BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MAPHUNGWANE – A new chapter in community development and cultural preservation has begun in Maphungwane following the introduction of the Promoting Cultural Heritage-Based Sustainable Tourism Project, an initiative aimed at unlocking tourism and economic opportunities through the preservation and promotion of Eswatini’s rich cultural heritage.
The project was officially introduced to the Maphungwane Umphakatsi on Saturday, June 6, 2026, by the Cultural Heritage Department of the Eswatini National Trust Commission, marking another important step towards empowering communities to benefit from their cultural assets.
Speaking during the engagement, National Monuments Officer Ms. Temahlubi Nkambule outlined the project’s vision and implementation plan, highlighting its commitment to ensuring that development opportunities reach all members of the community.
“This project is about empowering communities to recognise the value of their cultural heritage and use it as a foundation for sustainable development. We want young people, women, men and persons with disabilities to be active participants and beneficiaries as we create opportunities through cultural heritage and tourism,” said Nkambule.
Funded by the European Union through UNESCO, the initiative seeks to transform cultural heritage into a driver of sustainable tourism, job creation and local economic growth while preserving the traditions, knowledge and identity that make communities unique.
The introduction follows a similar engagement with the Matsanjeni North Inkhundla Council, demonstrating growing momentum behind efforts to position cultural heritage as a valuable resource for community advancement and national development.
By placing local communities at the heart of the project, the initiative aims to create new opportunities for entrepreneurship, skills development and income generation, particularly for young people and other groups that often face barriers to economic participation.
The project is also expected to strengthen community ownership of heritage resources, encouraging residents to preserve and showcase sites, traditions and cultural practices that have the potential to attract visitors and stimulate tourism-related enterprises.
For Maphungwane, the initiative represents more than a heritage conservation programme. It is an investment in people, livelihoods and the future, creating a pathway for communities to turn their cultural wealth into sustainable economic opportunities.
As implementation gets underway, the project stands as a powerful example of how cultural heritage can be harnessed to promote inclusive growth, community pride and long-term prosperity while ensuring that Eswatini’s rich cultural legacy continues to inspire future generations.
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