Africa-Press – Eswatini. After years of tragic river drownings and isolation, the people of Hosea have finally crossed into a new era of safety and connection. The official handover of the 127 metre, Nyakuza suspended footbridge on 25 July 2025, longest in Eswatini, marked a lifelong breakthrough for the community.
Constructed by Engineers in Action and funded by the Microprojects Programme, the bridge now offers a safe and permanent way for residents to cross a river that once posed a serious threat to life. Community members reflected on the past, recalling painful losses when people were swept away by floods.
Hosea MP Sifiso Mabuza thanked MicroProjects for sponsoring the project and praised the Engineers in Action from Duke University for their dedication and hard work. He expressed admiration for the students’ enthusiasm and wished them success in securing jobs in their fields. He also extended appreciation to the Government of His Majesty King Mswati III for enabling the development through support and policy.
Also speaking during the event, Microprojects Programme Director Sibusiso Mbingo encouraged the community to take ownership of the infrastructure. He highlighted that such projects require maintenance and local responsibility to remain sustainable and useful for generations.
In recognition of his service to the people, Mbingo was gifted two goats by the Chiefs and the MP, a gesture of appreciation for how he consistently prioritises the needs of rural communities.
Sikhondze, who directed the programme on the day, also thanked everyone who contributed to the project’s success. He humbly asked for forgiveness from anyone he may have clashed with during the process, noting that disagreements are part of progress when people are working passionately toward a shared goal.
The ceremony drew residents and leaders from both sides of the river, including the chiefs of Liba and Ebufaneni. It was a moment of unity and gratitude, as the long awaited footbridge will not only save lives but also ease movement for schoolchildren, the elderly, and daily commuters.
After six months of dedicated work, Duke University students which were the engineer s celebrated the successful completion of the Nyakuza suspended footbridge with joyful song and dance marking the end of a life changing project. They thanked the Sikhondze family for offering them a place to stay during the construction period.
The cutting of the ribbon marked a moment of shared relief and celebration among the gathered community. With the Nyakuza footbridge finally in place, it now stands as a lasting symbol of strength and progress born from loss, built with hope, and set to protect lives for generations to come.
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