Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla officially handed over four newly built houses to vulnerable families following heavy rains that affected parts of the country, after His Majesty King Mswati III gave a directive for completed houses to be opened despite some of the pledged homes still under construction, to ensure immediate shelter, safety and dignity for those in need.
The handover forms part of a housing initiative announced by His Majesty during his visit to Madlangemphisi Inkhundla in March, where he pledged 10 houses for the elderly. After assessments revealed that more families were living in severe conditions, the programme was expanded to 18 houses to reach more vulnerable households.
Three houses were funded by the Eswatini Government through the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), while one was financed by the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF). The event was also attended by the area Member of Parliament, Hon Allen Vilane, who donated brand new curtains for all the newly built houses. He expressed deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mswati III for his generosity and said the houses are well constructed and of good quality, showing true care for the people.
The first house was handed over to Maliba Motsa of Zandondo, who had lived for years in a collapsing stick and mud structure. His children had been forced to live elsewhere due to unsafe conditions, leaving him alone and struggling. Speaking during the handover, Motsa expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Deputy Prime Minister, saying he still cannot believe what Government has done for him. He also thanked the Bucopho for paving the way for his situation to be recognised and for ensuring assistance was provided.
The second house went to Khumbu Thulisile Mhlanga, a 52-year-old single mother of five. She had started building her own house but could not complete it due to financial challenges, leaving her family crowded in one room. Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla stepped in to ensure the house was completed, providing the family with a safe and dignified home. In tears, Mhlanga gave thanks to God and the Deputy Prime Minister for restoring her hope and dignity. She said, “I know exactly how it is like to stay with a grown-up son in a one room house, when you want to bath I’ll ask him to close his eyes because you can’t take him out because sometimes it would be raining. I always dreamed of having a house like this one day.”
The third house was handed over to Nandi Nyamane of Mzaceni, a widow raising four children. She also broke down in tears, saying she could not believe that she now owns a house. For years, lack of space forced some of her children to live with relatives. With the support of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, her family has now been reunited. She thanked Government and His Majesty for giving her family a chance to live together again in dignity and comfort.
The final house was handed over to 68 year old Simeon Dlamini of Sihhoye, funded by ENPF. Dlamini expressed joy and appreciation, saying the house has brought peace and security into his life. He thanked His Majesty, the Deputy Prime Minister and ENPF for remembering him and giving him a safe place to call home in his old age.
Deputy Prime Minister Dladla thanked ENPF for its contribution and praised the unity of the Inkhundla council and all stakeholders. She said the collective spirit of compassion and commitment had helped transform the initial plan of 10 houses into 18, ensuring more vulnerable families receive proper shelter.
She said this unity and shared purpose reflects true care for the people and remains key in driving meaningful change in communities across the country.
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