Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) recruitment team, led by Brigadier General Thabo Luhlanga, has received widespread praise for demonstrating compassion and humility during the ongoing national recruitment exercise held across the country’s constituencies (Tinkhundla).
Many Emaswati following the process on social media have commended the soldiers for showing empathy and understanding toward aspiring recruits — a side of the army the public rarely gets to see.
Traditionally, the UEDF has been viewed as strict and uncompromising, but the latest recruitment drive appears to be reshaping that perception, revealing soldiers who are not only disciplined but also deeply human.
A Light Moment in Manzini North
On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, during the recruitment exercise at Manzini North Inkhundla, one aspiring soldier presented an outdated national ID card issued during his youth.
Initially, the soldiers questioned its authenticity, suspecting that the man in the photograph might not be the same person. However, after careful verification, Brigadier General Luhlanga confirmed that the ID was genuine.
In a lighter moment, he joked with the candidate, asking what had happened to him since he “looked more handsome” in his younger ID photo — drawing laughter from both soldiers and recruits.
Balancing Compassion and Discipline
The Recruitment Team’s approach has been consistently praised in several Tinkhundla where the exercise has already taken place.
In some cases, candidates who were only days away from turning 36 — the maximum eligible age — were allowed to participate. Others who arrived slightly late were also permitted to try their luck. In Ngwemphisi, the UEDF allowed a person with disability to participate in the recruitment exercise.
Despite showing compassion, Brigadier General Luhlanga’s team has maintained strict vigilance to prevent fraud and ensure fairness in the process.
In Manzini North, for instance, around 100 candidates were disqualified for exceeding the age limit or being suspected of not belonging to the constituency.
Similarly, in Nkhomiyahlaba Inkhundla, three women who were initially identified as successful candidates were later set aside after being suspected of cheating. However, in the spirit of fairness, they have been given another opportunity to compete again on Wednesday so that one legitimate winner can be selected.
Recruitment Team Composition
The UEDF Recruitment Team was formally introduced by UEDF Commander Lieutenant General Moses Mashikilisane Hulumende Fakudze during a press conference held at the UEDF Headquarters in Nokwane on September 15, 2025.
The committee comprises:
Brigadier General Thabo Luhlanga – Second-in-Command of UEDF Personnel
Brigadier General Sotsha Dlamini – Oversees Recruit Training at Mbuluzi
Brigadier General Elijah Shabangu – UEDF Chief of Training
Lieutenant Colonel Dumile Dlamini
Lieutenant Colonel Mthembeni Matsenjwa – UEDF Intelligence Department
Defence Sergeant Major Fana Dlamini – Advisor to the UEDF Commander on Discipline and Training
The team’s humane approach has drawn positive attention nationwide, with many citizens commending the UEDF for not only upholding discipline but also treating aspiring soldiers with respect and dignity.
“This year’s recruitment has shown that the army is not just about rules and drills, but also about understanding and humanity,” one observer commented on social media.
As the recruitment drive continues across Tinkhundla, the UEDF’s example of balanced discipline and compassion appears to be strengthening the bond between the nation’s armed forces and its people.
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