BY MBONO MDLULI
LOBAMBA – Government, through the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO), has spent E487 083 477 on elderly grants during the 2025/26 financial year, providing vital support to thousands of senior citizens across the country.
This was revealed by Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla while presenting a preamble before the House of Assembly Portfolio Committee at the Senate on March 6 2026.
According to Dladla, the Elderly Grant programme remains the largest social protection intervention administered by the DPMO. During the year under review, the programme reached 90 073 elderly beneficiaries who each received E600 per month to help strengthen household income security.
“The DPMO significantly expanded the national social safety net, providing a cornerstone of support for over 176 000 vulnerable Emaswati. The Elderly Grant remains the largest intervention, reaching 90 073 beneficiaries with a total investment of E487 083 477, providing E600 monthly to safeguard household income security,” she said.
In addition to supporting elderly citizens, government also strengthened education support through the Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Education Grant. The programme assisted 67 438 children during the financial year, representing a 7.1 percent increase in beneficiaries. This growth contributed to a 12.1 percent rise in the number of students sitting for external examinations. The Disability Grant programme also expanded, reaching 18 563 beneficiaries including 1 589 new recipients. Total disbursements under this programme amounted to E71 403 417. Together with the Umsizi Grant and Elderly Funeral Assistance, these programmes demonstrate government’s continued commitment to poverty reduction and the development of the nation’s human capital.
Dladla said the office remains guided by the national values of Nkwe and the principle of Agape Love in Action, ensuring that the national budget translates into dignity and support for vulnerable citizens.
During the 2025/26 financial year, the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office was allocated a recurrent budget of E1 044 679 000. By January 31 2026, a total of E1 135 165 062 had been released. The increase included an additional E95 605 499 from Head 60 directed to the National Disaster Management Authority to address urgent disaster-related emergencies.
These interventions included efforts to contain Foot-and-Mouth Disease, rehabilitation of houses and roads damaged by heavy rains and strong winds, and the provision of food assistance and agricultural production support.
As of the end of January 2026, the office had spent E828 880 797, leaving a balance of E306 284 265. Officials explained that the remaining funds were already committed to essential obligations, including salaries, operational expenses and the payment of elderly, disability and Umsizi grants for February and March 2026.
The number of beneficiaries across key social grant programmes continues to grow., while the Elderly Grant rose from 86 844 to 90 073. The Disability Grant also increased from 16 974 to 18 563 beneficiaries.
Government noted that while the expansion reflects its commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens, the rising demand for social protection services is also placing increasing pressure on public finances.
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