BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – It is excitement in almost all the corners of the country, as all roads are supposed to lead to Mankayane tomorrow for the celebration of His Majesty King Mswati III’s 56th Birthday.
Mankayane Sports Ground is now ready for the festivities and rehearsals were done tomorrow at the venue to see the readiness of those tasked with the responsibilities of performing on the day. This also gave the people of Mankayane an opportunity to have a picture of what will be happening during the event tomorrow. All people are expected to be at the venue from 9am, in readiness for the start of the event.
Chiefs in the Manzini Region have been urged to ensure that this event went down the history books of the country as a memorable one. Minister of Home Affairs Princess Lindiwe urged the chiefs to work with her Ministry in making sure that things were done accordingly.
The chiefs took this responsibility with both hands and worked tirelessly in preparation for the event. Cabinet ministers, other politicians, entertainers, and ordinary members of the public have also taken this opportunity to wish the King all the best during his big day. Organisations, such as the Mankayane Town Board, have also come to the party and played their part in making this day a success.
The people of Mankayane and surrounding areas are taken as those who are lucky because they have become recipients of certain developmental initiatives, as a result of the King’s Birthday. The King, when cutting the sod, marking the construction of Semlex Eswatini Offices in Nokwane yesterday (April 17, 2024), stated that his birthday was synonymous with development.
He said now that the day was to take place in Mankayane, in the Manzini Region, that meant Manzini Region, particularly Mankayane, was going to be at the receiving end of some development. In an interview with Eswatini TV’s Kusile Breakfast Show last week Friday (April 12, 2024), Ministry of Home Affairs Communications Officer Mlandvo Dlamini stated that there were some developmental activities that had already taken place because of the King’s Birthday.
Some infrastructural developments, according to Dlamini, include the rehabilitation of the road from Malkerns to the traffic circle at Mhlabubovu. Dlamini said that development, even though was not happening in Mankayane, was going to be helpful to the people of Mankayane, as they were the ones who used that road when travelling to places such as Manzini and Mbabane.
Dlamini also stated that the Mankayane Sports Ground was now leveled such that it was going to be easy for the soccer teams around that area to play, as the facility was now improved. He said there was a bridge that was used when people wanted to access the sports ground. That bridge, according to Dlamini, was dangerous and now had been upgraded such that it was able to last for up to 100 years.
He further mentioned that the event would present many opportunities for business people from around Mankayane, who would be able to make a killing by selling food during the event. Tourists could also be attracted by the event and see investment opportunities while attending the event, according to Dlamini.
