Mayor’s End Of Year Remarks

It gives me great pleasure to deliver my End of Year Address as the Mayor of the City of
Mbabane. On all fronts, the year 2020 has been a very challenging year more so because the
world is in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic and it’s unprecedented socio-economic
impact.
I take this opportunity on behalf of the Council, Management and the people of
Mbabane to pass our condolences to His Majesty King Mswati III, the Royal family,
and the entire Swati nation for the untimely death of the Prime Minister Mandvulo
Absalom Dlamini due to Covid-19 complications.
The office of the Deputy Prime Minister, His Excellency Themba Masuku, guided by
the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, pointed out that the City of Mbabane has
become the epicentre of the virus.
I urge all our residents to fully observe the Revised Covid-19 Regulations and to help
reduce the spread of the virus. The festive season is synonymous with travel, family
time and participation in large gatherings. However, this festive season the world is
battling the most disruptive pandemic in human history hence I urge all EmaSwati to
adhere to the directive issued by His Majesty’s King Mswati III’s Government to avoid
large crowds, stay home and to sanitise at all times.
As the Municipal Council of Mbabane, we are grateful to the Lord for His grace and
wisdom that has seen us all navigate a very challenging 2020 while staying fully
committed to upholding the ethos of good governance and public service.
I will now briefly review key highlights of the past year, challenges and also give a
preview of the year ahead.
THE PAST YEAR IN A NUTSHELL:
The Municipal Council’s ability to deliver set targets is reliant on the availability of funds
and this poses a challenge on Council’s overall performance as the actual
achievements do not match Council’s set targets solely because of the lack of funds.
The Council’s performance in the past year, in varying levels, was strong despite
facing a number of financial challenges that limited its ability to deliver on all
expectations.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS

1. Revenue Mobilization:
   The institution experienced the most difficult period in revenue generation because of
   the Covid-19 impact on households. I would like to extend Council’s sincere thanks
   and appreciation to residents and businesses who paid their taxes on time and in full.
   Though the now popular Council’s Pay Your Rates and Win competition was run late
   in the year, property owners still participated in their numbers in this initiative. This
   endeavour has over the years, proven to be key in supporting Council’s efforts towards
   revenue collection.

Council noted with concern though that during the year some individuals found it
appropriate to start misrepresenting a well-intentioned statement issued by the
Honourable Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Prince Simelane to address
the serious financial challenges that have been brought about by Covid-19. Despite
these ill intentions to persuade property owners not to honour their rates obligations,
many property owners ignored these calls and did the right thing to pay their property
taxes. The institution is, therefore, grateful to all those property owners.
In the previous financial year, entrants for this competition were 1,939 in total with a
revenue contribution of E9.5 million against a target of E9 million.
This year, Council recorded a total of 3,055 entrants for the competition with a revenue
contribution of E15.9 million against a target of E12 million and on behalf of the
Municipal Council, I urge property owners to pay their rates on time because that
enables Council to continuously fulfil its mandate of providing quality services on time.

2. Safety and Security
   The Council remains committed to providing the residents, businesses and visitors
   with a safe and secured environment.
   One important highlight for the year was the establishment of a Magistrate Court at
   the Civic Offices of the Council. This court is meant to assist the justice system to
   swiftly deal with criminal and civil cases within the jurisdiction of the City. Much
   appreciation is given to the office of the Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala for having
   afforded the Council support in the establishment of the court.
   The safety and security services unit continued to deal with uncontrolled trade and
   public nuisances without serious challenges. This was made possible by the
   collaborative efforts between the Council and the Royal Eswatini Police Service.
   The Council would like to thank the National Commissioner of the Royal Eswatini
   Police William Tsintsibala Dlamini and his team for the continued support given during
   the year.
3. Social Services
   Public Health
   The Municipal Council of Mbabane continued to provide public health care services to
   walk-in clients and to the communities. In total over the twelve months period, 633
   clients were seen for clinical services, 4454 received home care from Community
   Health care Volunteers, whilst 32 of these were cases where Council nurses were
   called upon to provide home care or referred where necessary. Some Clients (185)
   were bedridden and were assisted with home-based care supplies such as diapers.

Social Centre’s
Due to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic and job losses, Council and it’s partners
realised that orphaned and vulnerable children in the city were in urgent need of food
aid.
A survey conducted by Council established that there were about 800 OVCs
registered with Council in February 2020 yet when Covid-19 emerged the number of
children in need of food aid surged to more than 1,500 when schools were closed
when the country went into lockdown. With parents losing their jobs due to Covid-19,
vulnerability was exacerbated and not only that of children but also for adults.
Thanks to organizations such as the World Food Programme (WFP), National Disaster
Management Agency (NDMA), Super Spar, Union Supplies Ashraff, Real Image and
Healing Church Ministry who continue to provide food support to Council’s Social
Centres.
Council also thanks partners like the Mbabane Alliance Church, SASCCO, Swazi
Plaza Properties, Engen Garage, and other anonymous individuals for their donations
during these trying times.

4. Upgrading of Informal Settlements
   The upgrading of 9 informal settlements within the Mbabane urban boundary is still in
   progress even though considerable delays were experienced due to the outbreak of
   Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdowns.
   The informal settlements that are being upgraded are Malagwane, Mvakwelitje,
   Manzana, Mahwalala Zone 3, Mahwalala Zone 6 C, Sitibeni, Sidwashini, Fonteyn and
   Mangwaneni. Following the completion of the surveying and pegging of Manzana,
   Sidwashini and Fonteyn settlements, Council carried out Environmental Audits for
   these areas as legally required.
   The Audit Reports have been submitted to Eswatini Environmental Authority for
   approval. The Audits for Malangwane and Mvakwelitje have been completed and
   Council awaits the opening of a township register by the Ministry of Housing and Urban
   Development.
5. Local Economic Development
   Entrepreneurship Development
   In the past 12 months the municipality has rolled out initiatives that seek to cultivate a
   culture of entrepreneurship among Mbabane residents. Council’s economic
   development strategy is focused on the formal training of Small Medium Enterprises,
   the youth and informal vendors who are the bedrock of the city’s economy.

In pursuit of this strategic objective, in the year 2020 Council, in collaboration with the
Small Enterprise Development Company (SEDCO), trained 50 fashion designers and
hairdressers on Business management, financing mechanisms for SMMEs and the
business regulatory framework for operating in the city.
In collaboration with Junior Achievers Eswatini, Council also enrolled five youth groups
from Sandla, Makholokholo, Fonteyn, Ward 4 and Malagwane on an entrepreneurship
training for a year and have since graduated from the programme. These youth groups
have since formed companies and are at a stage for resource mobilisation.
Monthly Flea Markets
To fight the crippling effects of Cocid-19 on small businesses, Council has increased
the frequency of hosting flea markets to twice a month to maximise income generating
opportunities for vendors.

6. Private Public Partnerships
   Electricity Distribution
   Council continues to engage the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MHUD)
   and the ministry of Natural Resources and Energy (MNRE) on its desire to distribute
   electricity in the city. Council has engaged a consultant for technical guidance on this
   project.

Infrastructure Development
Rehabilitation and Tarring of Roads
I am pleased with the infrastructure developments that are happening around the City
of Mbabane which, most importantly, will stimulate development in other sectors. The
Council is pleased to state that in the 2020 it was been able to embark on the following
projects to improve the city’s infrastructure.
• The rehabilitation / resealing of the following roads was completed: Bakhi
Street, Mshini Road, Engonweni Road and a section of Mdada Street. These
roads or sections of roads had developed excessive potholes to a state where
the conventional potholes patching methods were unsustainable.
• Council upgraded dusty gravel roads into tar at Luhlongwa Street, Ngwane
Street, Licakala Road, Ebuhleni Road. Mkhulu Street was also upgraded from
gravel to concrete strips.
Corporate Social Responsibility
The organisation has embarked on the construction of a new house for Gogo Hleziphi
Nkambule of Msunduza Township who is a destitute resident of the city. The building

is a one-bedroom house, with a lounge, a kitchen, and a bathroom and the
construction is about 80% complete. This is one of the projects that is financed from
the proceeds of the annual Mayor’s Golf Tournament. The project is the second
construction as the first structure was built at Nkwalini Zone four (4) for a child by the
name of Zwakele Dlamini who is from an indigent family and born with a disability. A
two-bedroom house was built with the assistance of cities that are members of
UMSEBE ACCORD.

THE NEW YEAR IN BRIEF
Bus Rank Development
Council has received consent from the ministry (MHUD) to sign an agreement for the
development of the bus rank. The project manager has been appointed. Project is
expected to start early in 2021.
Residential Development
In order to diversify its source of revenue, Council published public private partnership
tenders for the development of several residential properties in the city. Some of these
are at tender award stage and development is expected to start soon.
Fonteyn minibus rank
Council is establishing a satellite bus rank at Fonteyn. This minibus rank will be used
by public transport operators to load and offload passengers as well as for queuing for
their next trip. The satellite bus rank will also accommodate vendor activity, which will
promote the Local Economic Development. There will be other satellite bus ranks that
will be established in the future to improve on transport movements within the city.

Conclusion
In conclusion, I humbly implore our people to heed the call from His Majesty King
Mswati III’s Government to observe the amended Covid-19 Regulations as the
kingdom battles a deadly second wave of the coronavirus.
For the first time the City of Mbabane has been identified as the epicentre of Covid-19
and I call upon every Mbabane resident to always wear a face mask, sanitise and
practise social distancing.
In response to the call from Cabinet, the municipality will soon rollout a campaign to
enforce compliance among residents and businesses within the urban boundary to
ensure adherence to the amended Covid-19 regulations.
As I conclude my address let me remind all of our residents that the virus does not
move on its own but it’s moved by people.

I thank you and may God bless you all.