BY PHESHEYA KUNENE – Editor
MPAKENI – Drought may soon be history for Shiselweni farmers as His Majesty King Mswati III toured the E2.6 billion Mpakeni Dam on Monday, a project set to turn Shiselweni’s dry fields into thriving farmlands.
For years, the farmers of Shiselweni and surrounding areas have prayed for rain, watched their crops wilt under the blazing sun, and seen once-thriving fields turn to dust. But that story is finally changing.
His Majesty King Mswati III’s royal visit to the Mpakeni Dam on Monday (October 13) signaled more than just progress, it marked a turning point for Eswatini’s most drought-stricken region.
The King commended the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE) for the steady strides made on the E2.6 billion dam, a project he said would “breathe life into the farmlands of Shiselweni” and redefine the nation’s agricultural future.
Currently 34 percent complete, the dam stands as a colossal symbol of resilience, built under the Mkhondvo–Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Programme (MNWAP) to secure water for irrigation, flood control, and community use.
Once completed in 2028, it will irrigate between 25 000 and 30 000 hectares of farmland stretching from St Philips to Siphambanweni, transforming dry plains into green belts of opportunity.
From Dust to Development
For decades, Shiselweni has been synonymous with drought. Its farmers, mostly smallholders, have long battled erratic rainfall and shrinking harvests. Many were forced to abandon maize, beans, and vegetable farming altogether. The Mpakeni Dam promises to rewrite that script.
With over E660 million already channelled to local contractors, service providers, and suppliers, and 779 jobs created so far, the project is already lifting livelihoods. EWADE’s CEO, Dr. Sithole, said the dam’s impact would stretch beyond water supply.
“The Mpakeni Dam is more than concrete and water,” he said. “It represents opportunity, empowerment, and a shared vision for a water-secure Eswatini.”
He added that young engineers and technicians were gaining valuable hands-on experience at the site, a boost to Eswatini’s technical skills base and local capacity.
Royal Praise and People Power
During his tour, His Majesty lauded EWADE for its commitment to both progress and people. Families displaced by the construction have been resettled in modern, dignified homes, with gardens, beekeeping training, and sustainable livelihood support funded through a E10 million restoration program.
He also applauded the dedication of workers, many of whom are from the region, noting that “local hands building local dreams” was the true spirit of national development.
Farmers See a New Dawn
For farmers in Shiselweni, the project has sparked fresh optimism.
Ministry of Agriculture PS Sydney Simelane said the dam would open doors for sustainable agriculture. He added that the project would help balance production across regions.
A Future Anchored in Water
With a 10-kilometre access road and bridge soon to be built, and a completion target set for 2028, the Mpakeni Dam is more than a national project, it’s a national promise.
It’s a promise to farmers who have endured dry seasons, to young people seeking jobs in agri-engineering, and to communities dreaming of greener harvests.
In the heart of Shiselweni, where drought once defined destiny, water will soon define opportunity.
And as His Majesty King Mswati III said, this dam will not only quench the land, but also nourish Eswatini’s vision of a self-sustaining, food-secure future
