By Phesheya Ian Kunene
NTFONJENI – Two Hhohho communities are one step closer to better access and safety as Microprojects breaks ground on low-level crossing bridges in Ntfonjeni and Tjaneni.
The bridge projects, launched this week, are part of a wider rural development effort aimed at connecting remote homesteads to schools, clinics and the main tarred roads, especially during the rainy season.
Chairperson of the Buhle Bemgobodze Bridge Committee in Ntfonjeni, Jethro Dlamini, said the project would bring relief to residents who have struggled for years to access services.
“This bridge will be helpful to children going to school and to families needing to reach the shops and health centres. It connects us to the tarred road,” he said.
The community has already mobilised support by collecting and transporting construction stones to the site. Dlamini said the gesture showed how ready and committed locals were to making the project a success.
At Tjaneni, the construction of the Tfukutfuku low-level bridge is also underway. The contractor appealed for cooperation from residents, saying it would speed up completion and ensure that the bridge serves the community as intended.
“With the support of the people, we will deliver a quality structure that meets their needs,” he said.
The bridges are expected to improve mobility and safety, particularly in times of flooding when many communities are cut off. For years, residents have been forced to navigate rising rivers, risking their lives to access essential services.
The Microprojects Programme continues to prioritise community involvement in its projects, encouraging locals to take ownership of infrastructure that directly impacts their daily lives.
Local leaders say these developments bring real progress to rural Eswatini and set the foundation for more inclusive growth.
As the construction begins, the people of Ntfonjeni and Tjaneni look forward to finally walking across bridges that will bring them closer to opportunity.
