Progress

Recent Developments include the following on the Eswatini side:

506 graves have been relocated and 235 households will be resettled in Eswatini.
The land acquisition process is at an advanced stage
A structure at grass roots level comprising of project affected people (PAPs) is in place to address all resettlement issues. A participatory process to relocate graves in Eswatini has been concluded.
A robust consultative process with traditional authorities and other stakeholders like the Manzini Regional Administrator, Chiefs and Government ministries is ongoing.
Complete adherence to regulatory and statutory requirements lies at the core of the entire project.
The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini is in full support of the project as evidenced by its mention in the 2017/18 Government of Eswatini budget speech.

Significant amount of work has been done also on the South African Side:

The feasibility studies of the Greenfield are complete and the authorities in South Africa and Eswatini have granted both teams the necessary environmental permits
Approximately 100 graves have been exhumed and relocated
The Socio Economic Assessment in the Mpumalanga area to determine the level of skills available, types of small businesses available to boost local employment and business opportunities.
The purchasing of approximately 506 hectares is at an advanced stage
The plans to resettle the affected households are also in progress.
Feasibility studies of the existing lines that need to be upgraded, that is, Ermelo to Lothair as well as Golela to Nsese are also in progress.
Engagements are being conducted on a continuous basis with all stakeholders.

Construction will commence as soon as the funding is finalised. However, some of the enabling works, such as acquisition of land and the relocation of affected households are ongoing.