US AMBASSADOR CALLS FOR PEACEFUL DIALOGUE

MANZINI – “Just as roads connect communities, dialogue can connect the nation.”

These were sentiments shared by US Ambassador to Eswatini Jeanne Malone, during a commissioning ceremony of a regravelled one kilometre road at KaShali Zone 3 East at KaShali Gogo Centre yesterday. The project was funded through the US Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Programme, with a grant of about E136 000. Its completion has made travelling to the main roads easier and more accessible. One of the key strengths of this programme is that it requires the community to contribute to its own development. Meanwhile, Ambassador Malone said the presence of good roads was crucial to development. She highlighted that without good roads, it was difficult for people to access schools, clinics, police stations, shopping centres and other important facilities.

She added that bad roads were not only costly to vehicle owners but also contributed to slow economic growth and could cause fatalities.  “As we look to government to communicate details on the preparations for the national dialogue it committed to support, we encourage emaSwati to engage in meaningful, inclusive, and peaceful community-level dialogue to build understanding and trust,” she said. The ambassador further articulated that working together, the citizens of the country could identify shared values and goals, and support a process that would promote healing for the entire country.  Malone reiterated that it was a moment of historic importance in Eswatini.

Meanwhile, she echoed that the US Government was pleased and proud to help communities that invested in themselves. She encouraged KaShali Zone 3 East community members to continue working together in taking pride in maintaining the road infrastructure and improving the surrounding areas. “Continue committing yourselves and working tirelessly in making KaShali Zone 3 East a better place for growth and development. Always remember the African Proverb, ‘If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others’,” she said.

Grant

Nhlambeni Member of Parliament (MP) Manzi Zwane appreciated the US Embassy for the grant which had improved the KaShali road, enabling residents to travel easily. “You can attest that the state of the road was horrible. There were potholes and it was difficult to access homesteads. Mine is to say thank you so much for the wonderful job you did for our community,” the MP appreciated. Masundvwini Inner Council Member Khisimusi Ndlovu appreciated Kashali community members for supporting and contributing towards the development of the project. He said their contribution made the project a success. Ndlovu further alluded that it took six months for the project to reach its completion, which he commended as he said it usually took a year. The inner council member revealed that the community contributed 17 per cent towards the project, while the US Embassy contributed 83 per cent. “This is marvelous indeed and we hope that when we have such projects like the drainage system in future, you will also help us,” Ndlovu said.

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