Africa-Press – Eswatini. A total of 231 people have expressed interest in acquiring 31 residential plots during the Mankayane Crown Land Residential Property Allocation event held on Saturday, 21 February 2026.
According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the allocation event took place at Siyakhula Hall in Mankayane and attracted a strong turnout of qualifying applicants. The occasion was attended by Housing and Urban Development Minister Appolo Maphalala, Principal Secretary Simon Zwane and other ministry officials. Representatives from the Mankayane Town Board were also present.
Maphalala said he was impressed by the overwhelming response, noting that it demonstrated a high demand for residential property ownership.
“This shows that many people are interested in becoming property owners,” he said, adding that he would report to Cabinet on the level of interest shown, where 231 qualifying applicants are competing for just 31 plots.
The minister emphasised that the Ministry’s objective is to ensure equitable and non-discriminatory access to land. He stressed that Government property disposals, particularly residential plots, would be handled transparently to prevent corruption and ensure fairness.
“A person is supposed to benefit once from the acquisition of these plots,” Maphalala said, explaining that individuals allocated land in one urban area should not simultaneously benefit from similar allocations elsewhere.
He also urged successful beneficiaries to develop their plots without delay, warning that it was unacceptable for serviced land, especially within town boundaries, to remain idle. He encouraged prospective homeowners to consider vertical construction as a way of conserving land, echoing advice previously shared by His Majesty Mswati III during the commissioning of businesses and a road in Kukhanyeni.
Maphalala further noted that Mankayane, alongside Hlathikhulu, remains one of the towns with substantial Government-owned land. Regarding commercial plots, he said urban authorities would be required to follow proper procedures to allocate land to deserving businesses, with the aim of stimulating local economic growth and creating employment opportunities.
Dr Zwane echoed the sentiments of the Minister, stating that the people who showed interest in the event of Mankayane have demonstrated that the town had a potential of contributing in development of not only the Manzini sub-region, but the whole of Manzini region. He further stated that Mankayane had a potential of contributing towards the economic development of Eswatini.
The 231 applicants will now participate in a raffle draw to determine the allocation of the 31 residential plots, marking a significant step towards expanding access to serviced land for housing development in Mankayane.
