BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE – The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) has strengthened its drive to improve accountability and public sector oversight by equipping its senior management team with advanced supervisory and leadership skills aimed at enhancing the quality and impact of government audits.
The week-long Supervisory Management Skills Training, conducted by the Eswatini Institute of Management and Public Administration (EIMPA), brought together the institution’s senior leadership, including Deputy Auditor Generals, Assistant Auditor Generals, Principal Auditors, Senior Auditors, the Principal Accountant, Principal Human Resources Officer and Human Resources Officer.
The training formed part of the OAG’s broader strategy to strengthen leadership capacity and ensure that supervisors are fully equipped to guide teams, improve performance and deliver high-quality audit services that contribute to stronger governance across the country.
Addressing participants during the closing and certification ceremony, Auditor General Timothy Matsebula said effective leadership and supervision were essential for the institution to fulfil its constitutional mandate.
He said the Office of the Auditor General carries a broad responsibility that extends beyond auditing government institutions to include international organisations such as the African Union (AU), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and various donor-funded programmes.
According to Matsebula, delivering credible and impactful audit reports requires supervisors who can provide strong leadership, coordinate teams effectively and ensure that public resources are utilised efficiently.
“We have a very broad mandate and to effectively deliver our mandate, we need effective supervision and leadership to optimally attain value for money and achieve our mandate of delivering impactful audit services to Government,” said Matsebula.
He explained that the OAG continues to position itself as a strategic partner to Government by conducting audits that not only promote financial accountability but also help improve public service delivery and strengthen institutional performance.
Matsebula said investing in leadership development was a deliberate decision because meaningful organisational transformation begins with leaders who inspire excellence, professionalism and ethical conduct within their teams.
He noted that when supervisors are empowered with the right skills, they are better positioned to guide employees, build high-performing teams and create a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organisation.
Representing EIMPA, Course Coordinator Lungile Ngcamphalala thanked the Office of the Auditor General for entrusting the institute with delivering the programme, describing leadership development as a critical investment in strengthening public institutions.
She said empowering managers with practical supervisory skills ultimately contributes to improved organisational performance and better service delivery for the nation.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Assistant Auditor General Samkele Motsa expressed appreciation to the OAG leadership for investing in the professional growth of its managers.
Motsa said the programme had provided valuable insights into effective leadership, strategic supervision, government values and the responsibilities expected of modern public sector managers.
She said one of the most valuable lessons from the training was the importance of self-reflection and personal accountability in leadership.
“We are empowered to lead our teams and the most important aspect from this training is an introspective approach we have adopted; which is to individually strive to implement what we have learnt and be catalysts for change in the office,” she said.
One of the programme facilitators, Chief Kusa, also commended the participants for their commitment throughout the training.
He said the programme had given facilitators a deeper appreciation of the significant work undertaken by the Office of the Auditor General in safeguarding public resources and strengthening accountability.
Chief Kusa added that the work performed by the institution plays a vital role in promoting transparency, improving governance and ensuring that public funds are managed responsibly for the benefit of emaSwati.
