BY NONCEDO SHABANGU
MBABANE – The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has officially appointed Mgcabho Construction as the contractor for the much anticipated MaWelawela Bridge, a major infrastructure development set to benefit the Nkwene area.
The announcement was made during an event held on 31 July 2025, where Civil Engineer Menzi Mbingo confirmed that construction is expected to begin soon. He clarified that while the existing bridge remains intact, it sits too low and becomes impassable when the Mkhondvo River overflows, an issue that worsened significantly during this year’s floods.
The new bridge will span 120 metres in length and 9 metres in width, making provision for two traffic lanes and a walkway for pedestrians. Built at a higher elevation, the structure will rest on long, climate resilient piers to ensure it remains accessible even in extreme weather. “We are building with the future in mind,” Mbingo added. “This bridge will remain usable even during floods.”
Beyond the bridge itself, the project will bring additional road infrastructure upgrades to the area. These include 300 metres of tarred road from the Mandulo side leading to the bridge, followed by 70 metres of tarred road immediately after crossing. A safe intersection will also be constructed near the bridge to improve traffic safety.
Furthermore, 1 kilometre of tarred road will connect MaWelawela to nearby homesteads via Nkwene Inkhundla. The project will also deliver a new access road to Nkwene Clinic, which currently struggles with accessibility, as well as a tarred road to Nkwene Primary School to support learners and the surrounding community.
Mgcabho Construction has been given eight months to complete the full scope of work once construction gets underway.
The development has been warmly welcomed by local leadership. Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Nkwene, expressed his gratitude to the Government of Eswatini for approving the project. He said raising the bridge’s height had been a priority since he took office in 2013. “This has been a long standing wish,” said Dlamini. “It shows that government is listening and responding to community needs.”
He also noted other infrastructure improvements underway in the area, including repairs and extensions to the flood damaged building at Kholwane, designed to enhance its resilience against future weather events. Bridges at Msoko and Mafutha are also scheduled for upgrades, backed by the Ministry.
Both Mbingo and Dlamini stressed the significance of such infrastructure projects in advancing Eswatini’s national goal of attaining First World status, a vision set forth by His Majesty the King. “Infrastructure like this strengthens our communities and supports national development,” Dlamini remarked.
He further commended Mgcabho Construction for its experience in managing large scale infrastructure projects and called on the local community to cooperate fully to ensure the project is completed on time.
