THREAT TO SOMHLOLO RENOVATIONS FOLLOWING ... URGENT E28M FUNDING GAP

MBABANE – It seems Somhlolo National Stadium will not host international games anytime soon.

The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs has revealed that it needs an additional E28 million to enable the national stadium to start hosting international games again. The Minister, Bongani Nzima, disclosed that they actually require E63 million instead of the E35 million that was allocated for the venue’s facelift under the current government fiscal year. This means they need an extra E28 million, which is 80 per cent above the allocated funds for the ongoing phase of the renovations.This was revealed during a debate on a report by the ministry at the House of Assembly in Parliament, two days ago.

Incurred

The report was in response to questions from Mbabane East Member of Parliament (MP), Welcome Dlamini. The motion pertained to the extent of the losses the country has incurred by hosting home games outside Eswatini, since 2022. It is worth mentioning that 2022 was the year the Confederation of African Football (CAF) placed a ban on the local soccer ‘Mecca’ from hosting category ‘A’ games. In response, Nzima disclosed that E10 263 000 has been spent, with a rate standing at E933 000 per match. As the minister’s report was debated, a majority of the MPs who reacted, initially wanted it to be rejected, which did not happen. They wanted the renovations to be treated with urgency and the ministry to give specific time frames for winding-up them.

Among those who reacted to the report was Mayiwane MP, Sicelo Dlamini. Sicelo said the country can not afford to lose E933 000 per match and wanted to know the source of this expenditure. However, Timphisini MP, Thulani Nsingwane, asked Nzima if they had considered having multiple complying venues. He said if that was the case, the country could use another venue, while Somhlolo is under renovation.

Challenge

He also demanded to know when exactly the ministry would resolve this challenge, if Nzima says it will be soon. On another note, Ntondozi’s Peter Ngwenya wondered if the national team, Sihlangu, was being defeated to avoid this hefty cost, much to the laughter of the house. Mzwandile Mamba from Kubuta requested the august House to reject the report as it leaves the nation hopeless and without any trust in the government. He said Nzima provided costs without solutions in the report.

In response to the debate, the minister appreciated the contributions of the MPs. Nzima said the report clearly answered the question that was asked and urged them to submit any additional requests through another motion. He mentioned that they are working on a short-term basis to solve the stadium challenge, the refurbishment of Somhlolo.

Installed

Nzima also said a gate that was constructed out of standard is already being rebuilt, a standard standalone power generator has been installed and the big screen has arrived. The minister, who is also Sandleni MP, mentioned that the construction of toilets closer to the stands, as required, has already begun. “I will, however, let the house know that the allocation we have doesn’t permit us to reach a satisfactory completion.  “Our allocation is E35 million, but we require E63 million. This is what is hindering us, MPs, and if we can resolve this issue, we could be stating by January that we’ll be starting to play at Somhlolo,” Minister Nzima stated.

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