BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – It is the vision of Eswatini Government to be Africa’s best provider of quality houses.
This was said by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla today, December 23, 2024 when she handed over two houses for people with disability in Kukhanyeni Constituency in the Manzini Region. One of the beneficiaries is Joy Dlamini (48) of Nkiliji, and the other one is Siyabonga Mtsetfwa of Enswaceni Chiefdom.
Making her remarks during the event, Dladla said they were in a mission to ensure that all Emaswati should be removed from unsafe housing that could be a danger to their lives. “We want this country to be rated as number one in provision of quality houses to its people, which are safe to live in,” Dladla said.
The DPM believed that such a mammoth task could be achievable and Emaswati had to believe that as well. She discouraged Emaswati from listening to naysayers, who could believe that it was impossible for Government to achieve this great vision. She also remarked that such a vision was in line with the command issued by His Majesty King Mswati III during Sibaya, when he ordered Government to deliver efficient services to Emaswati, in the ‘Nkwe’ spirit.
She said Eswatini was already at an advantage because most of Emaswati still lived in the communities, where there was still land. The only thing that needed to be corrected was to ensure that there was proper housing, which Government was working on. She also revealed that next year, Government was going to help in the establishment of 40 houses for people considered to be vulnerable.
According to the DPM, they were supposed to open two other houses before Christmas. However, that was not to be, as there was only one day left before Christmas. She said they were going to see if it was possible to open the houses after Christmas or not. She thanked all those who made it possible for the houses to be handed over, stating that they also had Kukhanyeni Inkhundla Council to thank, as it was working around the clock to ensure that people under that constituency had better lives.
Dladla also praised Kukhanyeni Member of Parliament (MP) Apollo Maphalala, who is also Minister of Housing and Urban Development, for showing always displaying a high level of wisdom whenever they worked with him at Cabinet level. She pleaded with residents of Kukhanyeni to also ensure they benefitted from such wisdom from Maphalala.
As Christmas draws closer, Dladla implored Emaswati to play a role in alleviating gender-based violence. She also urged the nation to ensure they were responsible and did what they were supposed to do. She warned irresponsible fathers and mothers, saying the DPMO had now purchased vehicles they would use to call them to account.
She said people who did not take care of their parents and children were going to be exposed and be dealt with, accordingly. Maphalala, when making his remarks, thanked all those who made it to the event. She stated that the Dlamini was helped in her parental home, which was once a respected one, just like all homes in the country.
Maphalala said while he was still a young boy, growing up in the area, he used to help during the ploughing season at this homestead. Unfortunately, the home disintegrated and it became concerning to all of the residents of Nkiliji. He expfressed hope that the home would be back to its former self, now that a new house had been handed over.
The minister described Dladla as a stabilising factor at Cabinet because of the experience she had in politics. He said Dladla was the one who calmed down all those whom she worked with when things seemed to be heating up. He pleaded with Dladla to continue working this way and help the vulnerable people, including those with disabilities.