BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
KWALUSENI – The University of Eswatini (UNESWA), Eswatini Mobile and Chazaka Holdings officially launched the Tertiary Student Bundle, a subsidised data package aimed at improving access to online learning and research for students. The launch took place today, at UNESWA’s Kwaluseni campus.
The bundle offers 20GB of data for E100, available daily between 12:00 AM and 7:00 PM, and is the first of its kind to be introduced at a tertiary institution in the Kingdom. According to Eswatini Mobile, the product was developed after engagements with UNESWA through Chakaza Holdings and was taken through the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) to ensure regulatory compliance.
Eswatini Mobile Chief Information Officer Genius Sihlongonyane, described the bundle as a strategic investment in the nation’s youth. “This bundle is more than just data. It ensures access to education, digital inclusion, and opportunities for research and innovation. A well-educated population is the foundation of national development,” he said. He further noted that the initiative aligned with His Majesty King Mswati III’s vision for affordable data and youth empowerment, and assured students that “nothing should stand between them and their dreams.”
UNESWA Vice Chancellor Justice Thwala said the partnership marked a significant step in advancing the university’s mission to address national and international needs through teaching, research, innovation and enterprise.“Our students face challenges such as lack of funding and shortage of tools to access critical information. This partnership places the global community in the palm of their hands, removing barriers to information access. It invests directly in the youth, equipping the country’s future leaders and entrepreneurs,” he said.
Chakaza Holdings Chairman Aemon Dlamini emphasised the importance of collaboration between the university’s investment arm and the private sector. “Chakaza is wholly owned by UNESWA, and our mandate is to create value for the university while reducing dependency on government subventions. We are grateful to Eswatini Mobile, who opened their doors when we approached them. This product is a direct result of those engagements and will go a long way in assisting students with their academic pursuits,” he said.
Representing the student body, SRC Secretary General Mncobi Mamba described the launch as “a powerful statement” and “long overdue.” He stressed that data was the foundation of blended learning at UNESWA, used for assignments, research papers and online lectures. “This initiative shows that Eswatini Mobile is more than a corporate giant; it is a partner that truly recognises its customers and invests directly in us. We are deeply grateful, but we also hope this is just the beginning of further collaborations,” he said.
All stakeholders agreed that the Tertiary Student Bundle would not only ease the burden of high internet costs for students but also strengthen public-private partnerships in education. The product will be rolled out first at UNESWA before being extended to other tertiary institutions across Eswatini.
(Courtesy Pics)
