Africa-Press – Eswatini. Acting Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla on 04 February 2026 handed over newly constructed disaster response houses to three vulnerable families, including a child headed household, in Motshane and Madlangemphisi Inkhundla.
Dladla officiated the handover at Ntambande Mpolonjeni under Motshane Inkhundla, where a new house was opened for 70 year old Gogo Lucy Ntombane Motsa, whose home was destroyed by a severe storm nearly two years ago. The houses were constructed through the National Disaster Management Agency following assessments conducted under the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office.
Gogo Lucy’s previous structure had deteriorated beyond repair after the storm, leaving her exposed to harsh weather conditions and unable to rebuild due to lack of resources. Through the intervention, she received a two roomed house, a water tank, a toilet, and a makeshift kitchen.
Motshane Member of Parliament Wilfred Nkambule said the housing intervention had restored both dignity and health to the elderly beneficiary. “When I visited her after the disaster, she was very sick and could not walk properly. After the construction of the house, she is now well. I am made to believe that poverty is a sickness. Thank you DPM for healing the nation through building these houses,” said Nkambule.
Two additional houses were handed over under Madlangemphisi Inkhundla. However, a third house belonging to Gogo Ntombemhlophe Masilela of Mavula could not be officially opened as she was critically ill and had been admitted to hospital.
At Dvokolwako community, Gogo Sarah Mahlalela received a new home after living in unsafe conditions for 18 years following the death of her husband. She described her previous house as dangerous and uninhabitable. “My old house had holes and was leaking. Snakes would enter, and it was unsafe. I never thought I would live in such a beautiful house in my lifetime,” she said.
A child headed household at Nkambeni also benefited from the programme after losing their mother. Through collaboration between the Methodist Church and the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, land was secured for the family, and they were provided with goats and fencing. The Acting Prime Minister further committed that the house would be connected to electricity and water.
Addressing the communities, Dladla said His Majesty King Mswati III had initially directed the construction of 10 houses under the Inkhundla, but following thorough assessments of need, the number was increased to 18 to ensure that more vulnerable families were assisted.
The housing initiative forms part of government’s disaster response and social protection programme aimed at safeguarding the welfare of citizens affected by extreme weather events and prolonged vulnerability.
