By Own Correspondent
MBABANE – In response to the call by his Majesty on decentralization, the Fund is in the process of putting up satellite services, to be complemented by the expansion of Sicanco Semphilo, recently launched in Northern Hhohho.
Fully fledged mobile offices were deployed in Nhlangano, Shiselweni Region, and Buhleni Plaza, Hhohho Region, ensuring that claimants had access to the full suite of services — from registration of new claims to generation of offers and approval of payments. During this exercise, the Fund was able to process more than 100 files.
SMVAF Chief Executive Officer, Khangeziwe Mabuza, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “His Majesty has called for decentralization, and we are proud to say that the Fund is already living that vision. Our mobile offices are one-stop service centers, ensuring that clients do not have to travel long distances to access the help they need. This is about dignity, accessibility, and efficiency.”
The outreach report from the recent outreach exercise highlights the tangible impact of the satellite/mobile offices:
• Nhlangano: 52 claimants assisted, 8 signed offers, 6 general enquiries, and 10 new claims registered. Several cases advanced to investigation, merits assessment, and quantum assessment stages.
• Buhleni: 56 claimants assisted, 8 signed offers, 7 general enquiries, 12 referrals processed, and two loss of support payments completed.
Acting Chief Operations Officer, Phindile Jele, noted: “The numbers show that visibility at grassroot level. In Nhlangano alone, 52 claimants were assisted, while Buhleni saw 56. Beyond the statistics, these represent lives touched and cases moved forward. Our teams ensured that investigations, assessments, and even payments were processed on-site.”
Upon his return from the recent trip abroad, His Majesty underscored the need for decentralization through service buses. The SMVAF’s mobile offices are a practical embodiment of this vision, serving as one-stop centers where claimants can resolve multiple issues in a single visit.
By bridging the gap between citizens and essential services, SMVAF is setting a precedent for other institutions. The mobile office model demonstrates that efficiency, accessibility, and client-centered service delivery can be achieved when institutions embrace innovation and align with national priorities.
