BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO) was privileged to receive substantial donations from Select Limited and eBet, aimed at supporting vulnerable populations in Eswatini.
The donations, which were received on March 5, 2025, form part of the Back to School Campaign initiated within the DPMO, which seeks to ensure that conditions are conducive for children to fulfill their educational roles.
Select Limited contributed over E150 000 worth of essential items, benefiting children at eight schools across four regions: Siphondo Primary, Emhlabeni Primary, Mahlabaneni High, Embosi Primary, Loyiwe Primary, Mphondla Primary, Ekwetsembeni School, and Magojela Primary. Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla commended Select Limited for their swift response to the needs of Eswatini’s children, emphasising that their donation acts as a vital lifeline, promoting belonging, equality, and the elimination of stigma.
In addition, eBet donated 300 food hampers, valued at over E300 000, demonstrating their commitment to ensuring proper meals for all citizens. They acknowledged the Deputy Prime Minister’s dedication to improving the lives of Emaswati and pledged further support.
The DPM expressed sincere gratitude for eBet’s generosity, noting that this was not their first contribution, as they had previously donated E350 000 for social protection, specifically aimed at constructing decent homesteads for the needy. She looks forward to ongoing collaboration and the opportunity to showcase eBet’s lasting impact upon the completion of these projects.
Select Limited was represented by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bheki Dlamini and General Manager Sakhile Zwane. Both representatives described Select Limited as a company dedicated to helping Emaswati gain access to credit. During his presentation, Zwane noted that the company had been in operation for 26 years, having been established in 1999, with ambitions of expanding their presence across the African continent. He mentioned that they currently operate in countries such as Lesotho, Malawi, and Kenya.
Renowned lawyer Sibusiso Shongwe, who serves as eBet’s Legal Advisor, assured the DPM that the company would continue to support the initiatives of the DPMO, stating that the Deputy Prime Minister, through her office, was doing commendable work in caring for vulnerable individuals. He expressed a desire to see the total eradication of the struggles faced by women and children daily. Shongwe affirmed that giving back was at the core of eBet’s mandate.
