MBABANE – A sudden twist has emerged regarding the E42 million budget estimate allocated to Somhlolo National Stadium.
This allocation appeared in the Ministry of Finance budget estimates for the 2026/27 financial year which was tabled a week ago by Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg during his budget speech.
The funding is intended to accelerate the stadium’s progress towards meeting Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.
However, that progress may hit a snag following a proposal made on Thursday during the tabling of the budget speech responses and the adoption of the Finance Portfolio Committee’s report.
Committee Chairperson and Lobamba Member of Parliament Marwick Khumalo disclosed plans to divert these funds towards Microprojects. He pledged the committee’s full support for any figures the ministry might submit in a supplementary budget and argued that the current allocation is insufficient to complete the renovations. He noted that revised figures would likely provide more accurate estimates for the entire project.
He also noted that the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs had requested a larger sum and suggested that the current allocation would not be enough to cross the finish line. Khumalo further stated that Somhlolo is beginning to mirror the International Convention Centre and Five Star Hotel project. He said construction has been perennially reported as close to completion yet remains unfinished. Despite this, he shared Minister Nzima’s excitement that the Eswatini Football Association is now able to host games locally.
Despite the budgetary tug-of-war, Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima revealed that work on the ground has not stalled because it started well ahead of the budget allocation. He said construction progressed in advance of the funding with the understanding that contractors would be settled using this fiscal year’s budget.
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