BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE – Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE) CEO, Dr. Samson Sithole, rallied his dynamic team, urging them to push boundaries and drive economic growth in the 2025/26 financial year.
Dr. Sithole’s message was one of bold vision and unwavering resolve, inspiring his team to seize every opportunity, innovate relentlessly, and solidify EWADE’s role as a catalyst for national prosperity. “As we step into 2025, I want you to think of one word: unstoppable. Innovation will lead us forward, and in 2025, we are unstoppable,” he proclaimed to his staff at the Tree Tops Game Resort during EWADE’s 2025 Modus Operandi meeting on Tuesday.
Acknowledging the inevitable challenges of implementing transformational projects, Dr. Sithole urged his ‘troops’ to remain resilient. Drawing inspiration from the crow—one of the most intelligent birds in the animal kingdom—he shared a powerful lesson: when faced with obstacles, the crow adapts, learns, and finds creative solutions. “When the world presents us with obstacles, we don’t back down—we pivot, adapt, and innovate. Like the crow that uses tools to obtain food, we will leverage cutting-edge technology, smart thinking, and collaboration to rise above challenges,” he advised.
He introduced a powerful mantra to guide the team throughout the year: “If there’s a way, we’ll find it. If not, we’ll create it.” He emphasized that this mindset would be key to EWADE’s continued success and its impact on the lives of emaSwati.
Expanding EWADE’s Reach and Job Creation
To achieve its vision of economic rejuvenation in 2025, EWADE has set ambitious goals to expand its reach significantly, increasing the number of beneficiaries from 155,170 to a much larger figure through ongoing and upcoming projects. The organization also aims to boost employment opportunities.
The Mkhondvo-Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Project (MNWAP) remains central to this growth, with more jobs expected. This includes 146 positions tied to Mpakeni Dam construction and 500 new roles linked to the E2 billion Main Conveyance System (Component 1B). In the 2024/25 financial year, EWADE projects generated 1,527 new jobs, with MNWAP contributing 916 positions—854 held by local employees working on Mpakeni Dam and 62 foreign specialists providing crucial technical expertise.
The Lower Usuthu Smallholder Irrigation Project Phase II (LUSIP II) has also played a significant role, generating 611 jobs with a strong gender balance—318 males and 293 females. These employment opportunities have been vital in improving rural livelihoods, bolstering local economies, and enhancing socioeconomic resilience, especially in communities most affected by poverty and climate change.
LUSIP II is projected to create an additional 881 jobs in the 2025/26 financial year, continuing its focus on empowering local communities and promoting gender equity in the workforce.
Youth Empowerment and Innovation
To further support employment and innovation, Dr. Sithole introduced the E1.03 billion (US$56.45 million) Youth Empowerment Project, set to launch in April 2025. This flagship initiative aims to tackle youth unemployment by creating 10,000 jobs annually through agripreneurship centers, which will train 15,000 youth each year in commercial integrated agriculture.
The program specifically targets young people aged 18-35, focusing on out-of-school youth and unemployed graduates who struggle to enter the job market. Training centers will be established in key locations, including Gesawu, Lowveld Farmers Training Centre, Nhlangano, Malkerns, and Mpisi.
Dr. Sithole explained that through this initiative, young people would acquire the necessary skills to thrive in the agricultural sector as agripreneurs. The project will provide hands-on training in modern farming techniques, agribusiness management, and value-chain development. By fostering self-sufficiency, reducing food import reliance, and promoting innovation, the initiative aims to lay the foundation for long-term economic resilience.
Transforming Smallholder Agriculture
Another transformative initiative is the launch of the Smallholder Agricultural Productivity Enhancement and Marketing Project (SAPEMP). With an E851.089 million (US$45.5 million) budget sourced from IFAD, the Green Climate Fund, the Government of Eswatini, and private sector partners, SAPEMP is set to revolutionize Eswatini’s agricultural sector.
Dr. Sithole outlined that SAPEMP focuses on climate-resilient and sustainable farming, equipping smallholder farmers to withstand extreme weather events while enhancing their access to domestic and international markets. The initiative is expected to create 2,300 jobs, boost rural incomes, and drive economic development.
“SAPEMP will uphold its commitment to gender equality, with 50% of jobs allocated to males, 40% to females, and 10% to youth. This initiative aims to empower smallholder farmers by improving market access and financial services while promoting climate-resilient farming practices that will safeguard the future of agriculture in Eswatini,” Dr. Sithole stated.
EWADE’s Economic Impact and Future Goals
Reflecting on EWADE’s achievements, Dr. Sithole noted its profound impact, having benefited over 155,000 emaSwati, created over 6,047 jobs, provided sanitation facilities to more than 71,000 people, and delivered potable water to over 68,000 individuals. These efforts have significantly improved living standards and promoted sustainable development.
Additionally, farmer companies under EWADE projects have generated E814.117 million in revenue from sugarcane and alternative crops while remitting E96.375 million in taxes to the national fiscus.
Looking ahead, Dr. Sithole reaffirmed EWADE’s commitment to empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), fostering innovation, and driving competition. Recognizing the critical role of MSMEs in job creation and economic growth, he emphasized EWADE’s dedication to their development.
In the 2024/25 financial year, EWADE awarded contracts totaling E3.343 billion for goods, services, and works across enterprises of all sizes, with E712.509 million (21.3%) allocated to MSMEs for activities such as bush clearing, land preparation, and irrigation system installations.
“This reflects our strong commitment to supporting local businesses and promoting economic growth,” he remarked.
Alignment with National Strategy
Dr. Sithole also emphasized EWADE’s alignment with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Five-Year Strategy (2024-2028), which aims to achieve food sovereignty and elevate smallholder farmers in Eswatini’s agricultural transformation. He stressed that EWADE’s efforts will provide a solid foundation for sustainable development, ensuring the country’s agricultural sector thrives despite climate change and economic challenges.
Concluding his address, Dr. Sithole declared, “EWADE is paving the way for a prosperous and self-sufficient future for Eswatini. Through visionary projects such as the Youth Empowerment Project and SAPEMP, the organization’s commitment to innovation, resilience, and collaboration is setting the stage for long-term economic growth and sustainability.”
He further emphasized, “By empowering youth and smallholder farmers, EWADE is fostering a generation of skilled, self-sufficient individuals who will drive Eswatini’s agricultural and economic transformation, ensuring a brighter, more prosperous future for the nation.”
