BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
EZULWINI – In a move that blends corporate responsibility with heartfelt compassion, FNB Eswatini and Pick n Pay Lojaf have handed over a donation worth E80 000 to support maternity wards in 11 public health facilities across the Kingdom.
The handover, which took place on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the FNB Head Office in Ezulwini, is set to provide a dignified start to life for approximately 250 newborn babies and their mothers. This collaborative effort specifically targets families from underprivileged backgrounds who often struggle to afford basic essentials during the critical first days of a child’s life.
Speaking on behalf of the FNB Eswatini CEO, Dr. Mncedzi Ngomane, the Executive Head of Retail, emphasized that this initiative was not merely a corporate transaction but a grassroots effort powered by the bank’s own staff. The donation was facilitated through the FNB Employee Volunteer Programme, a structured platform where employees donate their time, skills, and financial resources to community causes.
“I am proud to share that this consignment includes significant contributions from our FNB Eswatini staff,” Dr. Ngomane said. “Our ‘FNBers’ have partnered with us to offer ‘Help that Works,’ and as a business, we match these efforts to ensure our impact is doubled. It is this spirit of volunteerism that defines our 30th anniversary celebrations.”
The initiative falls under the bank’s broader “30 Acts of Help” campaign, which was launched in September to commemorate FNB’s three decades of operation in Eswatini. The bank recognized that for many mothers, the arrival of a new baby is often overshadowed by the anxiety of limited resources.
While the focus remains on the newborns, the partnership with Pick n Pay Lojaf ensures that the mothers themselves are not forgotten. Dr. Ngomane extended a special appreciation to the retail giant for their role in the project.
“Pick n Pay Lojaf immediately raised their hand when we sought partners for this programme,” he noted. “Their contribution is centered on taking care of the mothers, providing them with essential maternity clothing and comfort items. We believe that a healthy, supported mother is vital for the early development of the baby.”
By providing clothing and essentials for the mothers, Pick n Pay Lojaf aims to reduce the “cycle of worry and anxiety” that often accompanies hospital stays for those in needy communities.
To ensure no region was left behind, the partners were deliberate in selecting 11 facilities across all four regions of the country. The donation includes high-quality baby clothes, blankets, and maternity essentials designed to protect infants from health risks associated with exposure.
The beneficiary facilities are:
- Mbabane Government Hospital
- RFM Hospital (Manzini)
- Hlathikhulu Government Hospital
- Nhlangano Health Centre
- Sithobela Health Centre
- Pigg’s Peak Government Hospital
- Matsanjeni Health Centre
- Dvokolwako Health Centre
- Mankayane Government Hospital
- Good Shepherd Hospital (Siteki)
- Mkhuzweni Health Centre (Buhleni)
The donation was received by representatives from the Ministry of Health and various health facilities. Dr. Ngomane thanked the Ministry for their collaboration, noting that the private sector’s role is to complement the government’s efforts in achieving sustainable development and improving the welfare of Emaswati.
“We trust that these items will reach the intended beneficiaries and bring hope, comfort, and dignity to mothers and their newborns,” Dr. Ngomane concluded. “As FNB Eswatini, we are honoured to walk this journey with you. Sitintile Eswatini futsi asiyindzawo (We are rooted in Eswatini and we are going nowhere).”
The event ended with a symbolic handover of the gift hampers, which will be immediately dispatched to the various hospitals to ensure that “Christmas babies” born this week receive their gifts in time for the holidays.
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