by Ncaba Ntshakala
The Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla delivered livelihood items on Monday. The initiative is part of a broader E1.7 million empowerment fund which is for supporting vulnerable young people across the country.
During the handover, Dladla visited two child-headed households, delivering essential items designed to sustain the children until they reach adulthood.
Each household received three goats and six indigenous chickens, a 5000-litre water tank, water supply, a goats’ kraal, and fencing materials.
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The first household visited was the Mtsetfwa family, consisting of seven children. After their father passed away over two years ago and their mother abandoned them, the children had been living with various family members.
Following consultations with the local chiefdom and family, a piece of land was allocated to them.
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) is currently constructing a two-bedroom house with a bathroom, kitchen, and sitting room for the family.
The DPM handed over six chickens and three goats to the Mtsetfwa family and announced that the NDMA would plough maize for them during summer, while her office will fence the entire property.
The second family visited was the Mhlanga family at Ntabamhloshana. The siblings, Siphilangani and Fikile, had their house rehabilitated after a storm in December 2023.
They were provided with 20 dragon trees, and their field was planted with sweet potatoes supplied by the DPM’s office and NDMA.
Siphilangezwi, who has a passion for farming, maintains a garden with onions, spinach, tomatoes, and fruit trees. The family received three goats, six chickens, a water tank, and fencing material.
Additionally, Fikile will be attending hairdressing, manicure, and pedicure training in Mbabane, facilitated by the DPM’s office.
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During her address to the families, Dladla expressed her gratitude to the local chiefdoms for ensuring that these children had their own land.
“We are delivering material to some of the child-headed households. This includes water tanks, fence, goats, and chickens.
We want them to be self-sustained and be able to feed themselves while the government pays school fees. This is part of the E1.7 million meant to empower vulnerable young people,” she said.
