The Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE) has intensified efforts to foster collaboration among stakeholders involved in the Mkhondvo-Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Project (MNWAP). Last week, a key stakeholder engagement meeting was held at Phumula Guest House in Nhlangano to align strategies for socioeconomic transformation in the project’s development area. 

The session, which brought together representatives from government ministries, non-governmental organisations, and community groups, aimed to identify synergies, avoid duplication of efforts, and optimize the use of limited resources. Among the attending entities were the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Shiselweni Regional Administrator’s Office, World Vision, Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society, Imbita Women’s Trust Fund, Youth Fund, NATIC, ACAT Lilima, the Cotton Board, Eswatini Environmental Authority (EEA), National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS (NERCHA), National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), and the Ngwavuma River Basin Authority. 

The MNWAP Project Development Area (PDA) spans several rural communities, including Lushini, Hhohho Emuva, Nsingizini, KaMamba, Kaliba, Manyiseni, Ncomintaba, and Nyatsini. These areas are the focal point of the government’s flagship initiative to enhance livelihoods and promote sustainable development in Eswatini’s rural regions. 

A Call for Unified Efforts 

Addressing the meeting, EWADE Director of Projects, Bongani Magagula, emphasized the significance of a coordinated approach to ensure the initiative achieves its objectives. 

“This meeting represents a critical milestone in fostering collaboration among stakeholders. By working together, we can transform lives in the Shiselweni region and ensure maximum impact from the resources available to us,” Magagula said. 

He highlighted the necessity of sustainability, stressing that the project’s legacy must endure beyond EWADE’s involvement. 

“Our stakeholders will continue serving these communities even after the project’s completion, which makes aligning our mandates with the project’s goals all the more important,” he added. 

To facilitate effective coordination, EWADE has developed a stakeholder management plan. Magagula disclosed that the plan includes the creation of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each partner. 

“These MoUs will ensure accountability and prevent overlapping efforts, allowing us to focus on the efficient delivery of services,” he explained. 

Engaging Communities and Building Trust 

MNWAP Project Manager, Bafana Matsebula, reinforced the importance of community involvement in shaping development interventions. 

“The beneficiaries of this project must be at the centre of all initiatives. Engaging them ensures that interventions are demand-driven and meet their specific needs,” Matsebula noted. 

He revealed plans for annual stakeholder review meetings to evaluate progress, celebrate achievements, and address challenges. 

“Transparency is key. Keeping communities informed fosters trust and enhances the effectiveness of our collective efforts,” he added. 

Both Magagula and Matsebula called for unwavering collaboration among stakeholders to sustain service delivery and development in the region. 

Stakeholder Support Commended 

Magagula expressed gratitude to the stakeholders for their commitment to the initiative, describing their participation as a testament to their support for the government’s drive to uplift rural communities. 

The office of the Project Coordinator will continue engaging stakeholders to finalize the MoUs. These agreements will be formally launched by EWADE’s CEO, Samson Sithole, to mark the beginning of their implementation. 

“This is a significant undertaking, and we cannot achieve it alone. Your inputs and expertise are invaluable. Together, we can deliver a development initiative that will leave a lasting legacy,” Magagula concluded. 

A National Priority 

The MNWAP is a cornerstone of the government’s efforts to combat poverty and enhance livelihoods in rural Eswatini. By facilitating collaboration and pooling resources, EWADE aims to ensure the project delivers sustainable benefits for generations to come. 

The partnership between EWADE and its stakeholders is poised to transform the Shiselweni region into a model of integrated and inclusive development.