Africa-Press – Eswatini. Minister of Education and Training, Owen Nxumalo, has appointed a high-level Implementation Committee to drive critical reforms aimed at strengthening governance, improving academic quality, stabilising operations, and ensuring long-term sustainability at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA).
The appointment was announced on Wednesday, 26 November 2025 at the Ministry of Education and Training Conference Room in Mbabane.
The committee will oversee, coordinate and monitor the execution of key recommendations arising from the Task Force investigation into UNESWA’s financial, academic and governance challenges. The Task Force report highlighted systemic weaknesses requiring urgent corrective action to safeguard the future of the institution.
The newly appointed Implementation Committee comprises:
Dr Alex Tsela (Chairperson)
Kobla Quashie
Professor Zodwa Motsa
Musa Ndzabandzaba
Meluleki Ndlangamandla
Mboni Dlamini and
Mcolisi Stan Maphosa.
Minister Nxumalo described the committee’s establishment as a decisive, forward-looking step towards restoring confidence in UNESWA as a responsive, accountable and high-performing institution of higher learning.
“Our focus is on strengthening financial management, improving academic governance, and aligning the university’s operations with national development goals,” he said. “These reforms will ensure that UNESWA remains a pillar of excellence in teaching, research and innovation.”
Mandate of the Implementation Committee
The committee has been tasked with driving a comprehensive reform agenda that addresses critical issues including:
Weaknesses in internal controls and financial systems
Budget efficiency and expenditure management
Academic programme quality and accreditation processes
Institutional governance and Council oversight
Operational stability and long-term sustainability
Additionally, the committee will assess the feasibility of transitioning from the current input-based funding model to a performance-based funding formula that supports efficiency, accountability and improved outcomes.
Key Deliverables
As part of its mandate, the committee will:
Review and prioritise all Task Force recommendations
Develop a sequenced implementation roadmap
Translate reforms into actionable, costed programmes
Establish clear timelines and accountability frameworks
Engage key stakeholders such as the UNESWA Council, Senate, management, Treasury, ESHEC and EQA
Provide a structured monitoring and evaluation framework
Identify and address capacity gaps through training, restructuring or technical support
The committee is expected to submit:
An inception report within 30 days
A detailed implementation plan
A monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework
Quarterly progress reports
A final consolidated report at the end of its 12-month term
Commitment to a Stronger UNESWA
Minister Nxumalo expressed confidence in the committee members, noting their expertise in financial management, higher education governance, policy analysis, academic quality assurance, legal frameworks and change management.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the reform process, emphasising that the intervention reflects government’s dedication to safeguarding the integrity of higher education.
“This work is essential to ensuring that UNESWA emerges stronger, more resilient and well-positioned to fulfil its national mandate,” he concluded. “A stable, accountable and high-quality university system is vital for Eswatini’s progress, innovation and sustainable development.”
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