NHLANGANO: Shiselweni folk are unapologetic in their claim of “First Citizens” of the Kingdom and the nation’s powerhouse. Now they have a second gateway out of their administrative capital, Nhlangano connecting to Manzini and Mbabane.
The new link was opened by His Majesty King Mswati lll on 1 October 2024 as part of his programme following conclusion of the annual Shiselweni Umhlanga reed ceremony. The Sicunusa via Gege to Nhlangano carriageway is a dream come true for the region that hosts Lavumisa and Mahamba – two major borders with South Africa’s KwaZulu Natal and Mpumalanga provinces.
Speaking at the new road’s southern intersection with the Nhlangano to Mahamba link, the King echoed public appetite for completion of the road: “We heard the plea of emaSwati during the recent Sibaya (national consultative forum chaired by His Majesty).” His Majesty underlined the economic importance of the new roadway that connects with western Nhlangano’s industrial park that hosts several textile factories: “We envision more economic growth brought by this Road. We expect more textile factories and economic growth as the roads are now accessible.”
The new road provides a vital and more direct economic link for the commercial capital of Manzini to access northern KwaZulu Natal as well as Southern Mpumalanga through the key Mahamba Border. It will be an expressway for Nhlangano with Sicunusa (42km) and will give more life to the Sicunusa border 7km from the intersection with the Mankayane to Sicunusa road. Nhlangano is now 66km to the western Manzini district capital of Mankayane and only 125km to Mbabane by much easier travel. Road.
For the new road opening, His Majesty made his first stop at the junction linking Sicunusa and Nhlangano, where he unveiled a plaque that marked the official launch of the new direct link between Nhlangano and Mankayane towns.
The Mankayane district has excellent quality soils and agreeable climate of consistent rains that support it become a key national food producer , especially of maize grain.
Completion of the Sicunusa road brings a happy closure to a project that was steeped in a myriad of controversies since it was started in 2013. Construction stopped when the project had reached the halfway mark. The then funders pulled out in disagreements with alleged violation of funding contract terms. The dispute collapsed the road contractor, a major indigenous Swazi owned company, Kukhanya Construction. Political fallout from the debacle included the removal of the then Principal Secretary of Works and the Chief Engineer.
In the years that followed, the road which had just about reached paving stage was washed away and almost returned to nature.
But when the people of Shiselweni boast their region is “God’es’namandla”, it is unwise to disagree. Culturally, Shiselweni ranks second to Hhohho. It is the only one that hosts the King celebrate a regional Umhlanga Reed Ceremony. It uses the cultural event well, organizing an annual business forum that brings economic leaders to discuss the development of the region. Opening the new road is part of the menu of activities His Majesty undertook to promote the Shiselweni economy.
The new road is so far officially unnamed – perhaps wisely so. When the MR2 which links Nhlangano to Manzini was tarred 50 years ago, it was named King Moshoeshoe ll in honour of the Kingdom of Lesotho’s leader and King Mswati ll’s father, King Sobhuza ll. But Shiselweni folk disagreed by ignoring the official name, and insisting “Yith’Abantu,” would be the 100km road. Their will carried the day and to this day, it is “Yith’Abantu”.
The need for a business continuity plan for Nhlangano was highlighted by Cyclone Domoina floods in 1984 that brought landslides closing the road and swept bridges that rendered the road un-useable. For weeks, emergency transport, including of students returning to the new Ngwane teachers college had to be ferried by helicopters provided from South Africa.
Jm/today/2.10.2024
