By Mfanufikile Khathwane (Intern)
EZULWINI – A gentle breeze of change is sweeping through Ezulwini—a change powered not by wind, but by Wi-Fi, wires, and a shared will to uplift.
With applause, hope, and celebration, the Ezulwini Development Computer Lab was officially opened, marking a turning point in community development and digital inclusion.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of ICT in partnership with the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM), the new lab is situated at the Ezulwini Umphakatsi and promises to be more than just a building filled with computers. It stands as a modern hub for learning, innovation, and opportunity—crafted especially for the youth.
Funded through the Universal Access and Service Fund, the lab comes fully equipped to serve the digital needs of the Ezulwini community. It offers free internet, digital skills training, business development education, and even health and crime awareness programs.
This is your gateway to a brighter future
Gracing the launch event, Minister of ICT Savannah Maziya extended her heartfelt gratitude to George Falcomer and the team behind the Universal Access and Service Fund. She commended the unity between public and private players, calling the project a testament to what collaboration can achieve.
“This project shows how much can be achieved when the private and public sectors work together with a shared vision and purpose,” she said. “To our youth—this is your facility. Please use it. It is here for your benefit, for your future.”
Maziya spoke passionately about the importance of digital literacy in the face of global unemployment trends. “The future of work is digital. The ICT sector holds the jobs of tomorrow, and we must ensure our young people are ready,” she emphasized.
More than a lab—it’s a launchpad
Adding his voice, ESCCOM CEO Mvilawemphi Dlamini highlighted how crucial digital access has become in everyday life. “This lab is more than a room with computers; it is a space for knowledge, innovation, entrepreneurship, and personal growth,” he said.
George Falcomer, representing the Fabrication and Construction Committee, emphasized inclusivity, saying the facility was built with all youth in mind—especially those often left behind. “If a young girl from the street walks in and learns to research, design, or code—her life changes forever,” he shared.
A community gift, and a symbol of progress
Lobamba Member of Parliament and businessman Michael Masilela, who also attended the event, expressed strong support for the initiative. Referencing the rise of artificial intelligence and other global technologies, he stressed the urgency of local readiness. As a personal gesture of unity and goodwill, Masilela donated two cows to the Ezulwini community—a traditional gift symbolizing abundance and communal strength.
Also present was Maziya, Chairperson of the Ezulwini Umphakatsi Development Committee, who praised the lab’s potential impact. “This facility is not just for browsing the internet. It’s a tool for transformation—providing education, entrepreneurship training, health awareness, and even crime prevention knowledge,” she noted.
A new dawn for Ezulwini youth
As the community gathered to witness the ribbon-cutting and tour the sleek facility, one thing was clear: the Ezulwini Development Computer Lab is more than just a structure—it is a symbol of what the future can look like when communities invest in their people.
It stands ready to spark innovation, open minds, and usher Ezulwini’s youth into the ever-expanding digital world. In a nation striving to harness the full potential of its young generation, this computer lab is both a promise and a platform.
