By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – The Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (SMVAF) has justified its E5 million annual sponsorship of the Ingwenyama Cup, positioning it as a strategic move to engage the public and promote road safety awareness.
Board Chairman Zithulele Gina addressed concerns from social media suggesting the fund prioritizes football over compensating accident victims. He clarified that while SMVAF allocates E5 million to the football tournament, a far greater sum—approximately E100 million—is spent annually on compensating accident victims across the country.
“The reports circulating, especially on social media, claim we are not adequately compensating injured people and that we are diverting funds to football. This is not true. As a board, we thoroughly analyzed how to reach the public effectively, and football emerged as the best platform,” Gina said.
He explained that the sponsorship is not only about sports but serves as a vital communication tool to raise awareness about road safety. “When you compare the E100 million spent on accident compensation to the E5 million allocated to football, a reasonable person would see the sponsorship plays an important role. It helps us connect with people in a meaningful way,” Gina added.
The Ingwenyama Cup, one of Eswatini’s premier football tournaments, draws large crowds from all walks of life, providing SMVAF with a direct and impactful way to engage the public. Gina emphasized the effectiveness of this platform, citing the significant turnout at last year’s final despite harsh weather conditions.
“This proves football’s broad appeal and its ability to unite the nation. It allows us to educate people about road safety while also supporting the community through sports,” he said.
The Ingwenyama Cup sponsorship highlights SMVAF’s dual mission of compensating accident victims and reducing road accidents through public education. With the tournament attracting thousands of fans annually, it remains an effective avenue for achieving these goals.
