BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI— The Southern Africa Inter-Municipal Sports Association (SAIMSA) Games have proven to be more than a sporting platform, bringing municipalities together for 20 years while creating opportunities for regional cooperation, knowledge-sharing and economic activity.
The milestone was marked on Sunday, September 20, 2026, when Eswatini officially opened the 2026 SAIMSA Games at the Mavuso Sports and Exhibition Centre, with His Right Honourable Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini represented by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Honourable Apollo Maphalala, who delivered the Prime Minister’s keynote address.
The opening brought together mayors, councillors, municipal chief executives, managers, athletes and officials from across Southern Africa.
In his address, Dlamini said the Games had created a valuable platform through which municipalities could learn from one another and strengthen cooperation beyond the sporting field.
“Do not return home having only won or lost a sporting match, but return home having learnt something from another municipality,” Dlamini said.
He said municipalities could use the gathering to exchange practical approaches to waste management, community engagement, infrastructure maintenance, municipal digitisation, urban planning and local economic development.
The 2026 edition marks 20 years of regional cooperation and unity through sport, while Eswatini is hosting the Games for the fourth time.
Dlamini said the hosting coincided with a significant year for the Kingdom as the country celebrates the Ruby Jubilee of His Majesty King Mswati III, marking 40 years on the throne, as well as His Majesty’s 58th birthday.
“I am particularly pleased that Eswatini has the honour of hosting the games at such a significant year, when we are celebrating the Ruby Jubilee of His Majesty King Mswati III,” he said.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the SAIMSA International Executive Committee for entrusting Eswatini, through the Eswatini Inter-Municipal Games Association (ESIGA), with hosting the 2026 edition.
He said the fourth hosting opportunity reflected the confidence built through the commitment and work of Eswatini’s municipalities over the years.
Dlamini also highlighted the economic value of the Games, saying the influx of regional visitors would create opportunities for businesses across the country.
“Hosting the SAIMSA Games presents significant socio-economic, political and strategic opportunities for the Kingdom of Eswatini,” he said.
He said hotels, restaurants, transport operators, retailers, tourism establishments and other businesses stood to benefit from the increased activity generated by the Games.
The programme also includes cultural exchanges and excursions to tourism attractions, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience Eswatini beyond the sporting venues.
Dlamini encouraged visitors to meet the people of Eswatini, experience the country’s culture, visit tourism sites, taste local food and learn about its traditions.
He further called for SAIMSA to expand across the SADC region, with more countries, municipalities and municipal employees participating in future editions.
“Let SAIMSA become an even stronger platform for regional integration, friendship and municipal cooperation,” he said.
The 2026 Games feature 12 sporting codes, bringing municipal employees together in competition and recreation.
Dlamini welcomed the continued growth in sporting disciplines and called for more codes to be introduced so that more municipal employees could participate.
He said the Games were also important in promoting employee health and wellness, which he linked directly to effective local government service delivery.
“Employee health and wellness is fundamental to the success of both national and local government,” he said.
“A healthy workforce is, therefore, not a luxury. It is an investment in better service delivery.”
Dlamini called on Emaswati to visit the sporting venues, support local athletes and welcome visitors from across Southern Africa.
He also urged entrepreneurs, businesses and service providers to take advantage of the opportunities created by the Games and ensure that the economic benefits reach local businesses and communities.
To the athletes, he emphasised the values of discipline, teamwork, resilience, respect and fair play.
“Let us compete fiercely, but fairly. Let us celebrate our victories with humility and accept defeat with grace,” he said.
Dlamini also expressed condolences to the Government and people of Lesotho following the deaths of eight Butha-Buthe players in an accident while travelling to work.
He commended SAIMSA for showing solidarity with the affected team by parading with its jersey and handing a new soccer jersey to the remaining team member.
As the 2026 Games get underway, municipalities from across Southern Africa are competing in sport while using the gathering to strengthen relationships, share municipal experiences, promote employee wellness and create opportunities for local businesses.
Dlamini declared the 2026 SAIMSA Games officially open on behalf of His Majesty’s Government and the people of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
(Courtesy Pic)
