By Sikhulile Dlamini
MBABANE – Microprojects Director Sibusiso Mbingo has urged Emaswati to be eager to unite and start businesses as this is the only way to develop communities.
Mbingo said this during an interview on Eswatini TV’s Kusile Breakfast Show this morning. He was speaking on the matter following the concerns on the backlog of the requests on Regional Development Fund (RDF).
Among the key issues, Mbingo addressed was the concerns raised by citizens on the number of people needed for them to start businesses and receive funding. According to the criteria that is needed for the people to apply for the fund, a minimum of 10 people is required for them to receive funding.
Mbingo emphasised that the regional development fund’s aim is to reach everyone in the communities, underscoring that when people join forces, multiple individuals stand to gain. He also encouraged prospective applicants to possess the 10 percent startup capital to kick starts their projects as the fund covers the remaining 90 percent.
“Everyone who starts a project should at least have a start-up income or input. People should be mindful that the fund donates 90 percent,” Mbingo added. He continued to say upon receiving the incentives, they should be used proficiently.
On another note, the backlog of requests has been an area of concern among citizens as some requests were still not responded to. Mbingo stated that they will be prioritizing requests from last year and people should and no applications would be put on hold. He also highlighted that E177 million from the national budget has been allocated to the RDF and that means more work is to be done,
