BY MBONO MDLULI
LOBAMBA – Members of Parliament have passed the National Budget presented by Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg following days of robust debate in the House of Assembly.
The budget was debated on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, and on the following day MPs adopted the report on the budget, effectively approving the country’s financial plan.
Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo, who also chairs the Finance Committee, moved the motion for the adoption of the report, which was supported by the House. The approval now paves the way for detailed debates on the performance of ministries for the 2025/26 financial year and their budget allocations for 2026/27.
During deliberations, MPs raised a number of concerns affecting their constituencies, including the poor state of roads across the country. Legislators said many roads were in a deteriorating condition and urged government to prioritise infrastructure improvements.
Khumalo acknowledged that MPs had pushed strongly for increases in elderly and disability grants but noted that limited resources made it difficult to secure the adjustments in the current budget cycle.
“We could not win on the matter because of the lack of resources, but I am happy that the Minister of Finance heard how MPs feel about this,” he said, adding that further discussions would take place to explore possible solutions.
He also highlighted concerns about the introduction of Grade Zero classes in some schools despite the shortage of teachers. Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo explained that teacher recruitment falls under the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), which operates independently from the ministry.
Other issues raised included budget reductions in some areas, such as E11 million from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, although MPs were informed that the Luhleliso resettlement programme would still be implemented. A further E3.5 million reduction related to Hlane Town Council.
Khumalo also pointed out that a Sovereign Wealth Fund would require enabling legislation before it could receive budgetary allocation.
Parliament was further informed that E10 million would be allocated for Eswatini to host a meeting of the Association of African Accountant Generals, an event expected to generate economic spin-offs, particularly with the completion of the International Convention Centre.
Meanwhile, Mafutseni MP Sabelo Mtsetfwa supported Khumalo’s submission and urged MPs to adopt the report. He noted that the Somhlolo National Stadium required significant funding, saying earlier proposals for E12 million had increased to around E42 million.
MPs welcomed the news that the national football team, Sihlangu SeMnikati, would play an international match at Somhlolo National Stadium on July 31, 2026, and called for adequate funding for the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs.
The debate also saw ministers responding to concerns raised by MPs. Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta-Simelane appealed for only E3 million to be reduced from her ministry instead of E5 million, noting that numerous projects still needed to be implemented.
Minister of Public Works and Transport Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe urged MPs to remain calm during the difficult budget process, emphasising that not all demands could be met due to limited resources.
Meanwhile, Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi said political influence in the allocation of funds was not only exercised by Cabinet ministers but also by MPs who often guided government on where resources should be directed.
Despite approving the budget, MPs continued to press government to address challenges faced in constituencies, including improving road infrastructure, increasing social grants and ensuring better funding for community development initiatives such as microprojects.
They also called for greater autonomy for Parliament so it could make decisions more efficiently and urged that future budgeting processes begin at constituency level to ensure communities are involved in determining development priorities.
