Mankayane – The Deputy Chairman Councillor Dlamini Sizwe on behalf of Mankayane Town Board presented shopping vouchers to 9 caregivers that service the three social centres of Mankayane Town. These are situated at Mangwaneni, Town Centre and Mabovini. The social centres’ services include providing daily meals for children between 0-18 years, serve as an early childhood development centre (3-4 years) and provide psycho-social support to the beneficiaries.
The E1 000.00 worth of shopping vouchers were given to each caregiver as an appreciation gesture for the great work they voluntary commit themselves to on a daily basis. The gifts came after the Board initiated a 4-day refresher training for the unpaid caregivers through its Community Health Projects and Social Services department. Each and every year the Board commits a budget to train and empower all of her caregivers with the necessary knowledge and skills that assist them in fulfilling their mandate at community level.
The Deputy Chairman on behalf of the Board lauded the caregivers for the wonderful community work they continue to do, some of which have served for over 10 years. As a means to support the community work, Councillor S. Dlamini and family pledged to offer educational support to one (1) boy child. The child shall be selected by the community care givers following further discussions on the matter.
THANK YOU MANKAYANE STREET VENDORS – THE BOARD VALUES YOU!
On the 14th November 2023, the Board organised a mini roadshow at Mankayane bus rank solely to appreciate all local street vendors for the role they play in stimulating the economy of Mankayane. Street vendors undoubtedly make towns more vibrant. It was on this note that the Board dedicated this day to show gratitude and recognition to all vendors.
As part of the commemoration, the Board invited various service providers including Nedbank Eswatini, Mankayane Burial, United Holdings, and Imphumelelo Funeral Service to present the services offered which are easily accessible in town and are of a greater need to the street vendors of Mankayane. The Royal Eswatini Police Service Crime Prevention Unit under Mankayane was also present to sensitise the vendors on security and safety issues with which vendors are often victims of, more especially that the festive season, which is accompanied by a high crime rate, is near.
MANKAYANE TOWN PLANNING SCHEME APPROVAL
The Board hereby reminds all stakeholders of the Town that the Town Planning Scheme (TPS) for Mankayane has been submitted to the Ministry of Housing & Urban Development (MHUD) for approval. The notice was published on the 2nd of November 2023 on Eswatini Observer by the Ministry.
Stakeholders are reminded that copies of the TPS and relevant documents are available for inspection at the Board’s offices. Any person who wishes to make any objections or submissions to the proposed scheme may lodge in writing before or on the 11th of December 2023. Correspondences can be forwarded to the Principal Secretary at the MHUD P.O. Box 1832 Mbabane.
A copy of the notice can also be accessed on our website: https://www.mankayane.co.sz/public-notices/.
ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE
One of the Board’s main mandates as guided by the 2020 – 2030 Integrated Development Plan (IDP) is to improve the road infrastructure of the town and ensure that the roads within the Central Business District are all upgraded to asphalt. This in turns allows for smooth and safe navigation for motorists around town.
It is against this background that the Board initiated and recently concluded the construction and upgrading of Titandini road next to Mankayane Library from gravel to asphalt. This project was worth E3.6 million.
DROUGHT MANAGEMENT PLAN DEVELOPMENT FOR MANKAYANE
Mankayane Town Board has partnered with the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC) to develop an Operational Drought Management Plan for the town. A consultative meeting between the Board, NDMA, EWSC and Mankayane stakeholders was held where discussions were made in terms of how each can collaborate in the development of this plan.
As quoted by Cary Kennedy, climate change is the greatest threat to humanity. Global temperatures are rising at an unprecedented rate, causing drought, forest fires and impacting human health. It is on this note that the Board sought drought preparedness and contingency planning as fundamental in understanding the direct and spill-over effects of drought and identifying actions to be taken before and/or during drought events to reduce its impact on our community and the economy.