MBABANE – The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs has projected that the construction of the Somhlolo National Stadium’s ‘no-man’s land’ stands will cost E98 million.
This figure has emerged following reports that the Finance Portfolio Committee intends to redirect the E42 million currently allocated to the national arena.
This allocation appeared in the Ministry of Finance budget estimates for the 2026/27 financial year and was tabled two weeks ago by Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg during his budget speech. The funding is intended to accelerate the stadium’s progress towards meeting Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.
However, that progress may hit a snag following a proposal made last Thursday during the tabling of the budget speech responses and the adoption of the Finance Portfolio Committee report.
Committee Chairman and Lobamba Lomdzala Member of Parliament (MP), Marwick Khumalo, disclosed plans to divert these funds towards Microprojects. He pledged the committee’s full support for any figures the ministry might submit in a supplementary budget and argued that the current allocation is insufficient to complete the renovations.
He noted that revised figures would likely provide more accurate estimates for the entire project.
Khumalo further noted that the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs had requested a larger sum, suggesting that the current allocation would not be enough to cross the finish line.
He said construction has been perennially reported as close to completion yet remains unfinished. Despite this, he shared Minister Bongani Nzima’s excitement that the Eswatini Football Association is now able to host games locally.
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A view of the Somhlolo National Stadium’s ‘no man’s land’. (Inset) police officers ordering fans to move from the the area this past weekend. (Pics: Machawe Fakudze and file)