BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE – The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) has hailed its partnership with Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC) as a major step towards bringing government services closer to emaSwati, with 34 post office branches now serving as convenient payment points across the country.
ERS Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Dr Thobile Dlamini said the initiative, which was launched just over a year ago, had improved accessibility, convenience and inclusivity by enabling members of the public to access government payment services closer to their homes and workplaces.
Dlamini was speaking during the commemoration of World Post Day 2026 at Happy Valley Hotel on October 9, where she reflected on the achievements of the partnership under the theme, “One Postal Network, Infinite Possibilities”.
She said the initiative demonstrated how government institutions could use existing national infrastructure to improve public service delivery, reduce unnecessary travel costs and ensure that citizens in remote areas were not left behind.
“Every citizen, regardless of where they live, should have convenient access to government services, and it should not really be costly to them. They should be able to reach it within their own areas,” she said.
The CFO explained that the partnership was founded on the complementary strengths of the two institutions, with ERS bringing its mandate and expertise in administering and collecting government revenue, while EPTC contributed its extensive postal network and established presence in communities throughout Eswatini.
Through its 34 strategically located post office branches, EPTC created an opportunity for government services to become more accessible to citizens, including those living far from major urban centres.
According to Dlamini, the initiative has shown that the post office can serve a much broader purpose than the traditional delivery of letters and parcels.
She said the postal network was increasingly becoming a platform for financial transactions, public service delivery, citizen engagement and economic inclusion.
“This achievement represents far more than a payment collection arrangement. It is a practical example of how existing national infrastructure can be leveraged to improve service delivery and create value for citizens,” she said.
Dlamini noted that the partnership was particularly significant at a time when governments worldwide were embracing digital technologies to improve the efficiency and convenience of public services.
She, however, emphasised that physical service points remained essential, even as technology continued to transform how governments interacted with citizens.
While digital platforms offered new opportunities, she said, the postal network provided an important link between government services and the people who needed them, helping ensure that no citizen was excluded.
The ERS executive said the success of the initiative over the past year had demonstrated the value of collaboration between public institutions in pursuing a common national objective.
She added that the arrangement had enabled emaSwati to transact closer to home, reducing the need for long-distance journeys and the associated expenses.
Dlamini also commended the teams from ERS, EPTC, the Government Treasury Department and participating government institutions for their contribution towards establishing and sustaining the initiative.
She singled out officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Treasury Department for their support and guidance in developing a framework that enables government revenue to be collected securely, efficiently and transparently through the postal network.
“Whilst institutions may sign agreements, it is people who turn those agreements into successful outcomes. So it’s important to get the buy-in of everybody within those institutions,” she said.
Dlamini acknowledged that establishing the partnership had not been an easy process, praising the professionalism, dedication and commitment of the officials who worked behind the scenes to ensure its successful implementation.
She said the participating institutions were continuing to work together to improve the service and ensure that transactions were handled seamlessly.
Despite celebrating the achievements recorded during the first year, the CFO said more work remained to be done, adding that the existing partnership provided a strong foundation for expanding the range of government services available through post offices.
She challenged the institutions to build on the progress made by exploring further opportunities to use the postal network to improve the experiences of citizens and maximise the value of public infrastructure.
“The journey does not end here. This is just the beginning,” she said.
Dlamini said the partnership illustrated how government institutions could strengthen public service delivery by pooling their resources, expertise and infrastructure.
She expressed confidence that continued cooperation would create greater convenience for citizens while supporting financial inclusion and more accessible government services.
The CFO also congratulated EPTC on its role in connecting communities and facilitating commerce, describing the postal network as one of the country’s most trusted and accessible public service platforms.
Sharing her personal experience with the institution, Dlamini recalled opening a post office box when she returned to Eswatini, explaining that it represented a connection to her identity and the country.
She also recalled using EPTC for her first Wi-Fi connection in Eswatini approximately 15 years ago, which she said had performed well.
As someone who regularly purchases goods online, she said she continued to rely on Eswatini Post to receive parcels through her post office box.
Her experience, she suggested, reflected the enduring relevance of postal services, even as the institution expanded into new areas of service delivery.
Dlamini said the partnership between ERS and EPTC was a practical demonstration of the possibilities that could emerge when public institutions worked together to meet the needs of emaSwati.
She called for the continued embrace of partnership, innovation and service excellence to ensure that government services reached citizens wherever they lived.
“May we continue to embrace the spirit of partnership, innovation and service excellence as we work together to bring government services closer to every Liswati,” she said.
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