BY WENKOSI KHUMALO
MALKERNS – Hundreds of emaSwati workers are set to benefit from easier access to retirement services as the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF), popularly known as Lidlelantfongeni, has launched the Catsatsa! Sikuwe Roadshow, a nationwide campaign aimed at taking services directly to workplaces and communities.
The year long initiative is designed to bring ENPF closer to its members by offering on-site assistance, educating workers about their benefits and strengthening relationships with employers. It also promotes employer compliance, Know Your Customer (KYC) updates, pension conversion, voluntary supplementary savings and the Fund’s digital services.
Launching the campaign in Malkerns, ENPF Chief Executive Officer Futhi Tembe said the roadshow reflects the Fund’s commitment to putting members first.
“We are servants of our members. They are our bosses. That is why we are leaving our offices and coming to them. We want to understand their needs and ensure they receive fast, responsive and caring service,” she said.
Tembe said updating KYC information remains one of the Fund’s top priorities because accurate records help protect members’ savings, reduce fraud and speed up benefit payments.
She also encouraged members to embrace the MyENPF App and the *003# USSD service, which allow them to check statements, update personal details, submit claims and access other services without visiting ENPF offices.
Highlighting improvements in customer service, Tembe revealed that many qualifying claims are now processed within about two hours once all the required documents have been submitted.
She further urged employees to strengthen their financial future through voluntary supplementary savings.
Drawing inspiration from the book The Richest Man in Babylon, Tembe encouraged workers to make saving a habit.
ENPF conversion specialist Miccah Nkabinde
“Pay yourself first. Before spending on anything else, save at least 10 per cent of what you earn. Your future self will thank you,” she said.
She added that ENPF continues to offer members secure savings, with no administration charges deducted from contributions, guaranteed annual interest of at least three per cent and a record 10 per cent return paid to members last year.
The first stop of the roadshow was Umbane (Pty) Ltd, where employees welcomed the opportunity to engage directly with ENPF officials.
Operations Chairperson Veronica Dlamini described the initiative as a valuable opportunity for employees to better understand their retirement benefits without travelling to ENPF offices.
Employee Senzo Vilane said the visit answered many questions and made the Fund feel more accessible.
The delegation also visited Eagle’s Nest, one of Eswatini’s largest egg producers, where Acting Chief Executive Officer Conrad Chester praised ENPF for maintaining close communication with employers.
Tembe congratulated the company for achieving full compliance and encouraged employees to take advantage of voluntary supplementary savings. She also highlighted the Fund’s Siphephelo Free Funeral Cover, which provides qualifying active members with funeral benefits of E7 500 for natural death and E15 000 for accidental death at no additional cost.
ENPF General Manager operations Vusi Ngcamphalala
The final stop was RFG Eswatini, where General Manager Zakhele Lukhele commended ENPF for proactively taking information directly to workplaces.
He revealed that 608 of the company’s 2 000 employees have already updated their KYC details, while 240 employees are making voluntary supplementary contributions.
Throughout the roadshow, workers actively participated by asking questions about pension conversion, retirement savings, benefit claims and digital services. The programme also featured quizzes, giveaways and entertainment, creating a relaxed environment for learning.
As the campaign travels across the country, ENPF hopes the initiative will improve financial literacy, encourage a culture of saving and ensure more emaSwati workers are equipped to build a secure retirement while bringing essential services closer to the people they serve.
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