From Long Walks to Local Access

When we sat down with Make Colly Kessiah Mdluli of Makhonza, she shared the daily challenges faced by women and young girls in her community—long walks to distant natural springs and the constant uncertainty of accessing safe water. These experiences reflect a reality many rural communities have endured for years.

That story, however, is now changing.

With the completion of a new water kiosk in Makhonza, the community has gained a reliable source of safe, potable water—bringing both relief and renewed hope. What was once a difficult journey for water is now a nearby, accessible service that restores time, dignity, and opportunity, particularly for women and young girls.

Through the Eswatini Water Supply and Sanitation Access Project (EWSSAP), the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, in partnership with the World Bank, is making significant strides in improving water access across the Shiselweni Region. The Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC), as the lead implementing agency, is driving the delivery of this transformative project on the ground.

The initiative is set to provide access to potable water to over 11,880 emaSwati in the current phase, with the full project expected to benefit up to 38,000 people.

For communities like Makhonza, this is more than infrastructure—it is a meaningful step toward improved health, greater safety, and enhanced quality of life. As water flows closer to home, so too does opportunity.