Africa-Press – Eswatini. In a bold step toward modernising Eswatini’s legal landscape, the Office of the Attorney General (AG) has launched an intensive capacity-building workshop aimed at sharpening the skills of the country’s legislative drafters and law reformers.
The week-long training, which began on Tuesday, 2 December 2025 at Mountain View in Mbabane, is seen as a crucial investment in ensuring that Eswatini’s laws remain relevant, clear, and responsive to the evolving needs of society.
The workshop is a collaborative effort supported by the Commonwealth and the Chandler Institute for Justice (CIJ), an international organisation known for assisting governments across Africa through model laws, specialised law reform initiatives, and governance-strengthening frameworks. The programme is facilitated by renowned experts Dr Johnson Okello, a distinguished legislative drafter from Kenya, and his compatriot Mr Gad Awuonda, a legal and policy consultant. They form part of a broader team of six trainers leading the sessions.
Officially opening the workshop, Attorney General Sifiso Khumalo emphasised the urgent need to enhance legislative drafting competencies across government institutions. He noted that the rapid pace of technological advancement, coupled with emerging governance challenges, demands a new level of expertise from those responsible for crafting the country’s laws.
“As the world changes, legislation must evolve with it,” Khumalo said. “This training ensures that our legal practitioners remain aligned with global standards and capable of drafting laws that are both relevant and forward-looking.”
Khumalo revealed that the initiative originated from his engagement with Commonwealth officials during a meeting in Tanzania two years earlier. Recognising the gaps and pressures facing the local legislative system, he appealed to the organisation for support in strengthening Eswatini’s drafting and law reform capacities. “What we are witnessing today is the fulfilment of that request,” he said.
The Attorney General highlighted that the training comes at a critical time, as Eswatini undertakes a comprehensive review of many outdated laws to align them with contemporary realities and the national Constitution of 2005. He also celebrated a major milestone in the country’s legal reform journey: the passing of legislation establishing the Law Reform Unit in Parliament. The announcement was met with enthusiastic applause from the assembled practitioners.
“The Law Reform Unit was set up with invaluable support from the Commonwealth,” Khumalo added. “Our legislative drafters deal with drafting tasks daily, and this skill is increasingly rare. It is imperative that they receive continuous training to maintain excellence.”
Khumalo further stressed that as technology reshapes societies, laws risk becoming obsolete unless drafters proactively adapt to emerging trends. Clear, well-crafted legislation is essential, he noted, because ordinary citizens confront the effects of legal frameworks every day and must be able to understand what is expected of them.
He extended gratitude to the Commonwealth and the team of facilitators, pledging to formally convey Eswatini’s appreciation at the next international meeting.
CIJ Executive Director Ron Chari praised the AG’s Office for its vision and leadership in hosting the programme. He highlighted the workshop as a testament to Eswatini’s commitment to strengthening governance, democracy, and the rule of law.
“Your dedication lays the foundation for meaningful knowledge exchange and institutional growth,” Chari said, addressing Khumalo and Deputy Attorney General Zandile Dlamini, who directed the event. He also expressed appreciation to the Commonwealth Secretariat representatives Dr Elizabeth Macharia and Susan Jarvis for their transformational work across Africa.
Chari, based in Cape Town, explained that the CIJ was founded by New Zealand-born philanthropist Richard Chandler, who believed that well-crafted laws form the backbone of stable and prosperous societies. Chandler’s philanthropic vision centres on partnering with governments to help build strong legislative frameworks that uplift people and support national development.
Turning to the trainers, Chari lauded Dr Okello and Mr Awuonda for their extensive experience in legislative drafting across the continent. “Their expertise is invaluable, and we are privileged to have them guide this intensive programme,” he said.
Delivering her remarks, Dr Macharia of the Commonwealth offered a powerful metaphor, likening legislative drafters and law reformers to truck drivers hauling heavy loads up steep hills. “They move slowly and steadily, navigating difficult terrain, but when they reach the summit, they can be proud of the work they have done,” she said.
She underscored the complexity of legal drafting, noting that at times the work seems easy and quickly completed, while at other moments it becomes painstaking and intricate. Regardless of the pace, she emphasised, “what ultimately matters is the quality of the work and the number of lives it touches.”
Participants welcomed the workshop as an opportunity to enhance precision, clarity, and accountability in the drafting process—principles that are central to a progressive legal system.
As Eswatini continues its journey toward legal modernisation, this training marks a significant stride in empowering the professionals responsible for shaping the nation’s laws. With improved skills, stronger institutional partnerships, and renewed commitment, the country is positioning itself to craft legislation that meets international standards and supports sustainable development.
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