BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
LUDZIDZINI – His Majesty King Mswati III has emphasised that unity, communication and collective action among Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states will be critical if the regional bloc is to achieve its development, peace and security goals.
The King made the remarks while updating the media at Ludzidzini Royal Residence on his recent regional and international engagements, including the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, which was held in Durban, South Africa, on August 17, 2026.
His Majesty said the summit went very well, noting that leaders and representatives from across the SADC region attended in large numbers, demonstrating the importance member states attach to the regional organisation and its programmes.
He said countries whose leaders could not attend for various reasons, including elections, ensured that they were represented, allowing the summit to proceed with broad participation from the region.
The summit was attended by Heads of State and Government or representatives from the bloc’s member states, with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa elected Chairperson of SADC.
His Majesty said South Africa was given the honour of taking over the SADC chairship, while Eswatini welcomed the responsibility entrusted to it through his election as Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
The Organ is a key SADC structure responsible for promoting and safeguarding peace, security, stability and democratic governance in the region. Before the 46th summit, Eswatini had served as the Incoming Chair, alongside Malawi as Chair and Tanzania as the Outgoing Chair. The summit formally elected King Mswati III to lead the Organ.
The King said Eswatini appreciated the confidence placed in it by the regional bloc and had congratulated the outgoing leadership of the Organ for work well done.
He said the responsibility was significant and required wisdom, including wisdom from heaven, as the country takes up the task of helping guide the region on matters of politics, peace and security.
His Majesty said Eswatini’s goal was to perform its duties in such a manner that when the country eventually hands over the chairship, it would be able to say it had also done a job well done.
“We welcomed the position,” the King said, stressing that the responsibility came with a commitment to serve the region and work with fellow member states in addressing shared challenges.
His Majesty said the growth of SADC had brought with it a wide range of programmes and institutions, making cooperation among member states even more important.
He said regional development could not be achieved in isolation, particularly because major infrastructure programmes required countries to plan and work together.
The King said development depended heavily on sound infrastructure and a common regional vision, including a master plan that would enable SADC countries to pursue projects collectively and in unity.
He pointed to trade, railway projects, road networks and rail transport as examples of areas where cooperation between countries was essential.
According to SADC, the theme of the 46th summit was “Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Industrialisation through Infrastructure Development, Agricultural and Critical Minerals Transformation in Pursuit of a Just World,” reflecting the region’s emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture and industrial transformation as key drivers of regional development. The summit is the bloc’s supreme policy-making forum and sets strategic priorities for regional cooperation, integration and development.
His Majesty said there were many issues that required the collective attention of SADC leaders, including economic development and the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, which had affected several countries in the region.
He said leaders deliberated on possible solutions and on measures that could help the region avoid similar challenges in future.
However, the King stressed that sustainable development could only flourish in an environment of peace and security.
“For development to thrive, there must be peace,” His Majesty said, adding that regional leaders had also deliberated extensively on peace and security matters affecting SADC countries.
The importance of unity and collective action was also reflected in deliberations of the SADC Organ Troika, which met in Durban a day before the main summit and reaffirmed the region’s commitment to peace, security, democratic governance and sustainable development. The Organ Troika stressed regional solidarity, dialogue and collective action as essential in addressing political and security challenges.
His Majesty said the summit adopted a declaration and that one of the most important lessons from the gathering was the need for continuous communication between member states.
He said countries needed to remain united and communicate effectively so they could move together and implement programmes aimed at improving the lives of people across Southern Africa.
The King said his regional journey did not end in Durban, as he and his delegation proceeded to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for an official visit.
He said Malaysia had maintained relations with Eswatini over the years and that it had been some time since he last visited the country.
His Majesty said the delegation received a warm welcome and was impressed by the level of development in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the King said Eswatini’s new responsibility in the SADC Organ Troika would also involve working with regional structures to address political developments, including the situation in Madagascar.
He said SADC had established structures and mechanisms for dealing with challenges arising within member states and that the issue in Madagascar was under consideration through those structures.
The SADC Organ has previously led regional efforts on Madagascar, including extraordinary meetings that called for inclusive dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the country’s political challenges. SADC has repeatedly emphasised mediation, dialogue, peace, stability and democratic governance in its approach to the situation.
His Majesty said delegations involved in the Madagascar matter were expected to meet and continue deliberations, while the SADC Organ Troika would work towards finding a lasting and amicable solution.
He expressed hope that progress would be made soon.
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