BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
MBABANE – The Deputy Prime Minister, Thulisile Dladla, on Tuesday officially handed over a newly built one-room flat to 72-year-old Mbulawa Sigugudla Dlamini of Nqota area under Mkhweli Umphakatsi, Siphofaneni Inkhundla in the Lubombo Region, after his home was destroyed by heavy rains, restoring his safety, dignity, and hope through a government-led housing intervention.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Dladla said government, working closely with traditional authorities and community structures, remained committed to improving the lives of vulnerable citizens. She highlighted that decent housing was a basic foundation for health, security and human dignity, particularly for the elderly and those living with disabilities.
The house was built following an assessment of Dlamini’s vulnerability, which was facilitated by Their Majesties’ emissary, Ntombi Matse, through Her Majesty Indlovukazi. The matter was also reported to the National Disaster Management Agency, which supported the intervention as part of disaster response and social protection efforts.
Dlamini’s previous one room stone house collapsed during a severe storm earlier this year, narrowly missing him moments before he was about to enter. Following the incident, he was left without safe shelter and was forced to temporarily share his son’s one room structure, a situation that was unsafe and unsuitable given his fragile health.
The elderly man lives with serious mobility challenges that prevent him from engaging in any form of employment. He is a long term tuberculosis survivor and relies mainly on the elderly grant, occasional food assistance from neighbours and periodic community food parcel distributions. At times, food insecurity has further compromised his health, underscoring the urgency of the housing intervention.
The newly constructed flat now provides Dlamini with a safe, stable and dignified living environment, significantly reducing health risks while restoring a sense of belonging within his community. During the event, the Deputy Prime Minister also planted two paw paw trees at the homestead, symbolising growth, sustainability and renewed hope. Additional support is expected, including a bed from Montigny Company, as well as a toilet and curtains to be provided through the Inkhundla.
Dladla urged the family and community to continue caring for Dlamini, emphasising that he is the rightful owner of the house and must be protected. She further revealed that more than 20 houses are scheduled to be opened in the Lubombo Region, with additional constructions planned to support other vulnerable families.
She appealed to Members of Parliament to allocate adequate funding for disaster response under the Disaster Risk Management Act of 2025, noting the increasing frequency of seasonal storms that continue to destroy homes and community infrastructure. While acknowledging the high demand for housing assistance, she explained that available resources are used both for urgent storm related cases and for constructing homes for disadvantaged households, with donor support playing a critical role.
Local leaders, including MP Nomalungelo Simelane of LaZwide, Indvuna yeNkhundla Phiwokwakhe Ngcamphalala and Inkhosikati La Monareng, welcomed the intervention and stressed the pressing need for more decent housing within the constituency.
An emotional Dlamini expressed gratitude and relief at finally having a proper home, describing the house as a blessing that has restored his dignity and given him peace of mind after months of uncertainty.
