MATSAPHA - The value of Matsapha Town has increased from about E12 million in 1986 to E5.7 billion currently.
Matsapha Town Council Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mancoba Zwane, said this during the council’s five-year strategy media briefing, which was held at the council chambers yesterday morning.
Zwane took over, on an acting basis, from former CEO Lucky Sukati who retired recently. He said in terms of commitment to sustainability, as the town grows, they ensure that their Integrated Development Plan (IDP) aligns with national priorities and international frameworks like the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Paris Agreement to promote sustainable development.
He added that Matsapha is Eswatini’s industrial hub, contributing significantly to GDP through manufacturing, logistics and trade activities. He added that their plans emphasise participatory governance and stakeholder engagement to ensure inclusive and sustainable development initiatives.
The acting CEO also highlighted that they aim to balance industrial growth with ecological preservation and social well-being, transforming into a smart city. He said as they develop, currently they have ongoing projects amounting to E94 million and they include rehabilitation of Matalatala Avenue and King Mswati III Avenue (E31 million), construction of Phase I of Matsapha Silent Park (E3 million) and establishment of an E60 million National Healthcare Waste Treatment Facility.
On the other hand, he said planned projects amount to over E1.2 billion and they include; upgrading of MR31 Public Road (Mathangeni Road) (E50 million), Matsapha Interchange MR 3 (E250 million), Nokwane Link Road (E90 million), Matsapha Public Transport Facility (E120 million), Matsapha Roads Rehabilitation and Drainage upgrade (E560 million), Landfill Expansion (E50 million), Matsapha Sports and Recreation facilities (E89 million) and Development of Likhwane Township (E25 million). Zwane said the traffic improvement projects, which include upgrading of MR31 (Mathangeni Road), Matsapha Interchange, Nokwane Link Public Road and Matsapha Public Transport Facility, among others, are critical to addressing the growing transportation demands driven by rapid industrial and commercial development in the region. He said upgrading MR31 Public Road (Mathangeni Road), constructing the Matsapha Interchange and developing the Nokwane Link Road will significantly enhance connectivity, reduce congestion and improve travel efficiency for both freight and commuters.
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Matsapha Town Council Acting CEO Mancoba Zwane (C) addressing the media, while (L-R) Corporate Services Manager Zanele Dlamini and PRO Nozipho Kunene look on. (Pics: Sibusiso Zwane)