By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development, Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, today officially handed over accessories valued at E130 000 to Phatfwakahle Multipurpose Cooperative under Gege Inkhundla,
which was hailed as yet another milestone under the Government’s Regional Development Fund (RDF) programme.
The handover ceremony was attended by cooperative members, local leadership, and community representatives.
The Minister made the presentation of the essential equipment aimed at supporting the cooperative’s income-generating initiatives.
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The accessories included a nine by eighteen metres tent, 200 plastic chairs, a generator, two plastic toilets, three foldable tables, and six cooking pots of varying sizes.
These items were procured to enhance the cooperative’s ability to provide catering and event-hosting services, creating new economic opportunities for the group’s 30 members.
During the handover, Minister Sikhumbuzo emphasised that the Government, through the Regional Development Fund, contributed an amount of E128,781.88 to the procurement of these assets.
The cooperative members themselves contributed E17,000, a financial commitment that the Minister highlighted as evidence of the members’ dedication and willingness to invest in the long-term success of their cooperative.
This cooperative is one of the many community-driven projects that have benefited from the RDF, which is specifically designed to promote poverty alleviation, income generation, and self-sustainability among rural communities across Eswatini.
The Minister noted that the proactive stance taken by Phatfwakahle Multipurpose Cooperative members which is leveraging available government funds to enhance their livelihoods.
He said that it serves as a shining example of how rural communities can uplift themselves when empowered with the right support and resources.
The Minister took the opportunity to highlight the broader impact of the Regional Development Fund within Gege Inkhundla, disclosing that since 2015, projects worth E7,800,285.75 have been financed under the fund.
These projects include the construction of Dvudvusini Primary School’s administration block, the perimeter fencing of Mbita Primary School, the construction of a four-classroom block at Gege Methodist Primary School, the development of Mabovaneni Dip Tank,
the construction of Siyendle Methodist Primary School’s administration block, the establishment of an agriculture laboratory at Mlindzini High School, and the development of an agriculture laboratory at Eric Rosenberg High School.
Each of these projects, the Minister explained, is a testament to the government’s commitment to addressing community needs and ensuring that rural development is not just a concept but a lived reality for emaSwati.
The Minister praised the collaborative efforts between the community, Tinkhundla Centres, and government officials, acknowledging the tireless work and dedication that has gone into ensuring the successful implementation of the RDF-funded projects.
He explained that the RDF was created to bridge the development gap in rural areas by providing communities with access to funding for projects that directly respond to their economic and social needs.
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Phatfwakahle Multipurpose Cooperative’s tent and catering business fits perfectly within this framework, as it is a business model that leverages local opportunities such as community events, weddings,
and traditional ceremonies, ensuring that money circulates within the community and directly benefits residents.
Moreover,
Minister Sikhumbuzo Dlamini urged emaSwati who are contemplating starting businesses but are uncertain about how to secure financial resources to visit their respective Tinkhundla Centres.
He reminded them that government funding and grants are available to support innovative and impactful community-driven projects.
By taking advantage of these resources, communities can unlock economic potential, create employment,
and play a direct role in the fight against poverty and hunger, which aligns with both national development strategies and His Majesty’s vision for a self-sufficient Eswatini.
