BY MBONGENI NDLELA
LOBAMBA – For farmers who depend on rainfall, every dry season brings uncertainty.
For young people in rural areas, job opportunities can feel distant. The Mpakeni Dam project is designed to change that story.
Government has allocated E1.6 billion to the dam this year alone. Once fully implemented under the broader water augmentation programme, the project is projected to create 100 000 jobs.
The Finance Minister described it as the largest single investment Government has made in a multi-stage agricultural project.
The dam is already more than 44% complete, with over 1 800 jobs created across construction and agricultural preparation activities.
Complementary programmes include major investments aimed at uplifting thousands of households and strengthening food security.
For rural families, water means irrigation, higher yields and stable incomes. For the country, it means resilience and growth.
