The Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development has officially handed over the Nkamanzi Chiefdom Development Plan to Prince Gija.
Presenting the plan, Minister for Tinkhundla Administration and Development Sikhumbuzo Dlamini described the occasion as the culmination of months of consultation, collaboration and collective decision-making involving members of the Nkamanzi community.
He said the document represents a shared vision for the chiefdom’s future and not an externally designed programme. 
The Chiefdom Development Plan serves as a strategic roadmap outlining the community’s priorities for social, economic and environmental development.
According to the ministry, the purpose is to guide future projects and investments in Nkamanzi while ensuring that development initiatives respond directly to residents’ needs and aspirations.
Minister Dlamini said the ministry, through its Community Development Department, is mandated to promote grassroots-driven socio-economic development across the country.
He explained that the Chiefdom Development Plan Programme empowers communities to identify, prioritise and implement projects that improve livelihoods through a participatory approach.
Under the programme, communities are expected to lead the process of determining development priorities, with government and partners providing implementation support.
“The plan gives the community a tool to guide how development takes place here,” Dlamini said, further mentioning that it ensures that projects are aligned to what the people of Nkamanzi have said they need.
Receiving the plan, Prince Gija commended the inclusive process that led to its development.
He said every segment of the community was allowed to contribute during the consultation phase.
“The views of elders, women, youth and other stakeholders were incorporated,” Prince Gija said.
“The final document therefore reflects the collective aspirations of the people of Nkamanzi.”
He noted that the community-led approach distinguishes the plan from traditional top-down development strategies.
According to the Prince, placing the community at the centre of planning is expected to strengthen local ownership and accountability in the implementation phase.
“We are confident that this approach provides a solid foundation for the chiefdom’s long-term growth and prosperity,” he said.
The plan will now be used as the reference document for all future development interventions in Nkamanzi.
This means government departments, development partners and other stakeholders will be expected to align their support to the priorities outlined by the community.
The ministry stated that the Chiefdom Development Plan Programme is being rolled out in several chiefdoms as part of efforts to decentralise planning and ensure development is responsive at grassroots level.
Dlamini reiterated the ministry’s commitment to supporting communities to drive their own development.
He said the Community Development Department will continue to provide technical support to Nkamanzi as it moves into the implementation phase.
