By Mbono Mdluli
LOBAMBA – His Majesty King Mswati III has reaffirmed Eswatini’s unwavering commitment to peace and development despite ongoing global conflicts.
Delivering the Speech from the Throne on January 31, 2025, during the opening of the Second Session of the 12th Parliament in the House of Assembly, the King emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing crises that threaten economic and social progress.
“The world is grappling with numerous crises, including global tensions and conflicts, which demand stronger collaboration among nations to mitigate their devastating impact. Eswatini remains dedicated to upholding the noble ideals of the United Nations, including the 2023 New Agenda for Peace, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) goals, among others,” he stated.
The King further highlighted Eswatini’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties and fostering new partnerships for development. He urged the nation to leverage the benefits provided by intercontinental trade agreements to stimulate economic growth.
“We must take full advantage of the incentives available through various trade agreements established at intercontinental summits to enhance start-up capital and drive economic partnerships,” he said.
Fighting Corruption for Socio-Economic Growth
Addressing governance, His Majesty underscored the importance of eradicating corruption, stressing that the country’s socio-economic progress depends on the success of these efforts.
“The fight against corruption must be a collective endeavor, requiring strengthened policies, enhanced protection for whistleblowers, and the cultivation of a culture of integrity,” he emphasized.
Decentralization and Public Service Delivery
The King also spoke on decentralization, reaffirming the government’s priority to bring essential services closer to the people. He highlighted efforts to ensure affordable civil registration and immigration services for all citizens, a response to calls made at Sibaya, the national people’s forum.
Additionally, he noted the success of a nationwide mopping exercise conducted across all chiefdoms. This initiative, along with the “Closing the Tap” program in the country’s health facilities, has significantly reduced the number of undocumented children and vulnerable individuals who were previously excluded from access to healthcare and education.
His Majesty’s speech reflected Eswatini’s steadfast dedication to peace, development, economic growth, and good governance amid global uncertainties.
