By Tlalane Dlamini
MASEYISINI – The LaKhaya Suspended Bridge project in Maseyisini is nearing its completion date of March 14, 2025, with just 14 days of construction remaining. This 86.3-meter bridge, a partnership between Engineers in Action (EIA) and the Microprojects Programme, will provide a vital link between Kamazonbizwe and Esibovini, benefiting 1,860 residents and 930 schoolchildren by offering a safe passage across the river.
A team from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) arrived in Maseyisini this morning to assist EIA with the bridge’s superstructure. The group, consisting of five students, a faculty advisor, and a technical expert, will spend two weeks working alongside the EIA team to finalise the project.
Ana Jovanovic, EIA Programme Manager, highlighted the importance of international partnerships, saying, “We are deeply grateful to our university chapters from the USA, UK, and Canada for their invaluable contribution. Students are at the heart of our programme, not only providing technical expertise but also helping to fund the bridges they help build.” FAU has been a partner in the Eswatini Bridge Programme since 2022, and this is their fourth year of involvement.
Sibusiso Mbingo, Director of the Microprojects Programme Coordination Unit, welcomed the FAU students and expressed his gratitude for their humanitarian efforts. He acknowledged their skills and commitment, emphasising the importance of their work in Eswatini.
Siboniso Masilela, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, also thanked the students and expressed his honour in witnessing the programme’s progress, noting that this bridge is one of 30 that will be completed by May 2025. He emphasised the impact of climate change on local communities, sharing that, “Climate change has led to severe flooding, that then isolates our communities. Microprojects plays a crucial role in building community infrastructure, and these bridges are an integral part of that programme”.
The LaKhaya Suspended Bridge addresses the dangerous conditions residents, particularly schoolchildren, face when crossing the river, especially during the rainy season. The new bridge will improve access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Engineers in Action, in partnership with the Microprojects Programme, universities, and local communities, has been instrumental in the project’s success. The collaboration of engineers, student volunteers, and community members has ensured the bridge’s structural integrity and longevity.
The March 14, 2025 grand opening will be a significant event for Maseyisini, symbolising progress and the power of global collaboration in infrastructure development. The LaKhaya Suspended Bridge addresses the dangerous conditions residents, particularly schoolchildren, face when crossing the river, especially during the rainy season. The new bridge will improve access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
