Africa-Press – Eswatini. His Majesty King Mswati III has been praised by SADC ministers of water affairs and energy for his compelling speech at the AU-Africa Water Investment Programme (AU-AIP) Summit in Cape Town this week.
The summit, hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, aimed to mobilise US$30 billion annually by 2030 for climate-resilient water infrastructure to bridge Africa’s water investment gap. Minister for Natural Resources and Energy Prince Lonkhokhela revealed that SADC ministers from four countries, collaborating with their South African counterpart, met virtually every Sunday to plan the summit. He stated: “Fears were high that leaders might not attend due to competing events like the SADC Heads of State Summit in Madagascar.”
Prince Lonkhokhela added: “The ministers were delighted by His Majesty’s presence, which elevated the summit’s status. His iconic address succinctly outlined the funding challenges for water projects across Africa.” The ministers requested that their appreciation be conveyed to the King, whose speech boosted morale and lent gravitas to the event.
The King’s address covered regional cooperation on water issues, Eswatini’s water programmes, and a call to development partners to address the US$30 billion funding gap. Prince Lonkhokhela noted: “Financiers were impressed by the King’s emphasis on funding needs.” He highlighted Eswatini’s role as host to two regional water affairs offices at Dlan’ubeka Building, led by emaSwati, which strengthen regional coordination.
Eswatini’s bankable projects include the Nondvo Multi-purpose Dam and raising the Hawane Dam wall. The minister explained: “To secure funding, we must prove projects generate income through water services or energy. The Luphohlo Dam project will also supply clean water to Mbabane and Ezulwini, addressing population growth.”
Prince Lonkhokhela stressed that while the Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC) is not profit-driven, it must repay loans and maintain infrastructure, necessitating tariffs despite water being a free resource.
EWSC MD ENCOURAGED BY KING’S SUMMIT SPEECH
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – Jabulile Mashwama, Managing Director of the Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC), expressed inspiration following His Majesty King Mswati III’s speech at the AU-Africa Water Investment Programme (AU-AIP) Summit on Wednesday.
Mashwama, who attended the summit, said: “The King’s speech was a call to action, urging prioritisation of water access for all emaSwati.” She described the address as both encouraging and challenging due to the high cost of capital for water, a social good, and the adverse impacts of climate change on achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6—clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.
She added: “As emaSwati, we feel honoured that His Majesty is concerned about every citizen’s wellbeing. His statement that water is the cornerstone of development resonated deeply.”
Mashwama outlined EWSC’s funding needs, including the Manzini Water and Sanitation Project covering five tinkhundla and the Eswatini Water Supply Project in Shiselweni, both requiring additional funds for wider reticulation. She stated: “Growing towns like Buhleni and Malkerns urgently need investment. The Nondvo Dam feasibility study is complete, promising water storage for the industrial corridor and economic growth.”
For sustainability, raising the Hawane Dam wall and rolling out prepaid metering nationwide are priorities. Mashwama concluded: “These projects align with the summit’s goal to secure investment for water security.”
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