... Bishop Bhekibandla hails King
MANKANAYE – He was doing Form I when the King last visited Mankayane. He is an MP today. This is the story of Bishop Bhekibandla Vilakati, the MP of Ngwempisi Inkhundla.
Mankayane is a town under his constituency. Vilakati said the community, including himself, were excited about the opportunity to host the King’s Birthday.
Vilakati said this was a blessing, adding that they were fortunate that the King remembered them. He described the privilege as a blessing from God, wherein His Majesty would once again return to celebrate his birthday in the rural town.
The MP revealed that he was still doing Form I when His Majesty the King visited Mankayane.
“To me, this is history”, he said.
Vilakati said the King’s visit always brought development to areas and expressed confidence that his coming to Mankayane would benefit the town and its people.
As residents of Mankayane, the MP said they would take advantage of the opportunities that came along with the King’s visit.
The MP did not mince his words when he said the town was not developing as fast as it should. He said it terms of status, Mankayane should be a big town just like Nhlangano or Manzini, but that this was not the case. He said instead, the town was being overtaken but others like Pigg’s Peak and Buhleni.
Vilakati said he was hopeful that now that the King would visit the area, this was a great opportunity for the town to grow bigger than what it was and that for development to take place.
He said the town already had major projects that they were working on, and that they would mention some of the projects to His Majesty.
The MP said he was hopeful that through His Majesty donors or funders would take the opportunity to invest in the town so that it could develop.
David Madlopha, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mankayane Town Board, did not hide his excitement about the King’s Birthday being held in the rural town of Mankayane. He said the King’s presence always brought development to the area and that this would likely be the same for Mankayane like it has been in other towns such as Buhleni.
Madlopha said the town was ready to host the event but also revealed that the preparations were being done by a select committee which was also already working to ensure that the day ran smoothly.
Noteworthy, His Majesty the King’s Birthday rotates by region. Since there are four regions in the country, the event is moved from one region to another. However, this is also a national event that not only attracts that specific region but the whole country.
Also, during the same month of the King’s Birthday, His Majesty the King meets business owners of that specific area. This makes the birthday not only a celebration but an event of networking for business owners as well as investors who also take advantage of the King’s presences.
Noteworthy, it is also at such events where the King issues commands that lead to development.
The King’s Birthday celebration is also known to attract foreign gates, including delegates and tourists who arrive to witness the event.