BY MBONO MDLULI
MANZINI – The cities of Manzini in Eswatini and Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in tourism and economic development.
The agreement was signed in Manzini on Saturday, May 30, 2026, during a visit by a delegation from Durban that travelled to the Kingdom to attend the 19th edition of the MTN Bushfire Festival and participate in other tourism-related activities.
The partnership is expected to create opportunities for both cities to share knowledge, promote tourism and develop initiatives that can contribute to economic growth and job creation.
TOURISM AS AN ECONOMIC DRIVER
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Durban Deputy Mayor Sipho Cele said the success of both cities depended on their ability to work together rather than viewing each other as competitors.
Cele said tourism had become one of the most important sectors for economic development and that collaboration between cities could unlock greater opportunities than competition alone.
He said while healthy competition remained necessary, partnerships were essential for achieving long-term and sustainable growth.
“Collaboration enables cities to share experiences, exchange ideas and develop strategies that benefit both communities,” he said.
Cele added that the agreement would help strengthen ties between the people of Durban and Manzini while opening new avenues for business, tourism and cultural exchange.
VISITING LOCAL AUTHORITIES
During their stay in Eswatini, members of the Durban delegation visited several local authorities to gain a better understanding of municipal operations and development initiatives in the country.
Apart from touring Manzini, the visitors also had an opportunity to engage with officials from the Municipal Council of Mbabane and the Ezulwini Municipality.
The visits provided a platform for discussions on urban development, service delivery, tourism promotion and strategies for attracting investment into local economies.
Officials from both countries expressed optimism that the engagements would lead to stronger cooperation beyond the tourism sector.
RIGHT TIME FOR PARTNERSHIP
Manzini Deputy Mayor Bongani Ndwandwe described the signing of the MoU as timely, saying it coincided with efforts by the city to implement sustainable development initiatives.
Ndwandwe said the city was pursuing programmes aimed at improving infrastructure, enhancing service delivery and creating an environment that would attract investors and visitors.
He noted that partnerships with established tourism destinations such as Durban could help Manzini achieve some of its development goals while creating opportunities for residents and businesses.
According to Ndwandwe, the agreement demonstrates the commitment of both cities to building lasting relationships that will benefit future generations.
BOOSTING ESWATINI’S TOURISM TARGETS
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the Eswatini Tourism Authority, Vusi Dlamini, welcomed the continued influx of visitors into the Kingdom.
Speaking to Eswatini TV, Dlamini said every tourist entering the country contributed towards the national goal of attracting two million visitors annually by 2027.
He said events such as the MTN Bushfire Festival continued to play a critical role in positioning Eswatini as a preferred tourism destination in the region.
Dlamini added that partnerships between cities and municipalities were important in supporting the country’s tourism growth strategy and ensuring that visitors experience different attractions across the Kingdom.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is expected to strengthen relations between Manzini and Durban while contributing to efforts aimed at promoting tourism-led economic growth in both cities.
