BY PHUMELELE GAMEDZE
MBABANE – The future of public service in Eswatini could soon be defined by stronger leadership, greater accountability and a culture of excellence as Government pushes ahead with plans to transform the Eswatini Institute of Management and Public Administration (EIMPA) into the Eswatini National School of Governance.
The renewed commitment was reaffirmed on Thursday when Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Mthunzi Shabangu, visited EIMPA as part of a familiarisation exercise aimed at strengthening collaboration with the institution and reinforcing its strategic role in developing a capable, ethical and professional public service.
The visit underscored Government’s recognition that investing in the continuous development of civil servants is critical to improving service delivery and achieving the country’s long term development aspirations. As the institution responsible for training public sector employees, EIMPA plays a central role in equipping government workers with the knowledge, leadership and technical skills needed to respond effectively to the evolving needs of emaSwati.
Addressing management and staff, Shabangu commended the Institute for remaining resilient and committed to its mandate despite leadership challenges experienced in recent years. He praised the dedication of staff members who have continued delivering training and capacity building programmes that strengthen the performance of public institutions across the country.
“A capable, ethical, innovative and professional public service is essential for national development. We look upon EIMPA as the country’s management development institution for public sector capacity development,” said Shabangu.
He encouraged the Institute to remain steadfast in empowering civil servants with the competencies required to improve efficiency, accountability and responsiveness throughout Government, noting that well-trained public officers are essential to delivering quality services to citizens.
A key highlight of the visit was the ongoing transformation of EIMPA into the Eswatini National School of Governance, an initiative expected to position the institution as a centre of excellence for leadership development, public administration and governance. The transition is designed to align Eswatini’s public service training with international best practices while preparing government employees to meet emerging national and global challenges.
Shabangu urged employees to embrace the transformation process, stressing that meaningful change goes beyond organisational restructuring.
“Transformation is not solely about structures and systems; it is also about fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, continuous learning and service to the nation. The ultimate objective remains clear: to improve service delivery,” he said.
He further encouraged staff to continue working collaboratively, sharing ideas and supporting one another as they contribute towards advancing Government’s Programme of Action and strengthening public confidence in state institutions.
As Eswatini continues to modernise its public sector, the transformation of EIMPA represents more than an institutional milestone. It is an investment in the people who deliver government services every day. By strengthening leadership, promoting lifelong learning and nurturing a culture of professionalism, the initiative is expected to contribute to a more efficient, responsive and citizen centred public service capable of driving sustainable national development.
#PublicService #EIMPA #GoodGovernance #Eswatini
