BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MTFONGWANENI – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has urged emaSwati to safeguard peace and unity, describing them as the greatest gift they can offer His Majesty King Mswati III and the foundation upon which national development depends.
Addressing residents at Mtfongwaneni Inkhundla after completing a tour of community development projects on Friday, the Prime Minister said His Majesty had consistently advocated for peace, adding that maintaining harmony within communities was essential for the country’s development agenda.
“The greatest gift you can give His Majesty is peace,” he said, adding that where peace prevails, development follows.
The Prime Minister said development could not flourish in an environment of instability, stressing that peace and progress go hand in hand. He encouraged residents of Mtfongwaneni to continue preserving the unity for which the inkhundla is known.
He said he was pleased that he had never heard of conflicts associated with Mtfongwaneni, describing the constituency as an example of peaceful coexistence. He urged residents to maintain that spirit of unity, saying it was the kind of environment that enabled government to implement development programmes successfully.
Dlamini said government remained committed to improving the lives of citizens through expanded access to essential services and economic opportunities. He said the country’s development drive aimed to ensure that every household had access to clean water by 2030 while also expanding access to healthcare services.
He added that government aspired to see Eswatini rank among developed countries through sustained investment in infrastructure, agriculture and community development.
The Prime Minister said government also wanted to ensure that no citizen went hungry and that every person capable of working had an opportunity to earn a living and support their household.
He said it was for this reason that His Majesty issued the Nkwe directive, which continues to guide government’s development agenda by encouraging practical solutions that improve livelihoods and strengthen communities.
Dlamini said achieving those national objectives required cooperation between government and citizens, stressing that unity remained critical to delivering development programmes.
He also called on elected leaders to remain accountable to the people who entrusted them with public office.
The Prime Minister said it was a serious concern when citizens elected representatives to Parliament only for those leaders to abandon the commitments they had made during election campaigns.
He urged Members of Parliament to honour the promises they made to voters and remain focused on addressing the needs of their constituencies.
Dlamini commended Mtfongwaneni Member of Parliament Nathi Mdockies Hlophe, saying residents had made the right choice in electing him to represent them.
He said the MP had demonstrated his commitment to the constituency by ensuring that development initiatives continued to reach communities.
Earlier, the Prime Minister toured several projects across the inkhundla, including water supply schemes, agricultural enterprises, community infrastructure and the Gundvwini Police Post.
The projects included the Hlane/Bulunga Water Project, the Moyeni low-level bridge, a piggery project, a community hall and other agricultural initiatives supported through government programmes.
Dlamini said such projects demonstrated government’s determination to improve living conditions, strengthen food security and create sustainable livelihoods for rural communities.
He said government would continue providing assistance wherever possible to ensure that development projects succeeded and communities benefited from public investment.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged the contribution of Microprojects, describing the organisation as an important extension of government under the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development.
He said Microprojects had played a significant role in implementing many of the projects visited during the tour, helping to improve infrastructure and service delivery in rural communities.
The Prime Minister reiterated that government would continue working with communities and development partners to ensure that projects were completed and delivered lasting benefits to citizens.
He said sustained peace, unity and cooperation would remain essential as government pursued its goal of improving livelihoods and accelerating development across the country. The event was graced by a number of members of parliament including Hosea MP Sifiso Mabuza, Kwaluseni MP Sifiso Shongwe, Gilgal MP Sifiso Gadlela, Mafutseni MP Sabelo Mthethwa, Timphisini MP Sabelo Nsingwane, Manzini North MP Sifiso Mashayinkonjane Nhlengetfwa, Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka who is also Mkhiweni MP and Deputy Senate President Ndumiso Mdluli amongst other dignitaries.
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