BY MBONGENI NDLELA
NHLANGANO – His Majesty King Mswati III has urged 182 Ngwane College graduates to become torchbearers of Eswatini’s transformation journey.
Addressing the 39th graduation ceremony at Ngwane Teachers College today, His Majesty celebrated the graduates’ achievements while highlighting education as a cornerstone of the country’s vision to become a first-world nation. He applauded the college’s strides in research, technology adoption, and its imminent transformation into a fully-fledged university — positioning it as a vital force in shaping the nation’s future.
College on the Path to University Status
In a historic announcement, His Majesty revealed that all due diligence processes required to elevate Ngwane Teachers College into a university have been completed by Cabinet and handed to the Attorney General’s Office.
“I am confident as I stand here today that a university is about to appear and manifest here in the Shiselweni Region,” the King declared, to resounding applause from graduates, parents, and dignitaries.
The college’s strong academic profile, with 11 PhD holders and 28 Master’s degree lecturers, has set a solid foundation for its evolution into a premier tertiary institution. His Majesty expressed pride in the institution’s progress and its potential to become a university the nation can be proud of.
Technology Takes Centre Stage
The King commended the college for embracing information technology in its curriculum, noting that this aligns with Eswatini’s broader digital transformation agenda.
“The global world has embraced IT, and I’m glad that Ngwane Teachers College has also embraced IT,” he said, emphasizing the importance of preparing future educators for a world increasingly driven by digital tools.
He highlighted his engagements with high-tech industries abroad, including NASA, aimed at bringing advanced technological training, especially for women and children — to Eswatini. His Majesty said he was pleased that Ngwane College is already leading in technology adoption, ensuring it will be ready to collaborate with these global partners.
Championing Inclusivity and Sustainable Development
In a special moment, the King officially blessed a newly constructed classroom for students living with disabilities, underscoring his commitment to inclusive education. He praised the collaborative efforts behind the project, including the donation of modern learning gadgets to support students with disabilities.
His Majesty also welcomed the increase in scholarships and highlighted the installation of boreholes at the college, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on access to clean water and quality education.
“Every year we continue to roll out programmes of support for you here at Ngwane College. This is not the end of our programme, we shall annually continue to support you,” he assured students and faculty.
Graduates Encouraged to Excel
The King congratulated the 182 graduates for their hard work and dedication, acknowledging the sleepless nights and sacrifices that led to their success. He also extended heartfelt appreciation to lecturers for their unwavering commitment to nurturing future leaders.
“The nation expects you to do nothing less but the best as you pursue your education right here in this great college,” His Majesty told the students.
He urged them to fully embrace the opportunities provided by the institution and to play a meaningful role in driving national development through education, innovation, and service.
A Defining Moment for Education
His Majesty’s speech was not just a graduation address, it was a visionary call to action, placing education at the heart of Eswatini’s transformation. With Ngwane Teachers College on the brink of becoming a university, embracing digital innovation, and championing inclusivity, the Shiselweni Region is set to become a new hub of knowledge, opportunity, and national pride.
