BY PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
MANZINI – They once debated laws in Parliament, today they are rewriting the rules of farming.
A group of 24 former Members of Parliament have swapped politics for agribusiness, unveiling their first state-of-the-art agricultural drone at Asante Guest House in Manzini, in a move they say will cut costs for farmers and revolutionise crop spraying in the Kingdom.
The consortium, officially registered and operating from Tjaneni with a satellite office in Manzini, is chaired by former cabinet minister and ex-Ndzingeni MP Lutfo Dlamini, with Roy Fanarokis as vice-chair.
Other directors include Sandla Fakudze, Ngcobo, Masimula, N. Bhujela, and Sibusiso “Scorpion” Nxumalo, who also doubles as General Manager and Board Secretary.
Speaking at the shareholders’ meeting, Dlamini described the acquisition of the drone as “a game changer.” He said the group was proud to introduce cutting-edge technology into the Kingdom’s farming sector.
“We are delighted by the arrival of this drone because it represents innovation, safety, and affordability. Farmers have been spending a fortune hiring aeroplanes for spraying, which are costly and not environmentally friendly. This is a cheaper, smarter, and more sustainable solution,” Dlamini said.
The drones will serve the sugar industry and general farming needs, from fertiliser spreading to spraying, offering local farmers a safer and cost-effective alternative.
Dlamini, who also chairs Philani Maswati Charity Organisation and the Lutfo Dlamini Foundation, said the investment was about more than agriculture, it was about empowering former politicians and building wealth locally.
“After serving the people in Parliament, many of us face difficulties accessing finance. Through this consortium, members are eligible for soft loans under Tintfungo to finance side businesses, where banks often shut the door on us as ex-politicians. We are proving that we still have value to add, this time in growing our own economy,” he said.
The former MPs boast a wealth of cross-cutting expertise from politics, governance, and community development, which they say strengthens their new commercial venture.
“We are not just farmers; we are entrepreneurs with a vision. Our philosophy is rooted in Tinkhundla, growing our own economy, creating jobs, and reducing dependency,” Dlamini added.
The event also saw the presentation of the consortium’s first purchased drone, signalling the start of what the group believes will be a long-term game-changing contribution to Eswatini’s agricultural sector.
