By Own Correspondent
The sun was barely up, but the energy was already building in Nhlangano yesterday as the Lidlelantfongeni team, also known as the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF), rolled into town. It was the latest stop on their high-impact tour for Customer Service Week 2025, proving that for this national institution, ‘Mission Possible’ is more than just a theme; it is a promise delivered right to the people.
The Fund’s dedicated staff are making personal connections and delivering essential services, transforming what could be a formal transaction into a warm, human-centric interaction. They are not just ticking boxes; they are building trust, helping members with crucial know-your-customer (KYC) updates, answering complex questions about benefits, and empowering emaSwati to secure their financial future. Since kicking off their week-long activation, the team has successfully served over 500 members, cementing Lidlelantfongeni’s position as a truly caring organisation.
This week’s journey began with a surge of activity in the bustling streets of Pigg’s Peak, continued with vibrant engagement in Siteki, and culminated in the enthusiastic welcome from residents in Nhlangano. At each stop, the ENPF booth became a centre of curiosity and commitment, drawing in citizens eager to engage with the people who manage their future security.
For many, the ability to complete administrative tasks and register on the MyENPF digital platform right in their town, avoiding a costly and time-consuming trip to a main office, has been a game-changer. The activities are a palpable demonstration of the organisation’s commitment to people-centred service delivery and its mission to bring world-class service and facilities to every corner of Eswatini.
ENPF Chief Executive Officer, Futhie Tembe, emphasised the evolving tradition.
“We have commemorated this week for years, but this year, under the banner of ‘Mission Possible,’ we are driven by purpose and people,” she said. “It’s about literally meeting our members where they are, ensuring every single person, whether in our cities, towns, or rural communities, knows how to access their benefits easily and confidently. This celebration is not just about awareness; it’s about actively strengthening our ties with the very people we serve.”
Grateful Voices of a Nation: Honouring Lidlelantfongeni
The on-the-ground engagement has yielded immediate, positive feedback, highlighting the crucial role ENPF plays in the lives of ordinary Emaswati:
Siphelele Mabuza, captured the essential nature of the Fund with a simple yet profound observation. “Lidlelantfongeni is so important! It’s our cushion for when we are old and can’t work anymore,” she said. “It promotes the culture of saving for rainy days. I encourage all young people to embrace this and start saving with ENPF while they are still strong and productive.”
Sizwe shared his gratitude for the outreach effort. “I came to check on my savings and was assisted so warmly and thoroughly,” he noted.
“I was even empowered with more information on how to save more. It’s fantastic that the ENPF team left their offices to interact with us. I urge everyone to visit Lidlelantfongeni to get informed and empowered.”
For Bongiwe Bhembe, who has been out of work for two years, the personal touch was invaluable. “I received excellent service and advice today,” she smiled. “I was happy to find out my money has grown, and I was clearly told how to further grow it and access it when the time comes. They even gave me digital skills! Now, I can use the MyENPF App to check my information from the comfort of my home. No need to queue.”
Felicia Tsango, a mobile money agent, was thrilled to learn she could participate in her future savings. “The good spirit and patience of the Lidlelantfongeni team were inspiring. They empowered me, and now I know that even as an agent, I can open my own savings for the future. I’ll start saving money at the end of the month!”
Building a Fairer Universal Future
Beyond the immediate customer service delivery, the ongoing roadshow is also a platform to communicate ENPF’s grander vision: transforming into a universal national pension system. This change is designed to ensure that every single worker, from market vendors and self-employed individuals to professionals, can retire with dignity and financial protection.
CEO Tembe affirmed the inclusive strategy, explaining, “This change is about inclusion and security. We want every worker to be part of a system that guarantees comfort in their older years. This is how we are actively building a fairer, more secure future for all Emaswati.”
The positive reception from the public, many of whom have seen first-hand the difficulty older, non-formal workers face, indicates that the planned move is not just welcome but seen as a necessary step toward national growth and equality.
As ENPF’s Customer Service Week 2025 activities continue, the message is clear: the Fund is not just talking about service; it is living it. Through every personal interaction, the dedicated Lidlelantfongeni team is proving that when people and purpose come together, ‘Mission Possible’ is a human-centric promise in action, building a more secure Eswatini, one handshake and one saving at a time.