By Mbono Mdluli
MHLUMENI – A new dawn of dignity and compassion is sweeping across Eswatini, powered by the unchanging generosity of Their Majesties.
Over 100 vulnerable families are now living in safe, sturdy homes, thanks to a visionary initiative by His Majesty King Mswati III and Her Majesty the Indlovukazi to restore hope and improve livelihoods through human settlement.
The latest chapter in this heartwarming national transformation unfolded on 7 July 2025, when Her Majesty, through Deputy Prime Minister Thuli Dladla and Make Ntombi Matse, officially handed over a newly constructed two-room house to Gogo Fakubi Mkhabela (née Fakudze) of Mhlumeni, Lubombo Region. This home, now her sanctuary, joins over 100 others built under the Royal Humanitarian Housing Initiative since the start of the 2024/2025 financial year.
Speaking on behalf of the area, Chief Jozane Maziya, who is also a Senator, expressed deep appreciation: “We are truly blessed to have leaders who care so deeply. These homes are not just shelters, they are gifts of security and dignity.”
A Vision Rooted in Compassion
The housing project is a direct response to the ‘Nkwe’ directive issued by His Majesty during the 2023 Sibaya, emphasizing the Royal Family’s commitment to ensuring no Liswati is left behind, especially the elderly, disabled, and orphaned.
In February 2025, this publication reported that the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO) had constructed 93 homes between April 2024 and January 2025. These included:
- 30 one-room houses
- 62 two-room houses
- 1 multiple-room structure
In addition, the Office rehabilitated 199 unsafe structures and built two Neighbourhood Care Points (NCPs), testaments to a proactive government that prioritizes safety and care for its people.
Transforming Lives, One Home at a Time
From the hilly terrains of Mhlumeni to the rolling fields of Nkiliji, the stories are similar: joy, relief, and overwhelming gratitude.
At a past handover in May 2024, Make Siphiwe Dlamini, an elderly woman in Nkiliji, broke down in tears, saying:
“For years, I feared the rain. Now, I finally have a roof that does not leak. May Their Majesties be blessed tenfold.”
Her new home was fitted with a solar light, ventilated pit latrine, and a lockable steel door, ensuring comfort and safety.
In Ndzangu, Make Maphalala, a widow living with her grandchildren, proudly stood before her new two-room home and said:
“We used to sleep in shifts during storms because the mud walls were crumbling. Now, we sleep in peace.”
These testimonies have been widely celebrated on the Government’s official Facebook page, where photos of the handovers reveal a consistent theme, smiles, prayers, and gratitude.
A National Call for Housing Dignity
During the Opening of the 12th Parliament (2nd Session) in February 2025, His Majesty King Mswati III addressed the nation with heartfelt clarity on the need for better housing. He said:
“Every Liswati deserves a decent home. We must eliminate the unsafe stick-and-mud dwellings that expose families to danger. This is not just a shelter issue—it is about dignity, health, and national pride. We call upon every stakeholder to partner with us in this noble mission.”
The King also called for accelerating housing projects, strengthening disaster resilience, and embracing modern construction methods to build climate-resilient, affordable structures for the nation’s most vulnerable.
Looking Ahead
After handing over Gogo Fakubi’s home, the DPM and Her Majesty’s representative visited Lonhlupheko, under KaLanga Chiefdom, where they met Make Sehlephi Nkambule, a widow living in dire conditions. Her story moved the delegation, and a commitment was made to construct a home for her, continuing the ripple of transformation.
MP Joseph Souza echoed the call for broader support, urging increased budget allocation to the DPMO:
“This programme is proof that with the right resources, we can change lives. Let us empower the DPM’s Office to reach every forgotten homestead in Eswatini.”
A Legacy of Hope
From valleys to mountaintops, Their Majesties are building more than homes, they are building a legacy of compassion, dignity, and unity. Each house is not just a structure, but a beacon of what is possible when leadership puts people first.
EPN celebrates this inspiring journey and calls upon all sectors, private, public, and civil society, to join the royal mission of turning houses into homes and poverty into prosperity.
