BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
LOZITHA– Cheshire Homes Eswatini has marked 40 years of continuous service in the Kingdom, a milestone reflecting four decades of rehabilitation, care, and advocacy for Persons with Disabilities.
Established to bridge critical gaps in long-term care and rehabilitation services, the organisation has grown into a key partner in the national health system, working closely with government hospitals and community structures to support patients transitioning from acute treatment to long-term recovery and independent living.
Over the years, Cheshire Homes has expanded its services to include physiotherapy, chronic care support, and independent living training—services that have become increasingly vital amid rising cases of non-communicable diseases, road accidents, and long-term conditions requiring rehabilitation.
What began primarily as a facility focused on long-term care has since grown significantly, with Cheshire Homes now also extending its support to young people in need of rehabilitation and care. The organisation has evolved in both scope and capacity, responding to changing community needs and the increasing number of persons requiring structured support systems.
The 40-year commemoration was highlighted at the official launch of the Cheshire Homes Fundraising Walk held at Lozitha Royal Palace on May 13, 2026, an event aimed at mobilising national support for the organisation’s continued work. The initiative, held in partnership with United Life Assurance, is part of broader efforts to strengthen rehabilitation services and promote inclusion for persons with disabilities across the country. The main fundraising walk is scheduled for June 14, 2026, at Malolotja Nature Reserve.
Speaking on behalf of government, ICT Minister Savannah Maziya, representing the Deputy Prime Minister, acknowledged the increasing pressure on national health systems and the critical role played by Cheshire Homes in filling rehabilitation gaps.
“The numbers of patients needing rehabilitation services has increased exponentially, and the Ministry of Health appreciates and applauds the remarkable work done by Cheshire Homes to stand in the gap with the Ministry of Health to serve those in need of care.”
She noted that the growing burden of lifestyle diseases, accidents, and long-term illnesses continues to place strain on public health facilities, making partnerships with organisations such as Cheshire Homes essential in ensuring continuity of care beyond hospital treatment.
Cheshire Homes Director Dumisani Mnisi described the organisation’s 40-year journey as one marked by growth, increased demand, and expanded services, including care for both adults and youth requiring rehabilitation support.
“Over the years, this task has become overwhelming due to ever-emerging lifestyle diseases that often come with lifelong, life-changing consequences. Accidents may lead to permanent or short-term disabilities. The resurgence of diseases such as tuberculosis, further exacerbated by the continued onslaught of HIV/AIDS infections and the forever-increasing rise in cancer cases.”
He further emphasized that the organisation has seen a steady increase in patients requiring rehabilitation, underscoring the importance of continued collaboration with government health institutions to ensure continuity of care after discharge.
The 40-year milestone was highlighted as a symbol of resilience, growth, and transformation—reflecting how Cheshire Homes has expanded from its original mandate into a broader care institution that now serves both adults and youth in need of rehabilitation and support.
As the organisation looks ahead, the fundraising walk is expected to strengthen resources needed to sustain and expand its services, ensuring continued care, inclusion, and dignity for persons with disabilities and vulnerable youth across Eswatini.
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