Africa-Press – Eswatini. Acting Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla has officially closed the historic Eswatini Local Government Conference, sending a clear message that the journey to decentralised and people-driven governance has only just begun.
In a powerful statement delivered on her behalf by Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo, the Acting PM hailed the three-day gathering as a milestone in Eswatini’s development story, commending delegates for engaging meaningfully under the banner of “One Country, One System of Local Government.”
“This conference has surpassed all anticipations and desires in every conceivable way,” said the Acting Prime Minister.
“The collective will of Emaswati has been evident as over 500 participants from every facet of society converged with a united resolution to shape a unified local government system deeply rooted in the Tinkhundla System of Government.”
She noted that the nation’s future governance system must not only be inclusive and effective, but also aligned with the values and traditions that define the Kingdom’s political identity.
With energy and resolve, Dladla reiterated Government’s commitment to operationalising Chapter XIII of the Constitution, twenty years after its adoption, describing the task as “no longer a distant aspiration but an urgent necessity.”
Acknowledging the robust debates and lively engagement from all corners, the Acting PM said the limitation of time underscored “the imperative need for more frequent consultative forums.”
She commended the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development for driving the process and encouraged the institutionalisation of civic education on the Tinkhundla governance model.
“We cannot expect other nationalities to understand what the Tinkhundla System of Government entails if we have not availed concise documentation of this system nor disseminated such knowledge at national level,” she cautioned.
Turning to the international delegates from Ghana, Zambia, Kenya and South Africa, the Acting Prime Minister expressed deep gratitude for their candid insights on decentralisation. “Your honesty and dignity affirm that decentralisation through devolution is a transformative process that we must embark on.”
On the youth, she was full of praise, saying their “fresh ideas and energy guarantee a vibrant future.” She encouraged them to stay engaged and seize every opportunity to shape service delivery and accountability at grassroots level.
Looking ahead, the Acting PM said Government is pursuing an ambitious goal to accelerate economic growth to 12% annually by the 2029 fiscal year.
She noted the recent Eswatini Investment Conference, where over E37 billion in pledges were secured, as evidence that the country is gearing up for major transformation.
“Decentralisation is key to driving infrastructure development and ensuring that the benefits of economic growth reach all corners of our nation,” she said.
As she wrapped up, Dladla urged delegates to carry the momentum forward: “Let us translate the insights gained and resolutions adopted into concrete actions that will benefit all Emaswati… We are indeed building a stronger, more unified Eswatini, one community at a time.”
The message was clear: consultation, collaboration, and constitutionalism will define the path forward as Eswatini crafts a new chapter in local governance.
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