Africa-Press – Eswatini. His Majesty King Mswati III has entrusted newly appointed Chief Fire Officer Luke T. Lushaba with a crucial mandate — to ensure that firefighters across Eswatini remain motivated and happy as they serve the nation.
This directive was made during the second edition of the Eswatini National Fire Day, held at Matsapha International Airport, where the King, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Eswatini National Fire and Emergency Services (ENFRES), announced several key promotions within the department.
Lushaba, visibly overcome with joy, stepped forward towards the King prematurely before being formally called — a moment that reflected both his excitement and deep gratitude at the honour bestowed upon him. He was then officially announced as Chief Fire Officer, taking the helm of a department central to safeguarding lives and property across the country.
Lushaba has been holding the position of Chief Fire Officer for many years now and the king is aware of that. However, he announced him because he stated that he had never announced a person in this capacity ever since the ENFRES was established in 1975.
In what signals a significant restructuring within ENFRES, Dennis Z. Khumalo was appointed Deputy Chief Fire Officer, a position that will see him working closely with Lushaba to enhance the department’s operational efficiency and service delivery.
The King highlighted that efforts were ongoing to ensure gender balance in leadership roles within ENFRES. Although Khumalo is currently the only appointee to the deputy position, His Majesty revealed that several women were undergoing specialised training to qualify for such senior posts in future.
Other key promotions announced included the appointment of Albert N. Fakudze and Samson S. Maseko as Substantive Divisional Officers. In addition, Aaron Tsabedze, Robinson Manana, and Themba Seyama were promoted from Senior Station Officer to Divisional Officer, marking an important recognition of their dedication and service.
In his remarks, His Majesty underscored the importance of expanding and modernising ENFRES to meet the growing demands of a developing nation. He noted that Eswatini currently has around 600 firefighters, a number that must increase to effectively cover all regions of the country and ensure timely emergency responses.
“Our population is growing, and our firefighters must be able to reach those in need within a reasonable time, wherever they are in Eswatini,” said the King. “We need to bring in more men and women who are passionate about serving and saving lives.”
The King revealed that ongoing research was being conducted to guide the future direction of ENFRES, focusing on improving operational capacity, infrastructure, and training. He assured the nation that the government remained committed to supporting the department as it evolves to meet international standards.
“What we are witnessing today is only the beginning,” His Majesty declared. “More changes are coming as we continue to strengthen ENFRES. The nation stands firmly behind our firefighters in their noble mission to protect and serve.”
The event concluded with a renewed sense of pride and purpose among the firefighters, who expressed their gratitude for the recognition and the leadership’s commitment to their welfare.
With his new mandate, Chief Fire Officer Lushaba now faces the challenge of maintaining morale and ensuring that every firefighter — from recruits to senior officers — remains inspired and ready to serve the Kingdom with excellence.
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