BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
LOBAMBA – Members of Parliament have called for a review of the requirements to access the Regional Development Fund (RDF), proposing that the minimum group size be reduced to make the programme more accessible to communities.
The issue was raised on 10 March 2026 during the House of Assembly Portfolio Committee session on the Budget Debate for the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development. MPs argued that the current requirement for a group of at least 10 members often makes it difficult for community members to organise themselves and benefit from the fund.
Lomahasha Member of Parliament Zanele Mashaba suggested that the minimum group size be reduced from 10 to between five and six members. She explained that it can be challenging to bring together 10 individuals who share the same vision and commitment to a particular project.
“In many cases it is difficult to find 10 people who have the same goals and dedication to making a project succeed,” Mashaba said, adding that smaller groups could work more efficiently and still deliver meaningful community projects.
Mashaba also highlighted the importance of improving infrastructure that connects communities to government services. She called for the construction and upgrading of roads leading to imiphakatsi and tinkhundla centres to ensure residents can easily access services offered at these facilities.
Her proposal received support from Matsanjeni South Member of Parliament Sabelo Ndlangamandla, who also recommended that the group requirement be reduced to at least six members.
Ndlangamandla said accessibility to tinkhundla centres remains a challenge in some constituencies due to poor road infrastructure. He stressed that the construction of new centres should be accompanied by proper road networks to ensure that communities can reach them without difficulty.
He noted that during heavy rains he sometimes struggles to reach the tinkhundla centre in his constituency, which highlights the need for improved roads in rural areas.
“Building tinkhundla centres without ensuring proper road access can undermine the purpose of bringing services closer to the people,” Ndlangamandla said.
He further suggested that part of the funds allocated for the construction of tinkhundla centres could be directed towards developing roads that connect communities to these facilities.
“As Members of Parliament we continue to raise the issue of road infrastructure,” he said, adding that other MPs, including Phondo MP Bonginkosi Dube, have consistently highlighted the importance of improving access roads to community facilities.
Maseyisini Member of Parliament Nokuthula Dlamini also supported the proposal to reduce the minimum number of members required to qualify for RDF funding. She recommended lowering the requirement to at least five people, noting that experience has shown that smaller groups are often able to work together more effectively.
According to the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development, the Regional Development Fund is designed to support community-based and income-generating projects aimed at improving livelihoods across the country. The programme plays an important role in empowering communities and encouraging local development initiatives.
To access the fund, applicants are currently required to form a group consisting of at least 10 emaSwati, usually from the same constituency. The group must submit a project proposal through the local tinkhundla office with the assistance of Community Development Officers.
Before a project can be approved, it must first receive endorsement at the umphakatsi level to confirm that the land or project site has the support of the local chiefdom. This process ensures that community initiatives align with local leadership structures and benefit residents.
In addition, the group must be verified by the tinkhundla council as a legitimate and registered entity, such as a cooperative, association or community group, before the application can proceed for funding consideration.
MPs expressed optimism that reviewing the group size requirement could encourage greater participation in the programme and allow more communities to access support for development initiatives. They emphasised that improving both funding accessibility and infrastructure would strengthen local development and enhance service delivery across the country.
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