LUVE – Care for community and learners took centre stage at La-Mawandla High School when Eswatini Mobile visited the institution under its “Eswatini Mobile Cares” programme.
During the visit, the telecommunications company donated 100 personal care packs to learners while encouraging pupils to pursue education with confidence and determination.
Fifty packs were prepared for boys and another fifty for girls. The packs contained basic hygiene items, while those for girls also included sanitary pads intended to help them attend school with dignity and confidence.
Welcoming the delegation, the school’s head teacher Nozipho Dlamini described the company as a preferred service provider and thanked it for returning value to the communities it serves.
“You are the network of choice, and you are here to give back to the society that sustains you,” she said while addressing the visiting team and learners.
She added that the school appreciated both the gesture and the message behind the visit.
Addressing the gathering, Sydney Sichula, Chief Executive Officer of Eswatini Mobile, said the visit formed part of the company’s outreach initiative known as “Eswatini Mobile Cares,” which engages communities across the country.
“It is truly an honour and a privilege to be here with you today,” he said.
“We are gathered here as part of an important programme called ‘Eswatini Mobile Cares’. This programme reflects who we are as a company and what we believe our responsibility is to the people of this kingdom.”
Sichula said the company believed its role extended beyond providing telecommunications services.
“At Eswatini Mobile, we understand that our purpose goes far beyond providing mobile connectivity. We are here to serve communities, uplift citizens and contribute meaningfully to the future of our nation,” he said.
According to the CEO, the telecommunications provider was founded on the belief that emaSwati could build institutions capable of supporting national development.
He said the company’s chairman, Michelo Shakantu, drew inspiration from the national vision of King Mswati III, which emphasises progress and prosperity for the country.
“Eswatini Mobile itself was born from a powerful belief that emaSwati can build world-class institutions that help shape the development of our country,” he said.
The network has since grown to connect hundreds of thousands of subscribers across the kingdom.
As a home-grown operator, Sichula said the company understood the everyday realities faced by citizens and businesses.
He explained that from the outset the company had taken deliberate steps to reduce the cost of communication services.
“From the beginning, we made a deliberate and bold decision to bring down the cost of communication in this country because we believe connectivity should not be a luxury but something every citizen can afford,” he said.
He added that by lowering its voice and data costs, the company had contributed to shifts in pricing trends within the telecommunications market.
“Today, our network connects hundreds of thousands of citizens across the kingdom, and we continue to ensure that families, pupils, entrepreneurs and businesses can remain connected and participate in the digital economy,” he said.
Turning to the learners, Sichula encouraged them to remain focused on their education and believe in their potential.
“To the learners here today, I want you to know something very important. You represent the future of this kingdom,” he said.
“Among you are future leaders, innovators, teachers, doctors, engineers and entrepreneurs who will shape the next chapter of Eswatini. Your education is the foundation that will unlock those opportunities.”
He also noted that while the telecommunications sector includes large international operators, the company carries the identity of a locally founded network.
“There are large global companies operating in this space, but there is only one network that carries the pride of being truly home-grown,” he said.
The CEO also thanked teachers at La-Mawandla High School for their role in guiding learners and shaping their future.
“To the teachers and leadership of this school, thank you for the incredible work you do every day in shaping these young minds,” he said.
One of the learners, Abraham Dlamini, delivered a vote of thanks on behalf of the pupils.
He expressed appreciation to the company for the donation and encouragement offered during the visit, thanking the team for supporting learners and including the school in the Eswatini Mobile Cares programme.
The event concluded with the distribution of the personal care packs as the company continued its outreach activities in communities across the country.
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