Africa-Press – Eswatini. The decentralisation of basic services to rural communities remains a key mandate given to government at Sibaya, according to Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development Sikhumbuzo Dlamini and Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo.
The two Cabinet ministers made the remarks at Lunkuntu under Nkilongo Inkhundla, where they joined Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla during a tour of five community development projects. The projects include the construction of a primary school, clinic, community hall, shopping complex, and a bridge.
In his remarks, Minister Dlamini said the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development carries the responsibility of coordinating all government ministries on matters of service delivery, which is why the ministry participated in the tour in support of the Ministries of Health, Education and Training, and Commerce.
“Their Majesties gave us a mandate to ensure the provision of basic services. The Ministry of Education is constructing the school, the Ministry of Health has provided a clinic, and the shopping complex is under the Ministry of Commerce. All these efforts are aimed at bringing services closer to the people, which is government’s core mandate,” said Dlamini.
He emphasised that the directive to decentralise services was clearly articulated by His Majesty King Mswati III at Sibaya.
Dlamini further noted that the inclusion of a community hall among the projects would provide residents with a proper, enclosed space to hold meetings without being affected by adverse weather conditions such as rainfall.
Sharing similar sentiments, Minister Nxumalo said the joint presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development demonstrated government’s commitment to working collaboratively.
“This is what Their Majesties sent us to do – to go out and work together, supporting one another so that we can achieve success,” he said.
Nxumalo added that the DPM’s background as a former teacher enabled her to fully appreciate education-related challenges, noting that she has been supportive of the Ministry of Education and Training.
He revealed that teachers have already been recruited for the new primary school and that classes are expected to commence between 25 February and early March 2026.
The minister recalled that when residents were relocated to Lunkuntu for sugarcane cultivation, the area was extremely remote and lacked basic facilities such as schools and health institutions.
Nxumalo concluded by expressing appreciation for the support he continues to receive from fellow Cabinet ministers.
