Swazi Observer

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OVER E2M ASSETS WASHED AWAY BY CYCLONE ELOISE AT EMFULENI

By Ayanda Dlamini | 2021-01-26

OVER two million Emalangeni worth of assets were totally destroyed by the Tropical Cyclone Eloise at Emfuleni Lifestyle.

This was disclosed by the entity's owner and Director Daladi Dlamini yesterday. The cyclone flooded Emfuleni Lifestyle on Sunday, leaving the entity submerged in water.

According to Dlamini, the double storey accommodation dubbed Emfuleni Lifestyle Boutique Hotel, was also affected, leaving the down stairs' furniture damaged.

The devastated Dlamini said they would have to rebuild the structure and start everything from scratch.

Emfuleni Lifestyle was opened in 2017 primarily as a restaurant and bar and then extended into a hotel in mid 2018, the accommodation features modern yet traditional décor, whist dining in true Eswatini style. Emfuleni Lifestyle offers guests a True Swati experience, being one of the only entertainment spots in Eswatini that has been built on Swazi Nation Land.

Boasting lake views, Emfuleni Lifestyle offers an outdoor swimming pool and a bar, and is only five miles from Royal Botanical Gardens Gate.

There is also a beautifully kept garden and free private parking. Emfuleni Lifestyle has been a home to the arts industry as they have hosted several events such as Miss Cultural Heritage and a couple of festivals and picnics.

Also, most Eswatini companies have hosted their annual Christmas parties at this entity.

Speaking to Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture CEO Stanley Dlamini he was devastated by this disaster.

“This is very sad.

We are so sad to see Emfuleni structure like this. This place has been home to us as we've been hosting several events at no fee.

Structure

“So sorry for the owner as we all know how hard it is to build such a structure from scratch. This is taking us back to 100 years ago in terms of where we were in the industry. May God help them," said Dlamini.

It is worth noting that in Mozambique, where Tropical Cyclone Eloise made landfall on Saturday, preliminary reports indicate that nearly 7 000 people have been displaced and more than 5 000 houses have been destroyed, damaged or flooded, mainly in Buzi, Dondo, Nhamatanda and Beira City, according to the preliminary data from the government.

These numbers could rise in the days ahead as the full extent of the damage becomes known. Since its landfall, according to reports, the Eloise weather system has weakened into an overland depression and moved towards South Africa, bringing heavy rainfall to the far north of the country, as well as to southern Zimbabwe and eastern Botswana.

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