MAPHALALENI – Fourteen engineering students from the United States have arrived in Eswatini to support the construction of a suspended footbridge that will link three rural communities.
The group touched down on Friday and was officially received by Thabsile Mlangeni, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development. The students are from Penn State, CU Boulder, and the University of Southern Indiana.
They will work alongside the Engineers in Action (EIA) and the government’s Microprojects Programme to build the Khelekhele suspended footbridge, which will connect Maphalaleni, Kukhanyeni, and Mkhiweni. The project aims to improve access and mobility for residents, especially during the rainy season when rivers swell and become dangerous to cross. 
Mlangeni welcomed the students during a briefing at the Ministry, where she thanked them for their commitment to supporting rural infrastructure. She also acknowledged the value of engineering in addressing the realities of climate change and improving community resilience.
Microprojects Programme Director Sibusiso Mbingo reflected on the partnership with EIA, which began in 2017. He noted that several footbridges constructed through this collaboration have remained durable for more than 15 years. Mbingo also encouraged the visiting team to fully engage with the local communities and learn from EmaSwati culture during their stay.
