Africa-Press – Eswatini. Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has expressed profound appreciation to the Republic of South Africa for continuously prioritising Eswatini in electricity supply, even during South Africa’s most challenging periods of power constraints.
The Prime Minister conveyed his gratitude on Saturday, 29 November 2025, during a courtesy visit by South Africa’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramakgopa. The meeting was held at the Royal Villa in Ezulwini, where Dr Ramakgopa and his high-ranking delegation met the Prime Minister following earlier engagements with Eswatini’s Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, His Royal Highness Prince Lonkhokhela.
Dr Ramakgopa’s working visit, which began on Friday, 28 November and concluded the following day, focused on deepening cooperation between the two countries in securing reliable and adequate energy supply for their peoples. The visit follows discussions held during the Africa Energy Week in Cape Town in June 2025, where the two ministers explored shared interests in energy security. It was during those engagements that Prince Lonkhokhela extended an invitation to Dr Ramakgopa to continue the dialogue in Eswatini, resulting in the weekend’s meetings.
The courtesy visit brought together prominent figures from the energy sectors of both nations. Dr Ramakgopa’s delegation included National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA)/Eskom Chief Executive Officer Monde Bala, Chief Director Elizabeth Marabwa, and other senior officials.
Eswatini’s delegation included Minister Prince Lonkhokhela, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy Lindiwe Mbingo, Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) Board Chairperson Patrick Myeni, EEC Board Member Her Royal Highness Princess Sibahle, EEC Managing Director Ernest Mkhonta, and EEC Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager Khaya Mavuso, among others.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Dlamini said he was confident that the bilateral energy discussions would produce meaningful results, especially in identifying strategies to increase electricity generation and supply for both countries. He commended the ministers for their commitment to advancing energy security.
“Honourable Ministers, I am encouraged by your deliberate and conscious effort to meet and discuss these important matters of energy. You met earlier in June in Cape Town, and now you meet again here in Eswatini,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of ministerial-level engagements in clarifying and resolving issues that support mutual national interests. The Prime Minister also expressed hope for tangible progress, underscoring His Majesty King Mswati III’s directive for government to operate with speed — Nkwe! — in advancing Eswatini’s socio-economic development agenda. He noted that electricity lies at the heart of this agenda as it drives economic growth.
Reaffirming Eswatini’s commitment to collaboration, the Prime Minister highlighted the strong neighbourly and trade relations between the two nations.
“As Africans, we understand that one reed is easy to break, but a bundle is much stronger. Our success as a region depends on our unity and cooperation,” he said.
He concluded by thanking Dr Ramakgopa and his delegation, wishing blessings upon both countries as they continue working together.
Responding to the Prime Minister’s remarks, Dr Ramakgopa expressed his gratitude for the audience granted to him and his team. He emphasised that South Africa values its relationship with Eswatini highly, noting that the two nations are “one people” who share deep cultural similarities.
He added that although the two countries are separated by borders — which both sides respect — Eswatini is one of South Africa’s largest export partners. This, he said, demonstrates not just neighbourly ties but a deep alignment in political, social, and economic interests.
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