Chief's business to employ over 100 people
LONHLUPHEKO – Over 100 people of Lonhlupheko, under KaLanga Umphakatsi will be employed in three business establishments owned by Chief Jozane Maziya.
On Friday, the chief officially opened the operation of the 24-hour Engen Filling Station and an Engen shop situated at the T-junction of Lonhlupheko-Siteki and Simunye-Manzini roads.
The filling station has been constructed at a site that attracts attention from motorists travelling to Mozambique via Lomahasha and Mhlumeni and those destined to Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa.
The chief, who is also a Senator, was the first customer to fill-up fuel at the filling station and bought items at the shop.
Maziya, who posed with the 24 employed employees of the filling station and shop, together with family and community members, expressed excitement that he had finally lived up to His Majesty King Mswati III’s vision of developing communities through creating job opportunities for the youth.
Divulge
Even though he asked not to divulge the amount of investment in the filling station, shop, hardware and a supermarket, the senator mentioned that it was worth millions of Emalangeni.
He stated that over 80 people would be hired at the supermarket and hardware, to start operations before the end of the year.
The chief said, “His Majesty has thrown a challenge to emaSwati to create an enabling environment aimed at playing a vital role in the development of socio-economic status of our people.
“I believe these businesses will play a significant role in the improvement of the livelihoods of the people of KaLanga as they will have jobs now.”
Maziya, mentioned that his dream was to support the King’s vision of creating job opportunities in rural areas and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
The chief shared that God had been his pillar of strength in ensuring that the established businesses were a success.
Moreover, he urged his subjects to support the established businesses and cut on travelling costs.
He named one of the essential aspects of the development as automated teller machines from the different financial institutions.
These will be inside the hardware, after construction has been completed.
The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) Board member further thanked his family for being supportive during the construction process.
“I am grateful that finally the community and surrounding areas will benefit from the established businesses. I hope more businesses of this nature will be established in communities across the country,” the senator said.
A petrol attendant, Sipho Ntshangase said he was excited that he had been employed and would earn a living and support his family through the salary.
“I was unemployed and forwarded my application. I was then called for an interview. It is an honour for all of us who have been employed to ensure that we behave well while doing our duties,” he said.
Promotion
Meanwhile, in the promotion of a crime-free society, KaLanga Umphakatsi Chief Jozane Maziya has donated a structure on his business premises to be used as a police post at the Lonhlupheko area.
The chief said the donation was in good faith, to ensure that the community of Lonhlupheko reported criminal elements within the area.
Maziya stated that the establishment of the filling station, a hardware and supermarket within the Lonhlupheko community was important in developing the area and in improving the lives of those who would be employed there.
The chief said the police post had a reception area and a holding room, with an office to ensure that records were kept in a safe area.
“I am so grateful that I have made it a point to pledge the structure for the police post. It is ready to operate as there is furniture that has been fitted inside it. I am optimistic that the Lonhlupheko community will work collectively with the police officers to be stationed at the police post in reporting criminal elements,” he said.
Thenjiwe Maziya, a vendor operating a market stall situated 100m from the police post expressed excitement on the pledged police post, mentioning that crime would be eliminated around the Lonhlupheko community.
She stated that the increase in the number of alcohol selling places around the community were triggers of crime and exacerbated criminal elements among the youth.
“We are so happy that finally we will have a police post, where we can report crime in a short space of time after it has happened.
“It is gratifying that the chief has changed the economic landscape of the area through the establishment of the businesses and also employing our children,” the vendor said.