BY PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
KWALUSENI – The Office of the Accountant General has assured its full backing to students enrolled in Eswatini’s newly launched Postgraduate Diploma in Public Sector Accounting, urging them to study hard and seek support whenever needed.
Deputy Accountant General Fikile Dlamini, speaking on behalf of Accountant General Nomsa Simelane at the official launch on Friday, said the programme marked “a turning point” in building a stronger culture of financial accountability across government.
She applauded Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg’s leadership, describing his role in championing reforms as “unwavering and visionary,” and thanked UNESWA for its collaboration in bridging the gap between academic training and the practical demands of public finance.
“The Office of the Accountant General is fully committed to the success of this programme,” Dlamini said.
“To the students, do not be afraid to ask for support. We want you to pass, we want you to excel, and we want you to become the guardians of Eswatini’s public finances.”
She stressed that the new programme directly addressed long-standing challenges faced by graduates entering the public service.
“For years, we have seen brilliant professionals who, despite their qualifications, needed extensive retraining to fit the public sector framework. This course is the practical solution to that challenge,” she said.
Dlamini also described the 120 registered students as pioneers of a new culture of accountability. “You are not just students, you are the future of public finance in this country,” she said.
UNESWA Vice Chancellor Professor Justice Thwala had earlier confirmed that the programme had already attracted strong interest despite institutional challenges, noting that it would “greatly enhance accountability and strengthen financial reporting across government.”
The postgraduate diploma, developed by UNESWA in collaboration with the Accountant General’s Office, aims to professionalise the public sector accountancy cadre by aligning training to the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
