Mbabane – Mbabane East Member of Parliament Welcome Dlamini has expressed disappointment over the decision to turn the former SASSCO Building in the city centre into government offices, arguing that the prime property could have been used to bring more economic activity and life to Mbabane.
Mp made the remarks while delivering a vote of thanks during the launch of the eighth edition of the Mbabane Marathon, where he described the use of the building for government offices as a waste of a potentially vibrant commercial facility.
The building, now known as the Mlamuli Building and located on Libandla Street, has been occupied by several government ministries and departments, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Service, Ministry of Sport, Culture and Youth Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Economic Planning and Development.
Dlamini said although he welcomed development taking place in the capital city, he was unhappy that such a prominent building had been converted into office space.
“What a waste of a beautiful building. Taking that building and making it government offices, really, it is a waste,” he said.
The MP argued that the building could have been used for commercial and entertainment activities that would attract more people into the city centre and contribute to the local economy.
He said Mbabane still lacked sufficient entertainment facilities, including a cinema, and suggested that the building could have accommodated such developments.
Dlamini said residents could not all be expected to travel to Corporate Place and other areas for entertainment and leisure activities, while a major building in the heart of the capital was used mainly as office space.
According to the MP, government offices would largely make the building active only during working hours, from about 8am to 5pm, leaving little activity after hours.
He said a different use of the building could have helped create a more vibrant city centre, with activities continuing beyond normal government working hours.
Dlamini therefore pleaded with the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Apollo Maphalala, to raise his concerns with Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini.
He said his message to the Prime Minister was clear: he was not happy that the building had been turned into government offices.
The MP said Mbabane needed developments that would bring people into the city and create more economic activity, particularly in the downtown area.
However, he acknowledged that there were developments taking place in the city and said he appreciated efforts aimed at improving Mbabane.
Dlamini also revealed that Minister of Public Service Mabulala Maseko had, during a telephone conversation, defended the decision from a business perspective.
According to Dlamini, Maseko said having government ministries occupy the building made business sense because government offices would consistently be able to pay rates.
The former SASSCO Building, situated at Plot 3161 on Libandla Street and owned by the Public Service Pensions Fund, has become home to several key government offices following their relocation.
The Ministry of Economic Planning and Development has also relocated its core departments and units to the building, although the Central Statistical Office and the Microprojects Programme Coordinating Unit remain at their previous premises.
Dlamini’s comments have now raised questions about whether prime buildings in Mbabane’s city centre should primarily be used for government administration or whether some should be developed into commercial, entertainment and other facilities capable of creating a more active capital beyond normal working hours.
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