BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
BULANDZENI — For years, rain meant sleepless nights, soaked blankets, and fear. This week, three families in Bulandzeni will sleep under secure roofs after receiving newly built homes through a church backed housing programme aimed at restoring dignity to vulnerable households.
The houses were officially handed over by Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla at Ndzingeni Inkhundla on 20 April 2026, where she handed over three houses, bringing the total number delivered so far to 10, following the handover of seven houses last week under the same initiative financed by the Roman Catholic Church through Caritas Eswatini in partnership with Homeplan.
According to Machawe Ngcamphalala, the housing project, a partnership between Caritas Eswatini and Homeplan, did not start recently but has been ongoing for the past 10 years, during which over 150 houses have been built for vulnerable families.
Among the beneficiaries, Lomthandazo Dlamini, a mother of six, described the moment as life changing after years of living in leaking stick and mud structures.
“At least today we will sleep in peace with my children and fear no rains that wet us while we sleep. Some of the wet blankets are on the line because it was raining at night and the children got wet,” she said.
In another household, 64 year old Nobuhle Ndwandwe is rebuilding her life after a devastating fire destroyed her home in July 2024. She and her grandchildren had been sharing a cramped one room shelter after losing all their belongings. Thoko Shabangu also received a new home, marking the end of unsafe living conditions and the beginning of stability for her family.
Speaking at the handover, Dladla said unity between Government and the Church is key to changing lives and delivering results for communities. “When there is unity, we can achieve everything we put our minds on. Thank you for not discriminating but helping all vulnerable families. Through this wonderful initiative you are easing a burden for Government, and as the process continues more people will benefit,” she said.
Father Zweli Ngwenya, representing Bishop José Luis Ponce de León, said the initiative reflects a shared commitment to uplifting communities. “ Whatever the Church is doing, we have been sent by His Majesty the King. I thank the collaboration between the Church and the Government of Eswatini,” he said.
The latest handover forms part of an ongoing rollout expected to reach more families living in vulnerable conditions, turning hardship into hope, one home at a time.
