FOUR BULEMBU STUDENTS SECURE TERTIARY SCHOLARSHIPS

BY PHUMELELE GAMEDZE

MBABANE – Four students from Bulembu Ministries have secured tertiary education scholarships, opening doors to brighter futures as Deputy Prime Minister Senator Thulisile Dladla calls for stronger partnerships to protect vulnerable children and support family reunification.

Speaking during her visit to Bulembu Ministries on Monday, October 26, 2026, Dladla celebrated the achievement, emphasising the importance of ensuring that children who have lost parental care have access to education and opportunities to build independent lives.

“Education remains the key that unlocks a better future,” she said.

The scholarships followed a call by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office for residential child care facilities across Eswatini to identify learners in need of financial assistance. The office subsequently requested the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s Scholarship Unit to prioritise these students.

As a result, four learners from Bulembu Ministries were awarded scholarships and are now pursuing their studies at different tertiary institutions across the country.

The initiative highlights the importance of targeted government support in helping vulnerable children access higher education, develop their potential and prepare for life beyond residential care.

CARE THAT GOES BEYOND SHELTER

Dladla commended Bulembu Ministries for its collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare in reuniting children with their families and providing continued support after they return home.

“I am deeply moved by what I have seen, a home that offers not just shelter, but love, dignity, education and hope,” she said.

She also highlighted the Decent Shelter Programme, through which two children placed at the facility had benefited from housing support for their families.

One of the homes belonging to a reunited family was nearing completion, while construction work continued on the second.

“This is exactly what family strengthening should look like, ensuring that when a child returns home, they return to a safe and dignified environment,” Dladla said.

Bulembu Ministries reports that it has supported more than 400 children through family-style homes, education and healthcare, demonstrating its commitment to improving the lives of children in need of care and protection.

A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

The visit aligns with the priorities outlined in Eswatini’s National Plan of Action for Children 2023–2027, which promotes children’s rights, development, protection and overall well-being.

Dladla expressed gratitude to caregivers, teachers and staff for their dedication to nurturing and supporting the children. She also encouraged the learners to remain committed to their education and believe in their potential.

“Your past does not define your future,” she told them.

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with residential care facilities and development partners to ensure that vulnerable children have access to quality education, protection and opportunities to build better futures.

The visit underscored the importance of a coordinated approach to child welfare, with education, family reunification and continued support playing a critical role in helping children transition into independent and productive lives.

Ultimately, protecting vulnerable children requires more than providing shelter. It calls for sustained investment in education, strengthened family support systems and partnerships that ensure every child has the opportunity to grow up with dignity, security and hope.