Just last week I was complaining about the hosting of the Eswatini Investor Conference in a posh place. It is not because I have anything against the venue, but I have a problem with government in general hosting events that are supposed to benefit the masses in five star venues where the same old faces are invited to look pretty or handsome.
I read last Friday that next week we are also hosting the Eswatini Local Government Conference scheduled for Esibayeni Lodge (June 4-6) where 500 participants will convene.
The very same announcement of the conference was again held at Esibayeni Lodge where government officers and municipalities representatives were in attendance.
How difficult was it for the two minister’s involved Nkwene MP Sikhumbuzo Dlamini and Khukhanyeni MP Apollo Maphalala to call a press conference to announce that there would be a conference next week. Instead no, the very same stakeholders who will be at the conference were called to have a free lunch.
The ministry of tinkhundla administration and development has been very busy with introducing to us Rural Development Fund projects which among others was the construction of halls. Why isn’t the event being hosted in one of the community halls spread across the country? Anyway my introduction has tended to be long but bengendlalela.
Last week I had the honour of joining the EswatiniBank executive management, the board and members of the media on a tour of E150 million bank financed projects. Needless to say I was impressed because some Emaswati are hardworking and visionary out there. Of these projects we personally witnessed 380 jobs which were created by the banks financing.
I must say I was quite impressed with the visit to Vulematfuba Farmers (Pty) Ltd at Gamula and Malabane Farmers (Pty) Ltd at Ndzevane.
At Malabane Farmers we were met by both male and female farmers who were quite happy to see us, I think I found a maketala there, but that’s a story for another day.
At Malabane the project detail was a sustainable farm of over 100 hectares of sugarcane farming, 19ha of their crops and my favourite almost 50 hectares of banana production which enhances food security and exports.
I liked the Mabalene farmers because although deep in the ruralest (new word) of areas they were just happy people and so welcoming, without any stress of the bills that we face in the urban area. The fact that they also shared boxes and boxes of banana also has nothing to do with the warmth I felt towards them.
I learned first-hand that although they received funding from EswatiniBank they also work with Lusip II too. One does not get to appreciate the huge projects which government brings which is why when they announce that they are bringing even 1 000 jobs under LUSIP we roll our eyes because the picture does not take us there.
We met with officials from Lusip who explained to us that they mobilise the community members into business groups in their own land( SNL) and assist them to select their preferred enterprise, link them with competitive markets for their produce and prepare a business plan for operations financing.
Through government intervention, they are assisted with 70 per cent capital costs (bush clearing, land preparation and irrigation systems installation). They obtained operations loans ( 30 per cent) is used for the day day farm operations.
That was a lot of information I learned during that one hour visit although I must admit that place is hot.
My point therefore in this regard is that government should take the ordinary man on the street including the media to these projects so they can witness on the ground what is really happening. It is for this reason that I am not quite impressed with all the workshops that are always held in the urban hotels or guest houses as one does not get the feel of the project on the ground. Take government to the people not places where there will be registers for transport and lunch claims.
EswatiniBank also took us to Siteki where we witnessed the much talked about Espinho Restaurant it is all that and more for us who love good food. The bar and entertainment area is also top class and the only misgiving I had was that we had to watch the Europa League where my team (Manchester United) lost. That place is impressive and I would also encourage government to get out of the Mbabane-Manzini corridor and support those establishments which are pushing in other towns.
I am not an account holder at EswatiniBank yet, but I am greatly contemplating opening one because as they say it is the bank with a heart and I witnessed this first-hand by engaging with the ordinary man on the street who have been financed by the bank.
Congratulations on the banks 60 years, the future is clearly bright.
Until next week, do remember to be kind!
