By Bongiwe Dlamini

EZULWINI:Dennis Mbingo,the First National Bank(FNB) Chief Executive Officer(CEO) has, on behalf of the financial institution,presented nine hundred and forty-four thousand Rands(R944,000.00) to the Eswatini Action Group Against Abuse(SWAGAA) amid fight against Gender Based Violence(GBV).

The presentation event was held at the Royal Villas-Ezulwini on Tuesday morning,the bank further made donations amounting to five hundred thousand Rands(R500,000.00) to the Eswatini Environmental Authority(EEA)and four hundred thousand Rands(R400,000.00) to Kwakha Indvodza.

Nonhlanhla Dlamini,the SWAGAA Executive Director thanked FNB for the contribution adding that,such support “brings hope to the victims” of abuse.

“On behalf of SWAGAA,I stand before you humbled and deeply grateful for the continued support from the FNB Foundation.This generous donation is not just a contribution; it\'s a testament to your unwavering commitment to fighting gender-based violence (GBV) in Eswatini.

We are acutely aware of the recent surge in GBV cases, and your support arrives at a critical moment. This renewed partnership empowers SWAGAA to further strengthen our response efforts and ensure the safety and well-being of more Emaswati. It will also allow our staff to debrief as failure to do so can result in vicarious trauma. Often times people think we are strong yet we are also humane and we feel and carry the pain of our clients. Nothing hurts like seeing a 11-year-old child pregnant, yes pregnant and you ask yourself what has gone wrong in our society, what happened to the spirit of Ubuntu.There is nothing that is as painful as being called by the media houses on a daily basis to make some comments on gruesome murder, gang rape or suicide. Often times we are emotionally drained, exhausted and don’t even know what to say but we have no option but to make a comment and it hurts so badly”, said the SWAGAA Executive Director.

Eswatini Non-Governmental Organizations(NGOs) has been struggling to secure local funding despite their social programs that contribute to create a just society and FNB as become among the corporate entities that have taken a lead in supporting social programs by NGOs.