Africa-Press – Eswatini. Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has engaged Emabandla as part of ongoing consultations on the implementation of the Grand Plan for Economic Transformation.
The engagement took place on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, at the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) Auditorium in Ezulwini, bringing together members of Emabandla to deliberate on the country’s long-term strategic framework.
Seeking Wise Counsel
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said the intention was to seek guidance and wise counsel from Emabandla, many of whom have served in various government ministries and departments as both political leaders and civil servants.
He pleaded with them to assist Government in refining and effectively implementing the Grand Plan, noting that it was crafted in response to concerns raised by Emaswati during Sibaya in 2023.
Following the people’s submissions at Sibaya, Mswati III tasked Government with executing the mandate given by the nation. The Prime Minister said the responsibility now rests with Government to translate those aspirations into tangible results.
“The Grand Plan is not Government’s plan alone; it is a response to the voices of the people,” he said.
Broad-Based Consultations
The Prime Minister revealed that he has already consulted Parliament, the private sector and state-owned enterprises on the Grand Plan before meeting Emabandla. He said he continues to seek guidance from Their Majesties on the best approach to broaden consultations and ensure inclusive participation.
He described the engagement with Emabandla as a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration between national leadership and traditional advisory structures.
A Call to Aim High
Officially opening the session, the Prime Minister urged Emaswati to be ambitious and to “aim for the sky” as the country charts its development path. He encouraged participants to think boldly about economic transformation and sustainable development.
The meeting formed part of a wider stakeholder engagement process aimed at ensuring that community voices and local leadership structures actively contribute to shaping Eswatini’s long-term vision.
Discussions were ongoing at the time of reporting, with members of Emabandla posing questions and sharing their views on the implementation of the Grand Plan. The interactive session reflected a collective commitment to defining a shared future vision and ensuring that the country’s transformation agenda is inclusive and practical.
The engagement marks another step in Government’s efforts to build consensus around the Grand Plan for National Transformation, aligning it with the aspirations expressed by citizens and endorsed by the King.
