BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI– Technology is moving from the screen into everyday life as emaSwati are being equipped with practical skills to use digital platforms for healthcare, farming and income generation at the ongoing Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF) 2026.
The focus is no longer simply on having access to technology, but on knowing how to use it to solve everyday challenges, protect livelihoods and unlock new opportunities.
The platforms — TruMD eSwatini, MTN Umelusi Animal Tracking and Eswatini Content Hub/Uploada — form part of digital solutions introduced through a collaboration between MTN Eswatini and the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) to harness technology and improve lives across key sectors.
The solutions were showcased during the Ministry of ICT’s Digital Skills Workshop Series at Pavilion 5 on Day 7 of EITF 2026, where participants were taken through practical ways of using digital platforms to address everyday needs.
Leading the session was MTN Eswatini Coordinator Digital and VAS, Thulani Nhlabatsi, who demonstrated how the platforms can be used to access services, protect valuable assets and explore new economic opportunities.
For healthcare, Nhlabatsi highlighted TruMD eSwatini, a telemedicine platform connecting emaSwati with qualified medical professionals through digital consultations. The platform provides access to medical advice, prescriptions, referrals and follow-up care without requiring patients to travel for every consultation.
“During COVID-19, people could not move freely, but they still needed healthcare. With TruMD, you can access medical assistance online without having to travel,” Nhlabatsi said.
In the creative economy, Eswatini Content Hub/Uploada gives content creators and small businesses a digital platform to showcase and share their work, reach wider audiences and explore opportunities to generate income.
“Your content should not only be seen; it should also create value for you. Uploada gives creators a platform to showcase their work and an opportunity to earn from it,” Nhlabatsi said.
For farmers, MTN Umelusi Animal Tracking offers real-time livestock monitoring designed to help farmers track their animals, combat stock theft and reduce road accidents caused by stray cattle.
“Cattle are an important investment for many families. When you can monitor where your livestock is, you are in a better position to protect it and respond quickly when there is unusual movement,” Nhlabatsi said.
The three solutions were officially launched at Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini, with Minister of ICT Senator Savannah Maziya presiding. They target healthcare, agriculture and the creative economy as part of broader efforts to advance Eswatini’s digital transformation.
The platforms are accessible to emaSwati, with the workshop emphasising that their impact ultimately depends on people making use of the technology available to them.
The session therefore served as a practical reminder that digital transformation is not only about connectivity. It is about equipping citizens with the knowledge and confidence to use technology to access essential services, protect livelihoods, showcase their talents and create economic opportunities.
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