BY PHUMELELE GAMEDZE
MBABANE – Smiles, relief and hope filled the Mamba community as residents celebrated the official handover of the Mtimphili Low Level Crossing Bridge, a project expected to improve safe travel, strengthen connectivity and create lasting opportunities for local families.
The bridge, handed over by the Microprojects Programme, is expected to transform daily life for residents who have long struggled to cross the area safely, particularly during the rainy season. The project also created employment for local youth while strengthening community ownership of public infrastructure.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Member of Parliament Hon. Mancoba Sihlongonyane thanked the Mamba community for standing together from the launch of the project until its successful completion.
He praised residents for their commitment and thanked the Microprojects Programme for working closely with the community to deliver the long awaited development.
The legislator also applauded the programme for responding to the community’s request to provide employment during construction.
“While the initial request was to employ at least one young man and one young woman, the project ultimately created jobs for 15 young people from the local community,” he said, describing it as a strong demonstration of community empowerment.
Hon. Sihlongonyane further commended everyone involved for maintaining high construction standards despite difficult weather conditions.
“The bridge has proven to be durable and safe, with motorists already making use of the crossing,” he said.
Community Development Officer for the Lubombo Region, Ndumiso Dlamini, officially handed over the bridge on behalf of the Microprojects Programme.
He reminded residents that the project was born from a need identified by the community itself and encouraged them to continue taking ownership of the infrastructure.
“The bridge was built in response to a need identified and submitted by the community itself,” Dlamini said.
He thanked residents for contributing stones used during construction and encouraged them to maintain the bridge, repair rain-damaged gravel roads around it and protect road signs from vandalism.
Dlamini also conveyed appreciation from the Director of the Microprojects Programme for the excellent cooperation shown throughout the project and encouraged community leaders to continue identifying priority development projects.
Microprojects Engineer Sandziso Dlamini said the successful completion of the bridge reflected the value of teamwork.
“Every successful project depends on teamwork between Micro Projects, the contractor, and the community,” he said.
He also recognised Hon. Sihlongonyane for consistently monitoring progress to ensure the project reached completion.
Sandziso Dlamini revealed that heavy rains exposed another road improvement need affecting buses and other vehicles. Although funding limitations delayed implementation, he confirmed the proposed road improvement remains in the project pipeline.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional leadership, Indlukhulu Madubula Simelane expressed heartfelt appreciation for the new bridge.
“The new bridge is a lasting solution that will improve the lives of residents for many years to come,” he said, recalling the dangers and hardships residents faced when crossing the old structure during the rainy season.
The completion of the Mtimphili Low-Level Crossing Bridge stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when communities, government, local leadership, contractors and development partners work together to improve lives and build a safer future.
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