund is also used as a vehicle to achieve His Majesty’s vision for a developed Eswatini,” Dlamini asserted.
The event was graced by Parliament portfolio committee members from both houses, outgoing Manzini Regional Administrator Chief Gija, Principal Secretary Nonhlanhla Dlamini, Ngwempisi Member of Parliament Bhekibandla Vilakati, and other officials.
In his concluding remarks, Minister Sikhumbuzo expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the event, particularly the groups who provided entertainment.
“It is humbling to the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini to witness their Majesties identifying and fully supporting poverty alleviation initiatives,” he said.
