Citizens Excited About Employment in Ongoing Road Construction Projects
They have been temporarily employed by AG Thomas and Inyatsi Construction.
One of the Municipal Council of Manzini’s strategic objectives in line with the 2019-2024 Integrated Development Plan (IDP) is to stimulate the city’s socio-economic growth and increase employment opportunities by 2024. The Municipality delivers this strategic objective through its Local Economic Development (LED) strategy. As part of Goal number 3 of the LED strategy which says “Involve the local people in developing and maintaining infrastructure services within the city”, the Municipality has over the years made it a point to facilitate for first preference in terms of employment opportunities that arise from road construction projects to be given to local residents. Even with the two ongoing road construction projects a number of Manzini citizens, a majority thereof being the youth, have benefited in terms of employment. At least 25 Manzini citizens, including the youth, have been temporarily employed by AG Thomas and Inyatsi Construction in the ongoing projects. AG Thomas was awarded a tender by the Municipality towards construction of the Bosco bridge (which will provide an additional entry/exit point into and out of the city centre; thereby alleviating traffic congestion in the south-eastern part of the city), rehabilitation of Southern Distributor road within ward 11 and Mimosa and Tikhuba roads within ward 10.
Meanwhile, Inyatsi Construction is currently rehabilitating Stanley street in Ngwane Park; from Old Zakhele past Ludwala and further down to the Stanley bridge towards Ngwane High School. The local citizens who have been temporarily employed by the two contractors have expressed gratitude to the Municipal Council of Manzini for facilitating their recruitment. During the stakeholder engagement meetings that were held with residents at commencement of the projects, the Municipality invited locals who were interested in jobs during the construction period to register with it. Registration is still open. Proof of residence is one of the requirements for one to make it into the list. From interviews that the Municipality conducted with some of the local citizens who have benefited in terms of jobs, it appears that this opportunity somewhat closes the gap that was caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; that is, job losses and loss of business.
…WHAT SOME OF THE EMPLOYED LOCAL CITIZENS HAD SAY…
The following is what some of the local citizens who have benefited jobs had to say during interviews that were conducted by the Municipality last week Friday;
- THIS JOB HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE – NTOKOZO BROADWELL
“I am employed by AG Thomas and have been working since January 2022. I’m a general labourer and am enjoying the job; moreso because I live in Coates Valley and that means there is no need for me to have bus fare. I just walk to work. Before getting this job I was unemployed. I lost my job due to the Covid-19 pandemic and, from then onwards, it became hard for me to survive. This job has made a difference in my life. I am now able to support my child and also save some of my earnings because I want to start a business in the near future. I am really grateful to the Municipality for negotiating with such a good employer (AG Thomas) for us locals to get jobs from the project. I never thought the Municipality cared about us. I thought it was only concerned about service delivery”.
- I’M GRATEFUL TO OUR MUNICIPALITY, AG THOMAS – NOZIPHO DLAMINI
“I started working for AG Thomas as a flag lady in September 2021. I used to run a business as a hawker wherein I was selling new and second hand clothing. My business collapsed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and that was the beginning of trouble for me; moreso because I have a child to take care of. I’m grateful to God about this job. It has done wonders for me. Through my monthly salary, I have been able to acquire a piece of land in the rural areas and have started building my home. Having a home has always been my top priority. I am very grateful to the Municipality for having our interest at heart. Jobs are extremely scarce out there. Some women end up resorting to prostitution due to job scarcity. I would also like to publicly appreciate AG Thomas for being such a good employer. That we always get our salaries on time is one good thing on its own but the fact that we often get unexpected bonuses of up to E2,000 when we have met our performance targets is even more exciting. It motivates us to work harder and with honesty. To show that we work for a generous employer who really cares about their employees, AG Thomas has pledged a cow for all employees to feast on it on the 22nd July 2022. It’s a blessing working here”.
- I’M EXPERIENCING PROGRESS IN MY LIFE – ZINHLE DLAMINI
“I am a Manzini citizen and was employed by AG Thomas in September 2021 as a flag lady. I was not employed before getting this job. Through this job I am experiencing progress in my life. I have started building a house back home in the rural areas. I’m really grateful to God for this opportunity. I’m also saving some of my salary so that I can start a business when this contract comes to an end. AG Thomas is a very good employer. We are often showered with bonuses for good performance and that is so exciting”.
- I PROMISE TO COMMIT TO WORK – SICELO DLAMINI
“I work for Inyatsi Construction as a flagman. I started working on the 15th June 2022 and am looking forward to my first salary at the end of this month. I had lost my job to the Covid-19 pandemic and was unemployed when I got this job. I am really grateful to the Municipal Council of Manzini and Inyatsi Construction for the job opportunity. Jobs are extremely scarce these days; even when one has a tertiary qualification. I promise to commit to work so that I don’t disappoint the Municipality and Inyatsi Construction”.
- I’LL SAVE UP SO THAT I ENROL AT VOCTIM – KHETSIWE MADOLO
“I work for Inyatsi Construction as a flag lady in the ongoing road rehabilitation project here at Ludwala. I started working mid June and will be getting my first salary at the end of this month. Before getting this job I was working in one of the shops in Old Zakhele and life was difficult because the employer was inconsistent in terms of payment of our salary. I decided to quit so that I boost my CV and increase my chances of getting a job elsewhere after this contract. I also want to enrol at VOCTIM for a course in Electrical Engineering. I was there for an interview recently. I’m short of befitting words to thank the Municipality and Inyatsi Construction for the job opportunity. I will now be able to fulfil my dreams”.
- I NEED TO USE THE MONEY WISELY – THABISO NYAWO
“I am employed by Inyatsi Construction as a general labourer; having been recruited mid last month. Before getting the job I was operating a taxi business but the car was not in a good condition. It would breakdown frequently. When I learnt that there were job opportunities for us locals in the ongoing road construction project I approached the Municipality and registered my interest. I will now be able to properly service my car and get back to business when my contract expires. I thank the Municipality for thinking about us as local citizens. We desperately need jobs so that we can take care of ourselves and our families. This is a temporary job but it will go a long way as long as I use the money wisely. Who knows? Inyatsi Construction might decide to employ me fulltime as long as commit myself to the job”.
