BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI- Eswatini is accelerating its drive towards universal water access, with 18 constituencies targeted under a five-year programme and 10 water schemes already completed and commissioned as the country works towards ensuring every Swati has reliable access to safe water by 2030.
The Universal Water Access Programme is focusing on communities facing some of the country’s most pressing water challenges, with the first phase seeking to ensure residents do not walk for more than 30 minutes to reach the nearest water point, while household connections are prioritised where water sources have sufficient capacity.
Speaking on Eswatini TV’s Kusile Breakfast Show on August 13, 2026, World Vision Eswatini Programme Development Specialist Mlamuli Busika said the programme had completed its first year and was building on progress made in expanding access to water in underserved communities.
The programme is being implemented through collaboration between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, World Vision Eswatini and the Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC).
Busika said the initiative was part of the broader national effort to fulfil the call for every Swati to have access to water by 2030.
“We found it very important to update Eswatini on this programme because it is part of the King’s call when he opened the second and third session of the 12th Parliament, when he made a call for all development partners to support Government in ensuring that every Swati has access to water by 2030,” he said.
The programme is being rolled out against a significant water access gap, particularly in rural communities. Busika said rural water coverage currently stood at about 58 per cent, meaning many households still faced difficulties accessing reliable supplies.
“The gap is still big in terms of water access,” he said.
Despite these challenges, the programme has already delivered tangible results. Since its launch on July 5, 2023, 10 water schemes have been completed and commissioned, representing an investment of approximately E40 million.
Where water sources have sufficient capacity, the programme aims to provide taps at household level. In areas where water volumes are limited, communal water stands are being installed, with several households sharing a single water point.
Water quality remains a key requirement. Busika said extensive testing is conducted before any water source is developed.
“We test for over 40 elements to make sure that before we can even do the construction of a scheme, we have assured ourselves and all the national standards that those waters are safe for consumption,” he said.
He added that water quality is monitored periodically after construction because conditions can change over time.
The programme is also taking a different approach to the sustainability of rural water infrastructure, seeking to address breakdowns that have affected some existing systems.
Busika said maintenance and sustainability plans were now incorporated into projects from the design stage. Four water schemes are currently being piloted under an insurance model designed to help communities respond quickly to major breakdowns.
“If the community has a breakdown of the water pump or the major components of the system, the insurance is able to back up that or pay the community to replace that within 24 to 48 hours,” he said.
The programme is also introducing water meters at community level, allowing households to pay according to the amount of water they use rather than relying entirely on traditional fixed contributions.
EWSC is playing a key role, particularly where new community schemes can connect to existing major pipelines. Busika said this approach would allow the corporation to support maintenance while appropriate tariff systems are incorporated into the schemes.
However, the programme’s significance extends beyond infrastructure.
Busika described water as a foundation for education, health, food security and economic activity.
“A child, for them to go to school without being late and learn, needs water,” he said, explaining that children who wake up early to fetch water can arrive late at school and lose valuable learning time.
Water scarcity also affects farmers and entrepreneurs who need dependable supplies to produce food, operate businesses and generate income.
Busika further raised concerns about communities relying on vulnerable water sources, particularly wells exposed to contamination from livestock and runoff. Such contamination, he said, can expose communities to illnesses including diarrhoea and skin infections.
For the new programme year, attention will shift to Siphofaneni, Mtsambama, Shiselweni 1, Ekukhanyeni, Lobamba and Ndzingeni, while the previous year’s focus included Matsanjeni, Nkhaba, Shiselweni 2, Mhlume, Mhlambanyatsi and Khubuta.
As Eswatini moves towards 2030, the Universal Water Access Programme is seeking to transform water from a daily struggle into a dependable foundation for healthier communities, stronger livelihoods, improved education and greater food security.
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(Courtesy Pic)
