BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
MBABANE — Deputy Prime Minister Honourable Thulisile Dladla on Friday, 23 January 2026, issued a stern warning on declining family responsibility, saying irresponsible domestic choices continue to undermine national development.
She was speaking while conducting a nationwide assessment of damaged roads and bridges following recent adverse weather conditions. Dladla was touring affected areas as part of government’s disaster response coordinated through the National Disaster Management Agency, assessing the impact of heavy rains on road infrastructure and community access.
During the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed concern over the growing number of households where children are left without adequate parental support, linking the situation to persistent poverty and increased socio economic vulnerability.
She stressed that while children are a blessing, responsible parenthood, self introspection, and thoughtful family planning were essential to ensuring dignity, stability, and security within families.
“These problems are the ones that delay the country’s progress. Let us stay focused and look at the kind of life you wish to live, look at what can deny you that life, and then refrain from doing it,” Dladla said.She noted that domestic instability places additional strain on government resources, particularly during disaster recovery periods, when vulnerable families require urgent support.
The Deputy Prime Minister further called on communities to organize themselves into associations that can acquire practical skills and establish sustainable businesses, reinforcing a message frequently advanced by Minister of Tinkhundla Sikhumbuzo Dlamini.
She explained that organized community groups could venture into income generating projects such as operating minibuses for school transport or acquiring tractors, especially as government works to rehabilitate damaged roads and bridges.
The Deputy Prime Minister explained that if youth or community members owned equipment such as tractors, government would hire them to undertake certain work. “The Rural Development Fund is here in place to help communities acquire such resources. Do not fold your arms,” she said
Dladla also urged young people to take advantage of the Youth Enterprise Fund to start businesses, emphasizing that empowerment opportunities already exist for those willing to act.
She reaffirmed government’s commitment to poverty reduction, stating that meaningful and lasting change requires responsible personal choices, community cooperation, and active participation in economic development initiatives.
