Nhlangano plans major road, drainage upgrades

NHLANGANO — Nhlangano Town Council plans to rehabilitate nearly two kilometres of roads and construct new drainage systems during the 2026/27 financial year.

The projects were announced during the council’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the EWSC Auditorium, where Chief Executive Officer Babsy Mavuso presented the council’s performance for the past financial year and its plans for the year ahead.

The planned roadworks include the rehabilitation of 800 metres of road in Two Sticks, 130 metres along Elim Street and 950 metres on King George Street.

The council will also continue with road grading, pothole patching and re-gravelling as part of its road maintenance programme.

A further 400 metres of drainage will be constructed in the Mshengu and Ndwandwe areas to improve stormwater management.

The council also plans to install three additional high-mast lights in Extension 2, Extension 6 and Mathendele.

The infrastructure plans build on projects completed during the previous financial year.

Among the completed projects was the transformation of Phepha Street in Mathendele into a five-metre-wide concrete road with side drains and road markings.

The council also constructed a 300-square-metre interlocking paved walkway along Sikhonkwane Street near the Post Office to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility in the central business district.

Sanitation infrastructure in informal settlements was also expanded through a partnership with the Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC).

The first phase of the project is 88 per cent complete, with 367 of the planned 417 toilet units already constructed in areas including Mangwaneni and Mathendele.

The council reported that public health and town maintenance activities included joint retail inspections and food hygiene seminars at 82 outlets.

It also provided informal trade policy training to 51 vendors and installed 80 public waste bins as part of town beautification and cleanliness initiatives.

Maintenance was carried out on 93 solar streetlights, 17 high-mast lights and three traffic signal points.

On financial governance, the council received an unqualified audit opinion on its financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2026.

The council also outlined several community development projects for the new financial year.

These include the construction of multipurpose sports courts and playgrounds in Mathendele and Macalpine, youth empowerment initiatives through local economic projects and stipends for community police officers.

The council also plans to host the Mayor’s Cup tournament.

In town planning, council said it would advance plans to relocate the local cemetery to a new site and pursue public-private partnerships, including finalising contracts for the proposed Bus Rank Commercial Centre.

Nhlangano Town Councillors and mayor during the Annual General Meeting.

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