BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE – The Kingdom of Eswatini is set to play a prominent role in shaping discussions on the future of municipal infrastructure when Public Works and Transport Minister Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe joins fellow African infrastructure ministers at the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA 26) in Cape Town next week.
The legislator is among the ministers from across Africa expected to participate in the high-level gathering, which will be held from August 23 to 25, 2026 at the Century City Conference Centre under the theme “Shaping the Future of Municipal Infrastructure.”
His participation places Eswatini directly in regional conversations around infrastructure development, investment, local government capacity and sustainable delivery of essential services.
Infrastructure South Africa, which organises SIDSSA, says the symposium will bring together government leaders and key stakeholders from across the continent to advance discussions on the future of municipal infrastructure. The event is expected to provide a platform for leaders to exchange experiences, examine innovative solutions, strengthen partnerships and identify practical approaches towards resilient, inclusive and sustainable infrastructure development.
For Eswatini, Chief Ndwandwe’s presence offers an opportunity to present the Kingdom’s infrastructure priorities while also drawing lessons from other African countries facing similar challenges.
The minister is specifically listed among the foreign infrastructure ministers participating in the SIDSSA Leaders Forum, alongside ministers from countries including Botswana, Lesotho, Liberia, Mauritius, Namibia, Zambia and Seychelles.
The forum is expected to focus attention on how governments can strengthen infrastructure planning and delivery while unlocking investment and improving the capacity of local authorities to provide sustainable services.
Chief Ndwandwe’s portfolio covers two areas central to economic development — public works and transport — making his participation particularly relevant to discussions on municipal infrastructure, connectivity and the development of resilient communities.
The organisers have emphasised that stronger African cooperation is increasingly important in addressing shared infrastructure challenges, unlocking investment opportunities and accelerating sustainable development.
Eswatini’s participation also comes as African governments increasingly seek to move beyond infrastructure planning towards projects that can attract investment and deliver measurable benefits to communities.
SIDSSA has previously positioned itself as a platform connecting government, industry and international stakeholders around infrastructure investment and delivery. Its 2025 edition, for example, highlighted strategic infrastructure projects and the importance of collaboration between public and private-sector stakeholders.
Chief Ndwandwe’s appearance therefore gives Eswatini an opportunity not only to contribute to continental policy discussions but also to strengthen relationships with infrastructure leaders, potential partners and investors from across Africa.
The three-day symposium will conclude on August 25, with the organisers positioning the gathering as a platform for collaboration, integration and sustainable infrastructure development across African cities and communities.
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(Courtesy Pic)
