By Sinenhlanhla Moyo
Villagers from Sibambene Village, Nazareth and Bhaka Line in Swazi Ward 13, Umzingwane District, are appealing for assistance to construct a bridge, saying it will end years of isolation caused by seasonal flooding.
Every rainy season, the river becomes impassable, cutting off the communities from schools, health facilities, markets and other essential services, while disrupting education, healthcare access and livelihoods.
Determined to find a lasting solution, residents have mobilised to build a culvert bridge but say they lack the financial and material resources needed to begin construction.
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As part of their preparations, villagers have started clearing the proposed construction site and collecting stones.
Each household has contributed at least US$4 towards hiring an excavator, while some families have pledged to donate bags of cement.
Bridge Construction Committee chairperson, Gladwin Siqholo Ncube, said the community had so far secured only seven bags of cement, far short of what is required.
“We are appealing for any assistance, particularly cement. At the moment, we have only seven bags, but we need about 150 bags, or approximately US$2 500, to complete the project. We also need to hire an excavator, but raising the required funds has been difficult because many families are facing financial challenges,” Ncube said.
He said the community plans to construct a reinforced culvert fitted with concrete rings to allow floodwaters to pass safely beneath the road. However, transporting the concrete rings remains another major obstacle because the community has no transport.
Another villager, Chosen Dube, said residents have endured decades of hardship whenever the river floods.
“During the rainy season, we cannot cross the river until the water level goes down. Small vehicles are left stranded on the opposite side, while people are forced to cross on foot when it is safe to do so. Life becomes very difficult,” Dube said.
He said although many young people were willing to provide labour for the project, widespread unemployment had made it difficult for residents to raise enough money.
“We would be grateful for any assistance to help us complete this project. Our goal is to build a proper culvert with concrete rings, but we cannot transport the materials because we have no transport,” he said.
Schoolchildren are among those most affected by the flooded river while a learner from Bhaka Line said rising water levels frequently prevent children from attending school, sometimes causing them to miss lessons and examinations.
“Whenever the river floods, I worry because I cannot get to school. Sometimes I miss examinations because I am stranded, and there are times when I cannot even return home because the river is impassable. I will be very happy if a bridge is built because we will no longer be trapped whenever it rains,” the learner said.
Villagers believe the bridge would provide year-round access to schools, health facilities and markets, while improving the safe movement of people, goods and vehicles between the affected communities.
The community is now appealing to well-wishers, companies, non-governmental organisations and government departments to support the initiative through donations of cement, construction materials, transport services or financial assistance to help turn the long-awaited project into a reality.
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