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 The Legacy of Mdluli: A Name Woven into Heritage and Identity By Bakhile Mdluli The surname Mdluli is more than just a family name; it’s a tapestry woven with history, culture, and resilience. This feature explores the origins, significance, and contemporary stories behind the Mdluli surname, revealing how a name can embody identity and community.The Mdluli surname is predominantly found among the Nguni-speaking peoples of Southern Africa, especially in regions of Eswatini (Swaziland), South Africa, and Mozambique. Historically, the name is associated with traditional leadership and chieftaincy, with many Mdluli families tracing their roots to prominent ancestors who played roles in local governance and cultural preservation. Linguistically, “Mdluli” is believed to derive from the Zulu or Swazi languages, with interpretations linked to terms meaning “protector” or “guardian,” reflecting the esteemed status of those bearing the name within their communities. Over generations, the M...
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Trend story

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  Power Struggles: The New Normal of Electricity On and Off in Eswatini By Mayibongwe Nkambule The unpredictable power outages in the country have disrupted daily life, leaving students and workers frustrated and forcing businesses to adapt. With the Eswatini Electricity Company introducing load shedding, citizens are adjusting to a new reality where power cuts have become part of everyday life. The load shedding implemented by the Eswatini Electricity Company typically occurs between 6:00 am. And 7:30 am in the morning, with each outage lasting about two hours. These blackouts also happen in the evening from 5 pm to 7 pm, making it difficult for people to plan their activities. This is a new experience for many citizens, who are now learning to cope with regular power interruptions something that has long been common in neighbouring countries like South Africa. The Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) introduced load shedding to manage the growing demand on the national grid, espe...
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Beads, Books and Big dreams: How Gcwaliswa is building her future one bead at a time.

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Beads, Books and Big dreams: How Gcwaliswa is building her future one bead at a time . By  Nokuphila   M ahlalela  M babane-  who  said you cannot mix books, beads and content?  a young woman full of creativity, ambition, and determination currently a third-year student , (doing her internship) in Limkokwing university of creative technology in Eswatini, studying for an associate degree in Journalism and media.  G c walisile   Mhlabane  better known as beads by G c waliswa is not just a student, she  is  also a business owner, running a side hustle she calls beads by Gcwaliswa ,  on top of that  she is a model.  G c waliswa smiling for the camera. Cred by Nosipho Mabuza  Her business focuses on creating customized beaded jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, and lanyards. Each item is handmade and designed to suit the customer’s personal style.  This  has allowed her to build a unique brand that is b...
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Trapped in the feed: Eswatini’s Youth Struggle to Log Off

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  By Khanyisile Makhanya In Eswatini, many young people are glued to their phones day and night. Social media has gone beyond fun and turned into a serious problem, affecting how they sleep, study, and feel. Sadly, this is often ignored by adults who don’t see the full damage. In her quiet bedroom in Mbabane, 19-year-old Luyanda Makhanya lies awake, scrolling on her phone. “I always say I’ll stop after ten minutes, but I end up staying on TikTok for hours. I can’t stop myself,” she says with a tired voice. Luyanda’s experience is common among young people countrywide, what began as harmless entertainment has become a serious issue nowadays. Social media addiction is growing quietly and it is hurting the learning and emotions of many teenagers.                               Luyanda trapped in a moment of joy Young people across Eswatini are spending a lot of time on social media every day...
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ONE ROOM , SEVEN CHILDREN, AND A MOTHER'S STRENGTH

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By: Noncedo Nkonyane   One mud and thick room on the edge of Manzini a mother wakes up every day, with seven children by her side, one of them is disabled. With no job, no food, no husband but only disability grant to survive but still manages to smile. Nozipho Hlanze is 42 years old mother of seven children, living in mud and stick one room house in Luhlokohla, Manzini. Her youngest son Ntokozo was born with condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy which requires daily care. Other families worry about what they will wear tomorrow but Nozipho’s concern is, “what will we eat today?” Nozipho never enjoyed life, she lost her husband 2017 after a long illness and life forced him to return back home. She does not have a job, education or qualifications. She moved back home and stayed with her uncle hoping to find work, but Ntokozo’s condition make things even harder, “I am always called for interviews, but who will watch Ntokozo because he can’t walk and eat by himself. He needs me ever...
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