BY BANELE MAGONGO
MBABANE – Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla has brought smiles to two orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) through the presentation of E84 000.
The received the money today under the Child Headed Household Programme initiated by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO) with the support of Standard Bank.
The E84 000 was presented to them in form of a cheque.
This initiative highlights government’s awareness of the struggles faced by these children, with the aim of empowering them to manage their households and chart a path towards a better future.
While touring the country, Thulisile Dladla observed that child-headed households frequently face hardships and are often susceptible to exploitation due to their struggle for survival. Addressing this pressing issue, Dladla emphasised that the Eswatini Government, through the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, stands firmly against this situation and believes in empowering young people to become self-sufficient. She highlighted the importance of financial independence for youth who lack a support system, emphasising that the absence of parents can exacerbate these challenges.
Dladla expounded on the Eswatini Government’s plan to support child-headed households through the DPMO. The Government will allocate funds to provide water tanks for agricultural projects, purchase three goats (two female and one male), and obtain indigenous chickens for some of that the young people who are beneficiaries to start their own businesses. This initiative is designed to provide a means for child-headed families to generate income and develop their financial autonomy, alleviating the hardships they may face due to a lack of parental support.
Tema Mkhabela, one of the beneficiaries of the Eswatini Government’s support for child-headed families, expressed her gratitude towards the DPMO. Mkhabela shared that she had always dreamed of opening her own catering business and now, with the DPMO’s sponsorship, she can pursue her passion through proper training. With the goal of starting a restaurant and potentially expanding her business, Mkhabela sees this as an opportunity to carve out a secure future for herself and her family.
