…Government, private sector, traditional leadership urged to work as partners
BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBANGWENI — The Shiselweni Business Gala Dinner served as a reminder of His Majesty King Mswati III’s vision for the economic transformation of Eswatini, with Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini saying the King’s presence demonstrated that the growth of the region mattered at the highest level of the nation.
The Prime Minister made the remarks during the Shiselweni Business Gala Dinner held in honour of His Majesty at the Mbangweni Royal Residence on September 17, 2026.
Welcoming the King to Nhlangano, the Prime Minister said His Majesty’s presence at the business gathering sent a strong message to investors, farmers and young entrepreneurs about the importance of developing Shiselweni.
“Your Majesty, your presence here tonight speaks volumes. It tells every investor, every farmer, and every young entrepreneur in this room that the growth of this region matters at the very highest level of our nation,” said the Prime Minister.
He said the King’s presence was also a reminder that all parts of the country were connected to the national vision for economic transformation.
“It is a reminder that no part of our Kingdom stands apart from the vision Your Majesty holds for the economic transformation of Eswatini,” Dlamini said.
The Prime Minister said Shiselweni was experiencing what he described as “real momentum”, with visible signs of investment in various sectors of the regional economy.
“We gather this evening at a moment of real momentum for Shiselweni,” he said.
He pointed to investments in industry, agriculture, water and infrastructure as signs of the Kingdom’s continued efforts to invest in its people.
“Across this region, we are seeing the visible signs of a Kingdom investing in its people — in industry, agriculture, water and infrastructure alike,” Dlamini said.
According to the Prime Minister, the developments taking place in Shiselweni were the result of cooperation between Government, the private sector, traditional leadership and communities.
He said the development approach was based on partnerships rather than separate efforts by different stakeholders.
“None of this is accidental. It is the fruit of a simple choice — that Government, the private sector, our traditional leadership, and the people of this region would work as partners, not as strangers to one another’s efforts,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the gathering and investments being showcased at the dinner demonstrated that the King’s vision of development was taking root in Shiselweni.
He said His Majesty had consistently emphasised that development should involve communities and should be built collectively across the country.
“Your Majesty, you have long reminded us that development is not something that happens to our people, but something we build together, region by region, partnership by partnership,” Dlamini said.
He added that the business dinner itself, together with the investments presented during the event, provided evidence of that approach being implemented in the region.
“Tonight’s gathering, and the investments we will hear about this evening, are testament to that vision taking root here in Shiselweni,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s remarks came during a business gathering that brought together Government leaders, traditional authorities, members of the diplomatic corps, businesspeople and other stakeholders.
The event provided a platform for highlighting investment and economic development opportunities in Shiselweni, while also bringing together different sectors around the region’s development agenda.
The Prime Minister described it as an honour to join the gathering and welcomed the King to Nhlangano.
He said the King’s attendance carried significance for the business community and those involved in economic development.
The remarks also highlighted the role of collaboration in translating national development ambitions into projects and opportunities at regional level.
With industry, agriculture, water and infrastructure identified among the areas showing visible investment, the Prime Minister’s message placed partnerships between Government, business, traditional leadership and communities at the centre of Shiselweni’s economic development.
He subsequently invited His Majesty to address the gathering, concluding his remarks with: “Your Majesty, the floor is yours.”
“Bayethe, Wena Waphakathi. Nkhosi. Ndlovukazi. Mhlekazi.”
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