BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE – The Government of Eswatini has taken a major step in strengthening birth and death registration systems, with the introduction of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aimed at improving accuracy, consistency and efficiency in documenting life events across the Kingdom.
The initiative was officially launched by Minister of Home Affairs, Her Royal Highness (HRH) Princess Lindiwe, during the commemoration of the 8th Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Day on 22 August 2025 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Mbabane.
The event was attended by Cabinet ministers, parliamentarians, development partners and representatives of international organisations, highlighting the importance of CRVS in national development.
Closing the gaps in rural death registration
Princess Lindiwe explained that the SOPs will help address gaps in mortality data, particularly in rural regions such as Shiselweni, where many deaths have previously gone unrecorded.
“Our vision is clear: we will work tirelessly to ensure a future where every birth is registered, every life event is officially recorded, and every resident of Eswatini possesses a legal identity that empowers them,” she said.
The Minister stressed that timely and accurate birth and death data is vital for planning, equitable resource allocation and ensuring no citizen is left behind. The launch of the 2024 Annual Vital Statistics Report alongside the SOPs, she added, would provide deeper insights into demographic trends and national health outcomes.
Health sector support
Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula, represented by Zanele Simelane, noted that the Government has already made progress through the Verbal Autopsy (VA) programme, which helps determine the causes of deaths occurring outside health facilities.
“This initiative strengthens the quality of mortality information and ensures rural deaths are properly documented,” he said.
Theme highlights digital transformation
This year’s Africa CRVS Day was commemorated under the theme:
“Civil Registration as the Foundation for Digital Public Infrastructure and Digital Legal Identity Systems in Africa.”
Both ministers called for stronger collaboration between Government, civil society and the private sector in building a fully digital, inclusive CRVS system. Such a system, they said, would not only generate accurate statistics but also guarantee every citizen access to a secure legal identity.
UN commends Eswatini’s progress
Head of Office for UNFPA Eswatini, Margaret Thwala-Tembe, commended the country’s efforts, noting that robust CRVS systems are the bedrock of good governance and sustainable development.
“As the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals approaches, progress remains uneven. CRVS is essential for guiding resource allocation and ensuring no one is left behind,” she said.
Thwala-Tembe highlighted success stories such as the 12-month Verbal Autopsy pilot project, which has improved death registration, and the mopping exercise in Maphiveni, which identified vulnerable children, secured education support for girls, and even led to the establishment of a new school.
“These examples illustrate how accurate data drives life-changing interventions,” she said, adding that no single entity can build these systems alone.
The United Nations reaffirmed its readiness to support His Majesty’s Government in strengthening CRVS, ensuring reliable annual reporting of vital events, and preparing for the 2027 Population and Housing Census.
With these reforms, Eswatini is positioning itself as a leader in digital identity and data-driven development on the continent, ensuring that every life counts and every citizen is empowered through recognition.
