By Mbono Mdluli
MPAKENI – His Majesty King Mswati III has expressed his delight at the strong safety measures put in place to protect workers during the construction of the Mpakeni Dam.
The King made the remarks on Monday, October 13, 2025, during his tour of the dam, which is still under construction. He emphasized the importance of improving the lives of the people who were relocated to make way for the project.
Addressing workers and management at the site, His Majesty commended the team for ensuring that affected residents received compensation.
“It will be good to see all of the residents enjoying an improved lifestyle because the project should uplift them,” he said.
The King praised the approximately 700 workers for their dedication, noting their contribution to moving the project forward, even as the completion rate currently stands below 35%.
He also addressed residents of the surrounding communities under Sigwe Inkhundla, expressing hope that the dam’s construction would bring lasting benefits to them as well. He encouraged them to consider agricultural projects that could generate significant income, citing other groups that have earned around E55 million annually through similar initiatives.
Furthermore, His Majesty announced that roads leading to Mpakeni would be tarred, with the initiative set to begin next month.
