By Phesheya Ian Kunene
EZULWINI – If the future had a dress code, it would be smart, seamless and digital.
That was the vibe that electrified the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) Auditorium on Wednesday morning as two of the Kingdom’s boldest tech moves yet, the TaxPal and Government In Your Hands apps, made their glittering debut.
Ministers in crisp suits, CEOs with digital swagger, and innovators with fire in their eyes converged in Ezulwini for what could easily pass as a fashion-forward tech runway. But beyond the glitz, the launch marked a game-changing pivot for public service delivery in Eswatini, a joint triumph by the Ministry of ICT and the ERS, backed by the full weight of government and private sector support.
Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg, whose office is championing the digital finance revolution, set the tone for the event, describing the initiative as “proof that government can be efficient, modern and cool at the same time.” He praised the inter-ministerial collaboration, which he said showcased what Eswatini could achieve when departments move in sync.
“We are not just digitising for convenience,” Rijkenberg was quoted saying. “We are transforming how citizens relate to their government.”
‘NO ONE WANTS A TURNAROUND ON TAXES’
ICT Minister Savannah Maziya brought the heat and humour when she took to the stage, quipping that “no one wants a turnaround on their taxes”, a line that drew laughs and applause. But she quickly pivoted to the serious business of the day, explaining that the new apps were designed to “make government services more accessible, intuitive and empowering.”
With bold conviction, she declared the era of analogue governance over. “We’ve gone from long queues and form-filling fatigue to fingertip convenience,” she said, hailing the partnership with development giants like MTN Eswatini, EPTC, and the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) as a tech-first masterstroke.
And she meant it. Thanks to ongoing ICT rollout, 43 Tinkhundla centres now have free public WiFi, and 155 schools are lined up to join the connected revolution.
TAXPAL: A DIGITAL LIFELINE FOR TAXPAYERS
ERS Commissioner General Brightwell Nkambule called the launch a “watershed moment” in Eswatini’s digital journey, explaining that TaxPal was much more than an app – it was a lifeline for entrepreneurs, SMEs and taxpayers across the Kingdom.
“We’re not just bringing tax services closer to people, we’re breaking down barriers,” he said. “With TaxPal, people can apply for tax clearance, manage their accounts and access educational materials with just a few taps.”
Nkambule revealed that ERS had anchored digitalisation at the centre of its strategy and would soon integrate more payment options, from mobile wallets to card facilities, for a smoother, faster tax experience.
He also announced plans to expand the Project Bafundzise compliance education campaign, ensuring even those in rural and Swazi Nation Land areas are not left behind. “Digitalisation must be inclusive. It’s not just a trend, it’s a transformation,” he told the audience.
‘GOVERNMENT IN YOUR POCKET’
ICT eGovernment Director Bonga Ndlangamandla was equally fired up, declaring that the Government In Your Hands app was born out of Minister Maziya’s vision for “government in your pocket.” The app, designed and developed by a brilliant young team of locals, Mlamuli Mbingo, Khanyakwezwe Dlamini, Lindelwa Hlawe and Zweli Sangweni, consolidates key public services into a sleek, easy-to-use mobile platform.
Ndlangamandla didn’t hold back as he called on the nation to jump aboard the digital train. “We’re a youthful nation. Let’s move with the times. Let’s move with tech,” he said.
TECH GURUS, DIPLOMATS AND DEVELOPERS UNITE
The twin app launch drew a diverse crowd, from UNDP Resident Representatives to ambassadors and captains of industry. ERS Board Chairperson David Dlamini extended warm remarks, commending the teams behind the apps for turning bold ideas into real impact.
“This is not just a product launch. It’s a new chapter in public service,” he said. “Digital convenience is no longer a dream, it’s a standard.”
Guests were treated to demos of both apps, which are already available on the Google Play Store, and they were given a glimpse into a future where interacting with government will be as easy as ordering food online or sending a WhatsApp message.
A FLEX-FORWARD FUTURE
As digital vibes pulsed through the venue, one thing was clear, Eswatini has entered the chat, and it’s bringing tech heat with it. From tax affairs to service delivery, the Kingdom is stepping into a bold, app-enabled era, where governance is slick, smart, and a tap away.
And in true Sowetan-style storytelling, someone in the crowd was overheard saying, “If this is what digital looks like, then baby, I’m logging in for life!”
Download, tap, and take charge, because in Eswatini, the future fits right in your hand.
(Pics by: ERS)
