BY NONTSETSELELO DLAMINI (INTERN)
NAMIBIA– Team Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) delivered a strong and memorable performance at the Southern Africa Inter Revenue Administration Games (SAIRAG) 2026, held in Swakopmund, Namibia, bringing home four medals and demonstrating both individual skill and teamwork. The Kingdom’s contingent claimed gold in pool, silver in table tennis, and bronze in netball and chess, standing out against stiff competition from neighbouring countries.
The annual regional sporting event, which started in 2012, brings together revenue authorities from across Southern Africa to compete in multiple disciplines while promoting regional unity and collaboration. The 2026 games welcomed teams from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, providing a platform for officials to build camaraderie, exchange ideas, and test their sporting abilities in events ranging from pool and chess to table tennis and netball.
Eswatini’s participation in SAIRAG reflects a commitment to excellence and regional engagement, with officials training rigorously to compete at a high level. The team’s success in Namibia follows a strong showing at the 2025 SAIRAG in Harare, Zimbabwe, where Eswatini secured podium finishes in darts and table tennis, further cementing the country’s reputation as a competitive force in regional revenue administration sports.
The participation of Eswatini’s tax professionals goes beyond medals, promoting informal exchanges, strengthening inter-agency relationships, and encouraging a culture of healthy competition among public servants. Off the field, ERS continues to build national pride through strong performance and effective service delivery. In the 2024/25 financial year, the agency exceeded its targets, demonstrating year-on-year growth and improvements in voluntary compliance, even amid moderate domestic economic growth.
The medals won in Swakopmund are celebrated as part of a wider story of excellence among Eswatini public servants, highlighting unity, resilience, and the Kingdom’s growing presence in regional forums. Preparations for future SAIRAG events are already underway, with expectations high that Eswatini’s strong showing in 2026 will inspire broader participation and further success in the years to come.
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(Courtesy Pic)
