Two decades without infrastructural development for the residents of Mashayineni.

 By: Siphesihle Ndwandwe 

Across the four regions of Eswatini, Manzini stands tall as the second-most developed in terms of infrastructure. Yet, tucked in its mountainous terrain lies a forgotten place called Mashayineni. This is a community where time seems to have stood still. For over 20 years, the residents of Mashayineni and surrounding areas like Kamlungu have lived with an unnavigable gravel road. The road has stripped these people of basic access to transport, health care, and opportunities for development.    

       (pic: Nosisa) Damaged road of Mashayineni

The narrow, crumbling gravel road that winds through Mashayineni is more than an inconvenience; it’s a threat. Sharp stones and washed-out sections make travel nearly impossible, especially during the rainy season. The road has resulted in public transport being scarce, using scheduled time. There is a minibus that passes through Mashayineni at 6:30 am and a bus that goes around 7:00 am. This means that everyone who wants to use this transport should be at the bus stop early in the morning. Primary school-going children shiver at the bus stop with sleepy eyes. Some who fail to wake up early are forced to walk for hours on bushy paths just to attend classes. This has made parents live with fear for their children’s lives. As children are victims of recent killings of children in Eswatini. Most parents have made it a point to accompany their children to and from school to try and protect them.

(pic: Facebook, nelsons page) A mother walking her children to school

The absence of a proper road goes far beyond inconvenience. Ambulances from Mankayane government hospital fail to reach Mashayineni in time during emergencies. This has made life unbearable for the residents, especially those who are poor. The poor residents are forced to hire taxis, which many cannot afford. An elderly woman of a Sacolo family lost her life after having an attack of high blood pressure. It is said that the incident occurred around 10:00 am, and there was no public transport to take her to the hospital, which is about 20 km away. 

Pregnant women who are close to their due dates are forced to relocate to places close to the hospital. Those who have no relative close to Mankayane Hospital relocate to the hospital a week before labour, just to stay safe. “I left my child behind for a while a week before giving birth”. Said a 32 Year-old mother. Public transport operators have abandoned the route, and those few trying to help the people of Mashayineni have scheduled time. So it does not make a difference. Over the years, Mashayineni residents have tried talking to their chief at Lushikishini, complaining about their struggles due to the road. Progress still remain elusive. All the elected MPs are alleged to have made promises to the residents to develop the road. However, when they get what they want, which is becoming members of parliament, they forget all their promises. The local (Indvuna) indicates that all the people of Mashayineni want is a road, a basic human need. 

Despite the hardship, the community has adapted painfully. Small children attending primary school walk long distances, 5 km, to school in neighbouring areas. When these children come back from school, they are unable to do home chores due to tiredness. When it’s time to go to school the next day, some cry, saying they don’t want to go to school. The children recent behaviours have brought fear among parents. They are scared that their children will hate school, whereas education is important. 

The community members have created a small road maintenance group, using shovels and wheelbarrows to patch the worst parts of the road. “We do it ourselves, not because we want but because no one else will,” said Sifiso Dlamini, one of the youth volunteers. 

 Pic: facebook) Youth volunteers trying to fix the road

In a country striving toward Vision 2022 and beyond, the people of Kamlungu and Mashayineni are still waiting for their first real step forward. They are not asking for luxury—just a proper road. A path to the clinic. A way to school. A route out of fear.