BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MPAKA – His Majesty King Mswati III has expressed great satisfaction with the development of the Magomba Coal Mine, describing it as a shining example of local entrepreneurial excellence and a catalyst for economic transformation in the region.
The King made these remarks during a visit to the mine, where he received a comprehensive presentation of the site’s full-scale designs and conducted a detailed tour of its operations. His Majesty commended the owners of the locally-owned venture, underscoring that the success of the project demonstrates the capacity of emaSwati to drive and manage ambitious, large-scale business initiatives.
“This project shows that emaSwati have the potential to take on major ventures and succeed. I am very impressed with what I’ve seen,” the King stated.
The Magomba Coal Mine is set to create over 400 jobs in its initial phase, offering a significant boost to employment in the Lubombo Region. His Majesty expressed optimism that the mine will stimulate broader economic activity, particularly in Magomba and surrounding communities.
A key feature of the mine is its extraction of high-grade anthracite coal. The King noted that this valuable resource has contributed to the economic success of several nations and expressed confidence that Eswatini would similarly benefit from its responsible and strategic use.
“There is great economic promise in anthracite coal. With the right approach, Eswatini can unlock new levels of development, just as other countries have done,” he said.
While acknowledging the impressive plans presented, His Majesty encouraged the stakeholders to follow through with implementation. “I have seen many plans in the past that looked promising but were never realised. I hope this one reaches completion and delivers the results we have seen on paper,” he added.
The Magomba Coal Mine stands as a beacon of opportunity and progress—positioning Eswatini on a promising path toward energy development, job creation, and economic self-reliance.