BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE– Eswatini has received a major vote of confidence from regional leaders after its preparations to host the 3rd Southern African Development Community Public Service Commissions Forum (SADC-PSCs Forum) Annual General Meeting were endorsed by the Forum’s Executive Committee, positioning the Kingdom at the forefront of efforts to strengthen ethical, accountable and high-performing public institutions across Southern Africa.
The endorsement follows high-level engagements held in Pretoria, South Africa, from July 20 to 22, where the Chairman of the Eswatini Civil Service Commission (CSC), Honourable Simangaliso Mamba, and Executive Secretary Nhlanhla Mnisi represented the Kingdom during strategic meetings between the SADC-PSCs Forum Executive Committee and the African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD).
The gathering was more than a routine regional meeting. It brought together senior public service leaders from across Southern Africa to discuss how governments can build stronger institutions capable of delivering better services to citizens while accelerating sustainable development throughout the region.
One of the key outcomes was the Executive Committee’s approval of Eswatini’s state of preparedness to host the upcoming 3rd SADC-PSCs Forum Annual General Meeting, scheduled for August 28–30, 2026. During the meeting, Eswatini presented its hosting plans, logistics, programme and overall readiness, earning praise from the regional leadership. The Executive Committee also fine-tuned the meeting agenda and theme, expressing confidence that the Kingdom is well prepared to stage a successful continental event.
Honourable Mamba assured fellow commissioners that Eswatini remains fully committed to delivering an impactful and memorable Annual General Meeting that will advance regional cooperation and improve public service excellence.
The Pretoria engagements also strengthened cooperation between the SADC-PSCs Forum and AUDA-NEPAD, an African Union agency responsible for coordinating regional development programmes and promoting continental integration through Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Discussions focused particularly on SDG 16, which promotes peaceful societies, access to justice, effective institutions, accountability and good governance—principles regarded as essential for sustainable economic growth and improved public service delivery across Africa.
Regional leaders agreed that effective governance begins with capable, ethical and professional public servants who place citizens at the centre of government service delivery.
The strategic discussions were chaired by Professor Somadoda Fikeni, Interim Chairperson of the SADC-PSCs Forum and Chairperson of the South African Public Service Commission. AUDA-NEPAD was represented by Dr Lesthwalo, while the United Nations family was represented by Honourable Nelson Muffuh, who pledged continued support for the Forum’s efforts to strengthen governance systems throughout Southern Africa.
Muffuh emphasised the importance of partnerships that help governments develop capable institutions built on integrity, accountability and innovation, noting that such cooperation ultimately improves the quality of life for citizens across the region.
Eswatini joined Executive Committee members representing Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Tanzania and South Africa, highlighting the Kingdom’s growing role in shaping regional public administration reforms.
Another significant development was a message of support delivered by former African Union Commission Chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who reminded public service leaders that Africa’s development ambitions depend largely on ethical leadership within government institutions.
She stressed that capable, accountable and compassionate public servants remain the foundation upon which sustainable development, economic growth and improved public services are built.
The meeting also discussed the long-term institutionalisation of the SADC Public Service Commissions Forum within the official SADC governance framework. Mr Maswanganye, the SADC National Contact Point, committed to advocating for the Forum’s formal recognition within the SADC institutional architecture by placing the matter before the forthcoming SADC Summit.
For Eswatini, successfully hosting the Annual General Meeting would not only showcase the country’s organisational capacity but also reinforce its growing influence in regional governance, institutional development and public sector transformation.
The event is expected to attract senior government officials, commissioners, governance experts and development partners from across Southern Africa, providing Eswatini with an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to excellence in public administration while strengthening regional partnerships that contribute to better governance and improved service delivery for millions of citizens.
(Courtesy Pic)
