BY PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
MANZINI – The Kingdom of Eswatini will be the stage for one of the world’s most prestigious governance gatherings when it hosts the 2025 International City/County Managers Association (ICMA) Global Exchange Programme from 3–7 September.
Speaking at the media launch held at the Manzini Council Chambers yesterday, Minister of Housing and Urban Development Apollo Maphalala described the programme as a “golden opportunity” for the Kingdom to showcase its strides in urban administration and to learn from global peers.
“It is our honour to officially present this programme to the nation,” Maphalala said.
“Hosting a delegation of over 30 global professionals for a week is both a privilege and a vote of confidence in our capacity as a nation. This exchange is not just an event but a platform to sharpen service delivery and inspire new ideas in administration.”
The ICMA Global Exchange will draw together city and county managers from across the globe to benchmark practices and share solutions to urban governance challenges.
The Minister commended the Eswatini Local Authorities Managers Association (ELAMA) for securing the hosting rights, saying their success reflected the calibre of leadership and innovation in the country’s municipalities.
He also thanked government ministries, development partners and the private sector for supporting the initiative, stressing that their contributions embodied the spirit of national partnership.
“I call upon all residents, municipal professionals and the nation at large to warmly welcome the ICMA delegation. Let us take full advantage of this opportunity to learn, network and harness their expertise,” he added.
His Worship, Manzini Mayor Wesley Dlamini, echoed the Minister’s sentiments, describing the hosting of ICMA as “a historic moment in the history of urban local government administration.”
“The country’s hosting of the 2025 ICMA Global Exchange Programme is a great opportunity for us as urban local governments to enhance our knowledge base and forge partnerships to transform the lives of urban communities,” the Mayor said.
He added that positive international relations continuously strengthened by His Majesty’s Government had created an enabling environment for urban authorities to tap into global knowledge.
“We are faced with various urban challenges that require newer and more innovative solutions,” he said.
“We are confident that the engagements during this programme will offer fresh perspectives and shape the way we service our citizens.”
The launch was attended by high-level dignitaries including Lancaster City Manager Opal Mauldin-Jones from the United States, ELAMA President Dr. L.P. Dlamini and senior government officials.
With the countdown now on, anticipation is high that the ICMA 2025 Global Exchange will not only cement Eswatini’s standing on the global governance map but also leave lasting lessons for cities and towns across the country.
