By Phesheya Ian Kunene
MATSAPHA – The tone was clear and the message even clearer as Eswatini’s Attorney General, Sifiso ‘Mashampu’ Khumalo, delivered one of the day’s most anticipated presentations at the ongoing Eswatini Local Government Conference.
With confidence and constitutional clarity, the AG used his platform to break down the true intention of Chapter XIII of the Kingdom’s Constitution, and it had nothing to do with taking power away from anyone.
Addressing a packed Esangweni Hall at Esibayeni Lodge, the Learned Attorney General stated that Chapter XIII was never about reducing the influence of traditional leadership or regional authorities.
Instead, he described the chapter as a bold legal framework meant to enhance service delivery, promote efficiency, and create a more inclusive governance structure that puts people first.
“Chapter XIII is not here to remove power from anyone,” said Khumalo. “It is about making sure services reach the people faster, better, and fairly. It’s about creating one strong, united system that works for every Liswati, regardless of where they live.”
Khumalo emphasized that the Constitution speaks clearly on decentralisation and the devolution of power to the grassroots.
His presentation drew strong attention to the gap between rural and urban communities, pointing out that under the current arrangement, urban areas tend to benefit more due to clearer structures established by older legislation like the Urban Government Act of 1969. Rural areas, he noted, are too often left behind due to a lack of formalised and harmonised systems, something Chapter XIII is designed to fix.
In his usual candid yet thoughtful manner, the AG highlighted that rural communities deserve the same level of structured service delivery as urban centres, and the Constitution provides the mandate to make that possible.
He assured delegates that chiefs and traditional leaders remain key stakeholders in the implementation of local government reforms, adding that the new system being proposed will not erase tradition but rather strengthen it within a modern governance model.
He also reminded participants that this push for reform did not arise from theory, but from the voices of the people themselves, captured during the 2023 Sibaya, when His Majesty King Mswati III issued a national call for the government to act with Nkwee, urgency, in delivering the promises of Chapter XIII.
Khumalo said that government has since responded, and the Local Government Bill is now in development to breathe life into the constitutional vision, with the ultimate goal of building a system that works for everyone.
The AG’s presentation was well-received by delegates, many of whom applauded the government’s transparency and commitment to reform.
As the conference continues through to Friday, Khumalo’s message remains one of unity, clarity, and people-first governance.
“Chapter XIII is about development, dignity, and delivering on the promise of the Constitution,” he said in conclusion. “We’re not changing who we are. We’re simply building a stronger Eswatini, one that works for every community, rural or urban.”
With strong legal grounding and a people-centred approach, Attorney General Sifiso Khumalo reminded the nation that real transformation begins with understanding, inclusion, and the will to serve.
