NEWS
ESWATINI Royal Insurance Corporation (ESRIC) general manager expressed his wish to experience the Mbabane Government Hospital intensive care unit (ICU), following the installation of new state-of-the-art equipment.
The hospital received E216 000, which was directed towards the ICU. ESRIC General Manager (GM) Zama Ngcobo was speaking during the handover ceremony for the company’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme, where about 20 organisations benefitted from the E2.6 million invested by the corporation this year.
Ngcobo made the remark light-heartedly, saying: “I wish to experience the intensive care unit (ICU), not really meaning that I am wishing myself to be admitted there.” He clarified that his comment was a way of acknowledging the high-quality modern equipment that has transformed the ICU’s capacity to save lives.
Mbabane Government Hospital, one of the beneficiaries of the CSI funding, received critical support towards its ICU upgrade. Ngcobo emphasised the life-or-death importance of the unit, noting that ‘the ICU, by any standard, determines whether you live or die’. He fondly used an analogy, observing that many motorists drove around with damaged spare wheels, unaware that such a wheel should always be in perfect condition. Similarly, he said an ICU equipped with the correct tools was essential for giving patients in critical condition the best chance of survival.
Ngcobo stressed that ESRIC’s ability to invest in communities was made possible by the loyalty of its clients. He revealed that the corporation had recently held an event to appreciate and reward its customers. “As long as our clients continue to support us, we will continue to support organisations,” he said.
He added that the corporation took pride in ensuring that its CSI programmes delivered real impact. This, he said, was why many beneficiaries were familiar organisations whose work aligned with ESRIC’s mission to build stronger and healthier communities. Education remains one of the key focus areas for ESRIC. Ngcobo pointed out that many schools in remote areas still lacked essential tools.
Through ESRIC’s support, Mpaka Primary School has now introduced Information Technology (IT) lessons. Skills He stressed that IT skills were no longer optional in today’s world. “Without IT, the current generation cannot stand a chance,” he said. “The question is: when do we start introducing the skill to these children?”
Turning to health, Ngcobo commended Eswatini Diabetes Association for its ongoing impact in communities. Diabetes, he said, remained one of the country’s ‘silent killers’ and if programmes aimed at combating it were not strengthened, its consequences would be felt nationwide. He reaffirmed ESRIC’s commitment to supporting the association and encouraged beneficiaries to offer feedback on how the corporation could further improve its service.
He also urged members of the public to instil the spirit of giving in children, reminding attendees that while many households enjoyed abundance, others had very little, especially during the festive season. Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Enactus Eswatini Country Director Sabelo Dlamini expressed deep appreciation for ESRIC’s contribution. He said the funding empowered organisations to turn bold ideas into meaningful results. “For many organisations, this support keeps essential community programmes alive,” he said.
For Enactus Eswatini specifically, funding fuels the development of entrepreneurial leaders who will create jobs, spark innovation and strengthen Eswatini’s economic fabric. He described ESRIC’s investment as ‘a seed that would yield a harvest of empowered citizens, resilient communities and a stronger Eswatini’. Dlamini pledged that the organisations would continue to be responsible and transparent stewards of the funds entrusted to them.
[Photo Caption] ESRIC General Manager Zama Ngcobo making his remarks during the CSI programme at Mountain View on Monday.
14% of population diabetic
ABOUT 179 000 people, approximately 14% of the country’s population are living with diabetes. This was revealed by the Eswatini Diabetes Association, one of the organisations supported through ESRIC’s CSI programme. Diabetes Eswatini nurse Bethwell Nkambule said the figure included both children and adults, all of whom rely on the association to bring services closer to communities.
He said their outreach activities focused on early awareness to prevent patients from seeking help only when they were already very ill. “We encourage people to form support groups so that those who are already sick do not feel lost and abandoned; hence the motto ‘educate everyone’,” Nkambule said. He added that support groups provided vital guidance on lifestyle changes, including what patients should eat and how they should manage their daily routines.
Nkambule lauded ESRIC for enabling the organisation to reach communities across the country, saying the corporation’s support has been instrumental in strengthening their nationwide outreach.
LIST OF BENEFICIARIES;
- UNESWA Foundation
- Sifundzani High School
- Sifundzani Primary School
- Junior Achievers
- Ekumeni Primary School
- Maloma High School
- Mpaka Railway Primary School
- Enactus
- SSA Farmers Competition
- Breast Cancer Network
- Antivenom
- Mbabane Government Hospital
- Diabetes Eswatini
- Gogo Nde’s Orphanage
- Esicojeni Foundation
- SOS Villages
- Rotary Club, Mbabane
- Zondle Girls Home
- Comerstone
- SWD Darts Association