BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE – A major push to accelerate grassroots development in Mbabane East is gaining momentum, with Member of Parliament Welcome Dlamini leading a high-level inspection of priority projects identified by residents under the Inkhundla system.
Accompanied by the Inkhundla council and Microprojects representatives, Dlamini toured several sites where communities have called for urgent intervention, signalling a renewed drive to translate local needs into visible development.
The inspection began in Msunduza, where residents were presented with project graphics outlining plans for the construction of a modern community hall and a state-of-the-art sports facility. The initiatives are expected to transform the area into a vibrant hub for social engagement and youth development.
From there, the delegation proceeded to Fonteyn, where the dire state of roads in the Phola area highlighted the urgency of infrastructure upgrades. Residents painted a grim picture of life during the rainy season, describing how poor road conditions make transport nearly impossible.
One Phola resident said access becomes so difficult that even emergency situations turn critical. “When it rains, vehicles cannot reach us. If someone gets sick, it becomes very hard for them to be transported to a health facility,” the resident said.
The Member of Parliament acknowledged the challenges, stressing that multiple projects are lined up across Mbabane East but require coordinated effort and support to take off.
“In Fonteyn, there is an urgent need for Microprojects to upgrade at least two roads. At Sandla, under Sidwashini, there is a need to build a community hall, and the same applies to Mdzimba,” said Dlamini.
He noted that the absence of proper meeting facilities in some areas continues to slow down development. “Communities are forced to borrow venues, which delays decision-making and the sharing of ideas that could drive progress,” he added.
Microprojects representatives also engaged directly with residents, outlining expectations and community responsibilities once implementation begins, emphasising the importance of local participation in ensuring sustainability.
He said they is 10% commitment fee required from communities seeking development projects. The representative clarified that the contribution should not be viewed as a burden, but as a demonstration of ownership, commitment and partnership in initiatives aimed at uplifting communities.
The representative emphasised that when communities actively contribute, it strengthens accountability and ensures that projects are valued, protected and sustained for future generations.
The development push comes in the wake of a significant agreement signed earlier this month between the Municipal Council of Mbabane (MCM), Mbabane East Inkhundla and Mbabane West Inkhundla.
On April 2, 2026, the parties formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mbabane, aimed at improving service delivery and accelerating regional development.
The MoU seeks to integrate operations between the municipality and the two tinkhundla, ending fragmented approaches to development and promoting a unified strategy for sustainable urban growth. It has been described by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development as a historic milestone for local governance.
However, the signing was not without controversy, as reports indicate there were pockets of disagreement among some officials, pointing to underlying tensions even as collaboration efforts move forward.
Despite this, the ongoing project inspections in Mbabane East suggest a clear intention to move beyond agreements on paper and deliver tangible change on the ground.
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