…US Students Get Warm Welcome as Khelekhele Footbridge Project Kicks Off
BY PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
MBABANE – The bridge builders have landed, and PS Thabsile Mlangeni is here for it.
It was a morning of smiles and solidarity at the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development in Mbabane, where 14 students and professors from the United States were officially welcomed to Eswatini.
Their mission is bold and beautiful, to help construct the Khelekhele suspended footbridge that will connect the communities of Maphalaleni, Kukhanyeni and Mkhiweni.
Principal Secretary Thabsile Mlangeni rolled out a warm welcome, commending the students for trading summer break fun for sweat and service.
“It’s not every day you see young people leave their home countries to uplift others. You are not only building a bridge, you are creating access, dignity and opportunity for our people,” she said.
And the vibe? Pure joy. The US students were in high spirits and couldn’t hide their excitement. Speaking during the session, they said it was thrilling to be part of something so meaningful. “It’s exciting to be changing lives in another country,” one student shared.
“We feel honored to be working with the community, and we’re ready to give it our all.”
It wasn’t all formalities though. Engineers in Action’s Ana Jovanovic brought a surprise of her own, handing PS Mlangeni a fresh branded t-shirt that turned the welcome into a fashion-forward affair. The room lit up with laughter and applause, sealing the moment with style.
Jovanovic said this was the second student group they were hosting in Eswatini in 2025.
“We have 12 students and two professors from the University of Southern Indiana, Penn State and CU Boulder. They will be staying with community members in Maphalaleni and Mkhiweni until the bridge is completed on July 11,” she explained.
She added that the terrain had presented some unique challenges. “We decided to go longer and higher this time. The soil is very soft, which made it tricky to start. But that is what makes this project so special. The team is very young and full of energy.”
Jovanovic also paid tribute to the local partnerships that have carried the mission over the years.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Ministry and Microprojects for their constant support. Our partnership has lasted eight years, and together we’ve built 31 bridges in Eswatini. That’s not just engineering, that’s impact,” she said.
Microprojects Director Sibusiso Mbingo called the programme a powerful act of humanity. “It’s deeply encouraging to see young people fly halfway across the world just to support local communities. It’s a beautiful thing to witness.”
Mbingo said he had seen the initiative grow over the years, with skills being shared between visiting teams and locals.
“We’re seeing a strong exchange of ideas. It’s no longer just about building, it’s about learning from each other.”
He reminded the students they were now part of something bigger than themselves. “Since 2017, we have built structures that require zero maintenance and last over 50 years. This is your chance to be part of history. One day, you’ll point to this bridge and say, ‘I helped build that.’”
With boots on the ground and hearts in the right place, the Khelekhele footbridge is already connecting more than just two sides of a river, it’s connecting continents, communities and dreams.
