BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
LOBAMBA – Eswatini parliamentarians have strengthened the country’s influence on the regional and international stage by securing influential leadership and governance positions in major parliamentary institutions.
This was disclosed by the Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini when presenting the First Quarter Performance Report at the House of Assembly for its debate. Presenting the report, Prime Minister said the Private and Cabinet Office’s First Quarter Performance Report provides an overview of activities undertaken between April and June 2026 by the Office, the National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS (NERCHA) and the Country Coordinating Mechanism for the Global Fund (CCM).
The PM said Members of Parliament obtained key roles within the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the African Parliamentarians’ Network on Development Evaluation (APNODE), further elevating the Kingdom’s standing in the global parliamentary community.
Worth noting is that several Eswatini parliamentarians hold prominent leadership roles within international legislative bodies. In the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the delegation is led by Senator Tony Sibandze, alongside Senator Stuckie Motsa, Sigwe MP David Ngcamphalala, Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini, and Mtsambama MP Sibongile Mamba. Within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region, Honorable Senator Linda Nxumalo serves as the Vice Treasurer, while Speaker Jabulani Mabuza and Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini guide local operations as Joint Branch Presidents.
According to the PM, Parliament remained focused on implementing its 2022–2026 Strategic Plan during the April to June 2026 period, with priority placed on strengthening legislative effectiveness, oversight, accountability and citizen participation. The report notes that participation in regional and international parliamentary platforms enabled Eswatini legislators to increase the country’s visibility while contributing to governance and policy discussions beyond its borders.
The PM indicated that Parliament strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations with sister legislatures through engagements with organisations such as the CPA, IPU, SADC Parliamentary Forum and PAP. These partnerships were aimed at enhancing cooperation, sharing best practices and reinforcing Parliament’s institutional capacity.
Domestically, Parliament continued efforts to improve public access to its work through the optimal use of the newly established Parliamentary Studio. The report says the facility enhanced institutional communication and made parliamentary proceedings more accessible to citizens, improving transparency and public awareness of legislative business.
Institutional restructuring also remained a priority during the quarter as Parliament pursued measures to improve organisational efficiency and service delivery.
According to the PM the successful implementation of the “Taking Parliament to the People” programme at Sithobelweni Inkhundla was another milestone achieved during the reporting period. He stated that the initiative brought parliamentary activities closer to communities, providing citizens with opportunities to engage directly with lawmakers and participate in the legislative process.
The PM said, the programme demonstrates Parliament’s commitment to translating His Majesty King Mswati III’s vision of inclusive, people-centred development into practical action by strengthening public participation in governance.
The Prime Minister also congratulated His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty the Indlovukazi and the nation on the successful commemoration of the 40/58 National Double Celebrations held during the first month of the quarter under review.
He said the celebrations reflected on His Majesty’s four decades of leadership while marking Eswatini’s 58 years of independence, peace, stability, resilience and socio-economic development.
The report further identifies the official opening of the Ezulwini Palazzo International Convention Centre by His Majesty as one of the defining highlights of the quarter. It says the world-class facility has strengthened Eswatini’s position as a destination for international conferences, summits and diplomatic engagements, evidenced by the successful hosting of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) African Group Parliamentary Meeting and the First Africa-European Union Parliamentary Assembly in May.
The Prime Minister said the achievements recorded during the first quarter demonstrate Government’s commitment to strengthening governance, promoting accountability, enhancing public service delivery and safeguarding the wellbeing of everyone living in the Kingdom.
He acknowledged that challenges remain but said the performance achieved during the quarter reflects the resilience of national institutions and Government’s determination to implement His Majesty’s vision under the Nkwe Programme of Action before submitting the detailed reports for Parliament’s consideration.
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