BY PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
MANZINI – The George Hotel was alive with business energy on Monday morning as the Municipal Council of Manzini sat down with the city’s top corporate players to chart the way forward under the 2030 Integrated Development Plan (IDP).
Dups United Holdings, AutoZone, Galp, Build It, Mkhiwa Clinic, Asante Guest House, African Alliance, and the School Bus Association were among the stakeholders who joined Mayor Wesley Dlamini, CEO Lungile Dlamini, councillors and municipal officials for the IDP Feedback Breakfast Meeting.
Opening the session, Municipal Council CEO Lungile Dlamini outlined the meeting’s agenda before introducing the Mayor, who wasted no time in making his message clear:
“It is an honour and privilege to stand before you today to present and deliberate upon two critical strategic guiding frameworks for the city’s development.”
Mayor Wesley Dlamini stressed that the IDP and Town Planning Scheme were the result of a highly consultative process.
“We managed to reach over 800 stakeholders who made contributions in the decision-making of the developmental direction of the city,” he said, adding, “We understood and appreciated all your inputs and needs, and these were factored into the crafting of these documents.”
Acknowledging the economic scars of the pandemic, the Mayor said, “These documents were developed at a period where the municipality was still recovering from the impacts of COVID-19, which affected all our stakeholders. We are very much inspired by your resilience for bouncing back and continuing to keep Manzini City the vibrant economic hub of the country.”
The Mayor also made a call for stronger partnerships: “This aspiration calls for increased levels of collaboration and information sharing to maximise on the strengths and capabilities of each and every one of us present here today.”
Head of Strategy Sizwe Dlamini revealed a five-year capital investment plan, including upgrades to Fairview, Zakhele, Lwandle and Madonsa roads in partnership with the Ministry of Tinkhundla, a solar energy system for the council offices, and enhancements to walkways, park spaces and welfare facilities.
CEO Lungile Dlamini added that Manzini’s transformation into a smart city was already underway, with surveillance cameras installed and talks with private partners ongoing.
She confirmed that African Alliance will build a state-of-the-art hotel on the existing golf course site, with a new and improved golf course planned at a different location.
Pastor Zachariah Mtsetfwa of VOC Radio applauded the development plan, pledging media support and proposing a partnership to promote it to the public.
Closing his remarks, Mayor Dlamini reaffirmed the council’s pledge to work hand-in-hand with stakeholders: “Your feedback and inputs are of paramount importance to us as we plan solutions for taking the city forward.”
