By Mbono Mdluli
MBABANE – In a remarkable show of community support and empowerment, the Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society (BERCS) has launched an inspiring initiative to distribute 600 goats worth E600 000 to 300 deserving beneficiaries across six constituencies. This initiative is not just about livestock distribution but a beacon of hope and self-reliance for vulnerable households in the Shiselweni and Lubombo regions.
On March 4, 2025, Red Cross Public Relations Officer, Nontobeko Dlamini, shared the progress of this heartwarming project. Already, 42 goats have been handed over to 21 beneficiaries in the Hosea constituency. Specifically, 13 goats were allocated to Nsingizini, four to Ondiyaneni, and another four to Bufaneni. Each beneficiary received two female goats, a thoughtful choice aimed at enabling sustainable breeding and long-term benefits for the households.
Dlamini highlighted that the distribution will span across six constituencies: Hosea, Nkilongo, Sigwe, Matsanjeni, Lubulini, and Somntongo. This deliberate spread ensures that the impact reaches a diverse set of communities, enhancing food security and income-generating potential for the beneficiaries.
What makes this initiative even more commendable is the careful selection process. Beneficiaries were chosen between July and August based on specific criteria, prioritizing those who do not own goats, with a focus on individuals living with disabilities, pregnant or lactating women, the elderly, and households with limited assets. This inclusive approach ensures that the most vulnerable members of society are uplifted first.
Empowering Through Knowledge
Before receiving their goats, beneficiaries were provided with comprehensive training in goat production, conducted by extension officers from the Ministry of Agriculture. This training is designed to equip them with essential skills to care for the goats effectively, thereby maximizing the benefits of this initiative. Post-distribution, the Red Cross is collaborating with bomadibhane to offer ongoing support, ensuring that the goats are well-maintained and that beneficiaries receive continuous guidance.
A Broader Vision for Sustainable Livelihoods
This initiative is part of a larger vision supported by the British Red Cross under the Enhancing Livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa (ELISSA) project. The ELISSA project, which funds these efforts in the Hosea and Sandleni constituencies, underscores a strong commitment to enhancing the livelihoods of Eswatini’s rural communities.
A Holistic Approach to Community Support
In addition to the goat distribution, last month, the Red Cross also provided water tanks to 20 households in the Ondiyaneni Chiefdom within the Hosea constituency. These tanks, distributed during preparations for World Water Day under the theme “Glacier Preservation”, are set to benefit approximately 100 residents. They will play a crucial role in improving water access and encouraging water harvesting practices in the community.
This multifaceted approach by the Red Cross—integrating livestock distribution, skill training, and water security—highlights a commendable strategy aimed at building resilient communities capable of sustaining themselves in the long term. The impact of this initiative is expected to go beyond immediate benefits, fostering self-sufficiency, nutrition security, and economic stability for the beneficiaries.
As the distribution continues, communities in the Shiselweni and Lubombo regions are embracing this opportunity with hope and gratitude, inspired by the Red Cross’s dedication to transforming lives one goat at a time.
