DEAD LOVED ONES’ BODIES CARRIED ON LADDERS

SIGCINENI – The small Mvundla community in Sigcineni is living in ancient times and difficult situations.

The people of the area are forced to carry deceased bodies of their loved ones covered in blankets on home-made ladders across the Ngwemphisi River due to the absence of a bridge. The Mvundla community is nestled at the foot of the steep Shalabeti Mountain; life is a daily struggle against the elements and the limitations imposed by a lack of infrastructure. The Ngwemphisi River, which flows through this isolated area, has become both a lifeline and a barrier for its residents. With no bridge to connect them to neighbouring communities, families are forced to carry the bodies of their deceased loved ones on makeshift ladders to access the mortuary and cemetery, a practice that evokes images of ancient times.

This heart-breaking reality is just one aspect of the myriad challenges faced by the people of Mvundla, who are caught in a cycle of neglect and hardship.“There have been many deaths in the community,” shares Bezi Vilakati, a resident who has witnessed the heart-wrenching process first-hand in his over four decades of life in the area.“Two men have to hold a ladder, one in front and the other in the back across the footbridge. That is the same case for burial days as two men have to carry a casket,” he narrated.The footbridge, which has been in disrepair for years, is a rickety structure that poses a significant risk to those who attempt to cross it. The approximately 200 metres long footbridge is over 23 years old.   

“The thinness of the footbridge allows for only two people, one in front and one in the back,” Vilakati explains.The community has resorted to using ladders to transport the deceased, a practice that underscores the desperation of their situation. The challenges faced by the Mvundla community are not new. Historically, rural communities in Eswatini have grappled with inadequate infrastructure, particularly in remote areas.In the 1990s, similar situations were reported in other parts of the country, where families had to navigate rivers and rough terrains to access basic services. The lack of bridges and roads has often resulted in tragic accidents, with many lives lost due to the perilous conditions.

 “Members of the community have plucked logs underneath the collapsing current structure, just for their children to reach school at the nearby Sigcineni High and Primary schools,” Vilakati adds. The implications of this isolation extend beyond the emotional toll of carrying deceased loved ones. The community is primarily composed of farmers who rely on their crops for sustenance and income.“We grow as many crops and vegetables to sell to urban markets, but the challenge is that we are an isolated community,” explains Lungile Dlamini, another resident.

 “We end up consuming everything, some of which would have brought financial income to us,” she said.The lack of a reliable means to transport goods to urban markets has stunted the economic growth of the Mvundla community. Building materials, farming inputs, and even basic necessities are transported manually across the unstable footbridge, further complicating their daily lives.

… 5 incidents recorded already

SIGCINENI - At least five incidents have been recorded along the Ngwemphisi River footbridge, with two individuals left crippled and others suffering serious injuries.

One tragic incident involved a school-going pupil who fell from the footbridge, highlighting the risks faced by children who must cross it daily to attend school. “I was left crippled after falling off the footbridge. In the hospital, I was advised never to run again, and even walking for a long distance is a challenge,”  Mvundla resident Titos Vilakati narrated.

 His injuries have not only affected his mobility but have also strained his personal life, leading to the dissolution of his marriage.“My wife left me after seeing that my injuries were lifelong and led to a disability,” he lamented.

… Bridge proposal issue over 10 years old- MP

SIGCINENI - Despite the clear need for a proper bridge, progress has been slow.

This is according to Ntondozi Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Ngwenya,who revealed that a proposal for  a bridge construction was submitted over ten years ago during his first term in office.“I remember that during my 2008-2013 term of office, officers from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport even visited the area and designs were made for the construction of a bridge. Those designs have probably gathered dust at the ministry, and no help has come ten years later,” he said.

 Ngwenya added that government has to make a plan and build a bridge for the community. He emphasised that while a project of this kind might cost over E10 million, it is impossible for the small community to raise the required 10 per cent, which could be equivalent to over E1 million. In neighbouring countries like South Africa and Mozambique, community-driven initiatives have led to the construction of bridges and roads in remote areas. For instance, in South Africa, the government has implemented a program called the Community-Based Planning Initiative, which empowers local communities to identify their needs and work collaboratively with government agencies to address them.

 This approach has resulted in the successful construction of several bridges in rural areas, significantly improving access to essential services and markets. Similarly, in Mozambique, the government has partnered with NGOs to develop infrastructure in remote communities. These partnerships have led to the construction of footbridges and roads that connect isolated villages to urban centres, facilitating trade and access to healthcare and education.

 Ngwenya added that as a constituency they will also approach the Micro Projects unit for assistance. Micro Projects is a division of the Ministry of Economic Planning Development but the 10 per cent requirement for a project of the kind needed by the Mvundla community might prove costly.“The community’s resilience in the face of adversity is commendable, but it is clear that they cannot bear this burden alone. The government must prioritise infrastructure development in such areas, ensuring that communities like Mvundla are no longer isolated from essential services and opportunities,”added Ngwenya.  

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