– SACU summit faces growing pressure to deliver
– Energy and fuel challenges threaten regional growth
BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
LOZITHA – With unemployment rising, energy shortages affecting businesses, and economic pressures continuing to burden households across Southern Africa, His Majesty King Mswati III has called on regional leaders to ensure that next week’s Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Summit delivers practical solutions that improve people’s lives.
The King made the call on Thursday at Lozitha Palace while receiving Letters of Credence from South Africa’s High Commissioner-designate to Eswatini, Her Excellency Ms. Mmaikeletsi Dube.
His Majesty said the upcoming 9th SACU Summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled to take place in Cape Town, South Africa, comes at a critical time when countries across the region are grappling with economic and social challenges that require collective action.
Welcoming the diplomat to the Kingdom, the King expressed gratitude to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for appointing Dube as his country’s representative to Eswatini and highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation between neighbouring states.
However, the King’s message quickly turned to the challenges confronting the region and the urgent need for leaders to move beyond discussions and deliver meaningful outcomes.
“We are looking forward to the summit,” said His Majesty. “Like other summits we have had before, we hope it will come up with resolutions that will set a clear path towards addressing the challenges we face.”
REGION FACES COMMON CHALLENGES
The King’s remarks come at a time when many Southern African countries are battling high unemployment levels, rising living costs, energy insecurity, health concerns and increasing social pressures.
For countries such as Eswatini, South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia, which form part of SACU, economic growth and job creation remain among the most pressing priorities.
His Majesty identified unemployment as one of the biggest threats facing the region, warning that governments must work together to create opportunities for young people and strengthen economic resilience.
He also highlighted energy shortages and fuel-related challenges, issues that have increasingly affected households, industries and businesses across Southern Africa in recent years.
The King stressed that no country could effectively address these issues in isolation and called for stronger regional collaboration.
“Challenges should serve as a lesson to all of us, but the most important thing is to find solutions,” he said.
SACU’S ROLE IN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Established more than a century ago, SACU remains Africa’s oldest customs union and plays a crucial role in promoting trade, economic cooperation and regional integration among its member states.
Beyond facilitating trade, the organisation provides a platform for member countries to coordinate policies, strengthen economic partnerships and collectively tackle regional challenges.
The King’s remarks are expected to resonate strongly ahead of the summit as governments seek ways to stimulate economic growth, attract investment and create employment opportunities in an increasingly competitive global economy.
ESWATINI, SOUTH AFRICA RELATIONS GROWING STRONGER
His Majesty also expressed optimism about the future of relations between Eswatini and South Africa, describing the two nations as longstanding partners united by shared regional and international commitments.
Both countries are members of SACU, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union and several other international bodies.
The King said there was significant potential to expand trade and investment between the two countries and encouraged businesses to explore opportunities that could benefit both economies.
He further highlighted the importance of cultural exchanges and stronger people-to-people relations, saying there was always room to deepen existing partnerships.
SOUTH AFRICA COMMITS TO STRONGER COOPERATION
For her part, High Commissioner Dube described it as a great honour and privilege to present her credentials to His Majesty and conveyed warm greetings from President Ramaphosa and the people of South Africa.
She reaffirmed the strong diplomatic ties between the two neighbouring countries, saying the relationship was built on a shared history, cultural bonds and mutual respect.
Dube noted that South Africa highly values cooperation with Eswatini in areas such as trade, investment, border management, security, education and regional integration.
She pledged to strengthen these areas of collaboration while exploring new opportunities that could contribute to sustainable economic growth and development.
“As neighbouring countries and partners within SADC, we share a common responsibility to promote peace, stability, prosperity and regional integration,” she said.
The High Commissioner further committed herself to advancing the already strong bilateral relationship during her tenure for the benefit of both nations.
His Majesty assured Dube of Eswatini’s full support as she assumes her diplomatic responsibilities and requested that she convey his best wishes to President Ramaphosa.
