BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MANZINI – Government has thrown its weight behind the multi-million-emalangeni Manzini Mall and Bus Rank expansion project, with the upgraded transport hub expected to double its current capacity while creating room for greater commercial growth in the country’s economic capital.
This emerged during a joint tour held on June 8, 2026, where Minister of Housing and Urban Development Hon. Appolo Maphalala and Hon. Manqoba Khumalo, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, inspected the ongoing development together with Manzini Municipality councillors and representatives of public transport operators’ organisations.
The ministers reviewed progress on the construction of the new Manzini Mall and the rehabilitation of the Manzini Main Bus Rank, a project expected to transform the city’s commercial landscape while improving public transport infrastructure for thousands of commuters.
The upgraded bus rank is expected to double the capacity of the current facility and provide improved infrastructure for commuters, vendors and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The development is also expected to attract investment, create business opportunities and strengthen Manzini’s position as the country’s commercial hub.
As part of preparations for the construction works, the delegation toured proposed temporary relocation sites for cross-border vehicles, buses, minibuses and vendors. The sites identified by the municipality are the Old Trade Fair grounds, Riverstone Mall and the Satellite Bus Rank.
The temporary relocation is intended to ensure that construction activities proceed without disrupting transport services and business operations. Discussions during the tour indicated that the relocation process could begin around June 20 as stakeholder consultations enter an advanced stage.
Minister Maphalala commended the Manzini Municipality for successfully coordinating a complex development project involving multiple stakeholders and thousands of daily users.
“This is a major development for the city and the country. The new bus rank will be twice the size of the current one, improving services for commuters and creating a more conducive environment for businesses,” he said.
Maphalala also expressed gratitude for the presence of Hon. Manqoba Khumalo, saying it demonstrated government’s commitment to working together in delivering development projects and showed that government operates in unity.
Hon. Manqoba Khumalo described the project as a strategic investment that would stimulate economic growth, attract business opportunities and modernise Manzini’s urban landscape.
He said it was important for the two ministries to meet regularly and review progress on the project, particularly because of its complexity and significance to the country’s economic development.
“As the first phase nears completion, preparations for the next phase, which involves the construction of the mall, are already underway and a contractor has been identified,” said Hon. Khumalo.
The ministers reiterated government’s commitment to supporting the project, which is expected to improve public transport services, enhance trading conditions for vendors and SMEs, and unlock new economic opportunities in the heart of Manzini.
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