THE DIRT ROADS TO VISION 2022

mfanukhona@times.co.sz

MANKAYANE – Never give up, the song goes.

This is true when one considers pointers and moves that are afoot to turn Eswatini into a first world country by 2022, but it’s not going to be easy as the odds appear stacked against rapid development.
Unemployment levels are high, lack of medical facilities, poverty rate still high, HIV/AIDS pandemic still troublesome and dirt roads are all over the country.

However, it must be said that programmes, strategies or road maps have been designed by professionals to ensure this dream, spearheaded by His Majesty the King, is realised.
Roads infrastructure is considered world over as the vehicle for economic growth.

The Framework for the National Development Strategy (NDS) released in January 2013, puts emphasis on the significance of transport infrastructure. It says Eswatini is supplied with the highest quality of infrastructure. The country possesses an extensive network of good quality tarred roads and adequate gravel roads.

All roads connecting the major towns and main border gates are tarred, according to government.
But, the government admits: “Most of the rural settlements are also connected with rural access roads and bridges. To accelerate the momentum, a national Transport Master Plan that will guide the development of the sector over the next 20 years is expected to be developed.”

Vision 2022 seeks to achieve the following – improved standard of living in the country, particularly poverty eradication, employment creation, gender equality and environmental protection.
According to the strategy, by the year 2022 the Kingdom of Eswatini will be in the top 10 per cent of the human development group of countries founded on sustainable development, social justice and political stability.

 Furthermore, the NDS aims to eradicate poverty from the country. In practice, the NDS provides a long term framework within which short and medium-term action programmes will be formulated by the government. The strategy embraces the Vision 2022.
Meanwhile, investigations by the Times SUNDAY show that the going gets tough, particularly in the area of road infrastructure. Long distance dirt roads are all over the country. In fact, dust is everywhere.
Dust is also a concern on the outskirts of Mbabane, the capital city. Just about three kilometres from Hospital Hill where Cabinet offices are housed, it has been found that part of the Mahwalala-Mpolonjeni road is dusty, and the Mbuluzi-Maphalaleni road is gravel, while the Pigg’s Peak-Bulembu road is a notorious one.

It must be said though, that the country has made big strides in creating a world class road network, including highways, but the number of dirt roads, mainly in the rural areas, remain a great cause for concern.

connect with border gates
Some of these roads connect certain places with border gates, hospitals, clinics, schools and areas that have minerals. For instance, the D56 road, the 13km Mahlangatsha road leads to a dormant mine. Mahlangatsha has 700 000 tonnes of Kaolin, which is cream white to pinkish in colour, according to the Geological Survey and Mines Department.

Kaolin is a type of clay found in nature. It can also be made in a laboratory. People use it to make medicine. It can be used for mild-to-moderate diarrhea, severe diarrhea (dysentery), and cholera treatment.
Mahlangatsha has a resource that can be applied to wounds to help stop bleeding. It may also be applied to the skin to dry or soften the skin. That is Kaolin for you – abundant in the poverty-stricken community of Mahlangatsha, about 20 km from Mankayane.

The 28km Siphofaneni-Sithobela road leads to one of the largest medical centres in the country – the Sithobela Health Centre. This road is bumpy, and a driver must travel 30km per hour.
Mcebo Dlamini, a resident here, said an ambulance from Sithobela to RFM Hospital or Mbabane Government Hospital, would take long to reach the destinations because of the pot hole-riddled dusty road. This road also connects with Hlatikhulu, and Lavumisa.

The same goes with Nsoko-Maloma road. Maloma, situated 25km from the tarred Lavumisa-Nsoko road, is the home of coal.
Despite the fact that the mine commenced its operation in 1992, one travels on a 25km dusty road to its operational and administrative sites. Chancellor House Holdings owns 50 per cent of the shares, while government and Tibiyo TakaNgwane have 25 per cent apiece.
Directors from these entities travel on a dusty road when going there to hold meetings.

connects with Dwalile High
The Tsawela-Sandlane road (D91) is a long one, which connects with Dwalile High School, Musi Clinic and agricultural farms. It also leads Sandlane Border/Nerston Border Posts.
The border is called Nerston on the South African side and Sandlane on Eswatini’s territory.  It is 17km from Amsterdam, South Africa.
The Tsawela (Cana)-Sandlane road also connects with the Luyengo-Sicunusa road. In fact, it leads to the abandoned Sicunusa-Nhlangano road. The Bulembu-Pigg’s Peak road is an 18km dirt one, which connects the country with Barberton.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: