By Sakhile Dlamini

Swatini Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA),receives funding amounting to Seven Hundred and Eighty Six Thousand Five Hundred and Seventy Emalangeni only (E786 570.00) awarded by the FNB Eswatini Foundation.

A handover ceremony was conducted for the sponsorship at Malandela’s in Malkerns, this morning where SWAGAA Director received the ceremonial cheque on behalf of the organization. 

In his remarks, the FNB CEO and FNB Eswatini Foundation Chairperson Mr Dennis Mbingo, appreciated the tremendous work done bySWAGAA in preventing and responding to Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the country, further adding how rife the scourge of GBV is and how therefore without the interventions by SWAGAA the country would be far worse off and GBV survivors would have nowhere to run to. 

Mbingo recognized government’s effort in GBV response and noted with concern however, how funds and resources were necessary for a meaningful impact, hence the Foundation’s commitment and decision to contributing through the sponsorship. 

The recognition and appreciation of SWAGAA’s work by FNB Foundation,and the corporate sector in extension served as great motivation; sentiments that were shared by the SWAGAA Executive Director in her remarks, stating how this funding would go a long way in the prevention and response to gender based violence. 

She further urged other corporate companies and businesses to follow suit in supporting Civil Society Organizations particularly the GBV sector as local and corporate funding was quite scarce. 

The Executive Directorremarked that corporate is much easier and willing to support sports and entertainment and therefore, it is about time that they considered contributing to social issues as well. 

The award ceremony was graced by the office of the Deputy Prime Minister represented by the Under Secretary Ms. Hlobsile Dlamini, SWAGAA and Phumelela Projects who were both present to receive their sponsorship funding.