Update on on-going Infrastructure Rehabilitation Projects; Heacy Rains Delay Reconstruction
…municipality pleads for patience and understanding as upgrading continues around the city!
Through its 2019-2024 Integrated Development Plan (IDP), the municipality is pursuing a strategic objective of improving infrastructure development and maintenance while ensuring efficient traffic management in the city by 2024. Under this objective, the municipality is currently implementing two Infrastructure Development & Road Rehabilitation Projects Packages, which include the Construction of Bosco Bridge, Rehabilitation of Southern Distributor, Mimosa and Tikhuba Roads under the first package. The major construction and road tarring has been completed on this package and what is left is the finalization of minor works which include the construction of storm water drains for feeder roads; Mfomfo, Mnumbela, Mncozi, and Mcobhe streets. The second package consist of the rehabilitation of selected roads within the Central Business District (CBD), which include Meintjies, Mahleka, Martin, Masalesikhundleni and Tenbergen Streets. Major construction works are currently ongoing in this package, which has resulted in temporary road closures on a number of streets around the CBD. These include a portion of Tenbergen Street, next to the Satellite Bus Rank, which has been temporary closed due to the on-going road base stabilization works in preparation for tarring. Motorists travelling into the city centre through these roads are requested to use alternative routes like the SACRO Road passing through the new MITRA Fuel Station and the Springle Farm Road connecting through the Bosco Bridge. Road base stabilization works are also in progress on the same street next to Sydney Williams and on Masalensikhundleni Street.
Further stabilization works are carried on the intersection of Meintjies Street and Central Distributor Road next to Manzini Infant Practicing Primary School. Both packages are projected to have been completed by the end of the 1st Quarter of the 2023/2024 Financial Year.
One of the major derails for achieving full capacity for the rehabilitation of infrastructure in the city is the change in weather patterns. The recent downpour of rains received by the country has resulted to numerous damage on various city roads, which has negatively affected the storm-water drainage system, and further delayed the ongoing progress infrastructure projects. However, the Municipality is aware and fully committed to ensure that the aforementioned issue is resolved. Council pleads for understanding and cooperation from all residents and stakeholders whilst the roads rehabilitations are in progress.
INFORMAL TRADING; DOBHA PHANSI, FLEA MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE WITHIN THE CITY
Updates on the Dobha Phansi Informal Trading (Second hand clothing)
As a “Trading Hub”, Manzini continues to attract increased demand for informal sector trading spaces against a constrained land spaces allocated to this sector. Notwithstanding the fact that land is a fixed asset which does not increase as traders increases, the municipality has deployed various strategies in an endeavor to accommodate the increased demand for trading spaces. Following concerns relating to the operations of the Dobha Phansi (Bend and Pick) Trading, the Municipality has resorted that second hand-clothing traders will operate only two days a week, Fridays and Saturdays at the Manzini Main Bus rank. Mondays and Tuesdays at the Manzini Trade Hub mainly for everyone, which makes trading for second hand clothing available for (4) days per week. Wednesdays and Thursdays are dedicated to permit holding second hand clothing traders however; they are free to partake on the other trading days as they come at a first-come-first serve basis. The rationale behind the allocated days is so that more economic opportunity is available to most Emaswati who would be interested to sell their second hand clothing. Council would like to present the following informal trading opportunities available for Manzini citizens with the necessary requirements;
- With effect from the 10th March 2023, Fridays and Saturdays will be dedicated to hosting of a second hand clothing flea market at the main bus rank. The flea market will be open to anyone who wishes to trade at the site, including permit holders.
- An additional flea market opportunity is being availed at the Manzini Trade Hub on Mondays and Tuesdays. This is with effect from the 13th March 2023. Again, both permit and non-permit holders who are interested in taking advantage of that opportunity will be allowed to do so.
- Allocation of space for the flea market, at both the main bus rank and Trade Hub, will be done on a first-come-first-served basis. A nominal fee will be charged.
- Permit-holding second hand clothing traders are expected to have reverted to the original trading arrangement of two days per week (Wednesdays and Thursdays); with effect from the 3rd March 2023.
- Quarterly CBD (Lauw Street between Eswatini Bank, and Bhunu Mall) Flea markets will continue to be available and constant communication will be issued in due course.
- Township Flea Market are hosted per township in liaison with residents from that particular township. Dates and other necessary information are finalized upon engagements with the residents.