Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Government of Eswatini is actively working with international development partners to create opportunities for citizens to pursue Master’s and PhD programmes, even as domestic funding constraints hinder direct support through the national scholarship programme.
This was revealed by Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi during a sitting of the House of Assembly on Tuesday, July 23, 2025, in response to a question raised by Nkilongo MP Sabelo Sibandze, who queried whether government had any plans to fund postgraduate studies for Emaswati.
Minister Buthelezi acknowledged the importance of postgraduate education and said that while it is not currently feasible for government to offer such scholarships directly, the matter is being considered for the future—contingent on improved financial capacity.
“At this point, our primary focus remains ensuring that deserving students can access undergraduate education,” said Buthelezi. “We still face financial constraints that make it difficult to even meet demand at the undergraduate level.”
Undergraduate Demand Still Unmet
He explained that government is under pressure to stretch limited resources to cover first degrees, which remain a critical priority. “It would not be well received to fund postgraduate studies when many Emaswati have not yet had the chance to earn their first degrees,” the minister added.
International Opportunities for Postgraduate Study
However, the minister offered hope, noting that Emaswati are already benefiting from postgraduate opportunities made possible through Eswatini’s bilateral and multilateral relationships. He credited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for working closely with global partners to secure placements and scholarships for higher degrees.
Some of the countries currently hosting Eswatini’s postgraduate students through such collaborations include:
Republic of China (Taiwan)
Russian Federation (Russia)
Republic of Serbia
Kingdom of Morocco
Republic of India
“These partnerships are vital,” Buthelezi noted. “They not only ease the pressure on the government scholarship system but also help develop a globally competitive workforce.”
Long-Term Vision for Higher Education
The minister reiterated government’s commitment to expanding access to education at all levels and said the long-term vision includes support for postgraduate studies, especially in critical fields aligned with national development goals. He called on MPs and stakeholders to continue advocating for investment in education while acknowledging the role of international partners in the current landscape.
While government may not yet offer state-sponsored Master’s and PhD scholarships, Emaswati remain hopeful that through strategic partnerships and future budget expansion, access to advanced education will become a reality for more citizens.
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