By Sikhulile Dlamini
VELEZIZWENI – Lack of transport will be the thing of the past for Velezizweni people after receiving a 65-seater bus from the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development through the Regional Development Fund (RDF).
Minister Sikhumbuzo Dlamini handed over the bus worth E3 million to Giya Ndvodza Multipurpose Cooperative under Ngwempisi lnkhundla. With the aid of the RDF, Giya Ndvodza Multipurpose Cooperative has not only enhanced the livelihoods of its members but also positively impacted on the lives of emaSwati in the area.
The main objective of the RDF is to alleviate poverty in each of the four regions Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini and Shiselweni.
The Giya Ndvodza Multipurpose Cooperative consists of 15 unemployed members comprising of both men and women. According to the chairman of the cooperative, Bongani Dlamini, the bus was a solution to the cry of the people of Velizizweni because of lack of transport in the area.
“There has been a shortage of transport service in the area for a very long-time. We are so delighted as other people will get to see RDF in action in communities like ours. We are so grateful to the fund for helping us solve one of the problems we have faced as a community,” Dlamini said.
The bus costs E3 014 242.00 and the Giya Ndvodza contributed E332 000 which is the 10 percent required from the communities in order for their project to succeed. The bus was presented at the Velezizweni chiefdom in the presence of community.
Minister Sikhumbuzo Dlamini also graced the event. He highlighted how the cooperative has guaranteed that at least three people will be employed after the bus presentation.
”The employment of three people and 15 members of the company directly address the objective of the RDF which is poverty alleviation in each of the four regions in the Kingdom of Eswatini,” Dlamini added.
He further thanked all those who contributed in one way or the other in making the occasion a success.
