Africa-Press – Eswatini. Municipal leaders from Southern Africa met in Matsapha to prepare for the SAIMSA Games, as Eswatini confirmed its readiness to host the regional sporting event from 20 September 2026.
The road to the 2026 Southern Africa Inter Municipal Sports Association (SAIMSA) Games gathered momentum yesterday as team managers from participating countries met in Matsapha to lay the groundwork for a successful regional tournament.
Hosted at EIMPA, the meeting brought together representatives from municipalities across Southern Africa as part of preparations for the week long games, which Eswatini will host from 20 September 2026. The session focused on finalising the rules that will govern the competition and inspecting the sporting facilities that will welcome athletes from across the region.
The meeting also reflected the shared commitment of participating countries to ensuring the tournament promotes not only sporting excellence but also stronger partnerships among municipalities.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Simon Zwane, attended the meeting on behalf of the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Appolo Maphalala, to officially welcome the delegates.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Zwane assured delegates that Eswatini is committed to successfully hosting the SAIMSA Games and will make the necessary arrangements to ensure the event runs smoothly.
He further highlighted the important role municipalities play in driving economic growth within their respective countries. He encouraged delegates to use the regional gathering as an opportunity to learn from one another by sharing experiences and adopting best practices that can improve service delivery in their communities.
Dr. Zwane also stressed that employee wellness remains an essential part of effective municipal service delivery. He noted that the relationships built and lessons shared during the September games are expected to contribute to improved day-to-day operations within municipalities long after the tournament has ended.
Beyond the sporting competitions, the SAIMSA Games continue to serve as a platform for strengthening regional cooperation, encouraging professional networking and promoting the exchange of ideas among local authorities across Southern Africa.
With key preparations now underway and facilities inspected ahead of the tournament, Eswatini is steadily positioning itself to deliver a successful event that showcases the country’s hospitality, organisational capacity and commitment to regional collaboration.
As the countdown to 20 September continues, anticipation is growing that the SAIMSA Games will leave a lasting legacy by bringing municipalities together through sport while inspiring stronger cooperation and improved service delivery across the region.
