BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Members of the public are invited to make their submissions the ongoing probe on the state of the University of Eswatini (UNESWA).
This is according to a statement issued on March 6, 2025 by Muzi Siyaya, who head the UNESWA Task Team, which was appointed by Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo to probe the state of affairs of the tertiary institution.
“The UNESWA Task Team established by Legal Notice No. 129 of 2024 invites the public, stakeholders, and all interested parties to submit written contributions on the current state of affairs at UNESWA,” says part of the statement.
Following the release of the Interim Report, this exercise seeks to gather diverse perspectives and constructive recommendations under the following critical themes:
- Factors contributing to the deteriorating conditions of UNESWA: what has led to the current state of affairs and condition of the University?
- Reviving the University: What are the practical solutions and reforms that can be implemented to restore academic excellence, governance, and financial sustainability at the University
According to the statement, contributors are encouraged to provide evidence-based insights and actionable recommendations in a concise, clear, and well-structured format.
Deadline for Submission: 15th March 2025
Submission email: uneswatask@gmail.com
Siyaya mentioned that UNESWA is a public institution, and therefore, input from members of the public is invaluable. He encouraged all concerned individuals, organisations, and stakeholders to participate in this important national process.
For further inquiries, members of the public are urged to contact the secretariat using the email uneswatask@gmail.com
The Task Team was appointed on June 17, 2024 at UNESWA, Kwaluseni Campus by Minister Nxumalo. The 12-member Task Team comprises managers from different parastatals, public sector, and the private sector. The minister did this in response to complaints by the members of the public, who expressed concerns about the state of the country’s tertiary institution.
Appointing the Task Team, Nxumalo mandated the team to deliver a preliminary report after three months on what they would find. The report was duly delivered and found that there were many things that were found to be disturbing at the institution. For instance, it was found that there were corrupt practices alleged to be taking place at the institution. During a press conference at the Ministry of Education and Training on February 5, 2025, the minister called for correction of these practices so that the institution could return to its glory. The press conference was for the introduction of the interim report of the UNESWA probe. It was during that meeting where he also committed himself to revamp the institution, working with his team from the Ministry of Education and other relevant stakeholders.
Nxumalo also mentioned that the probe was to continue and members of the public would also be invited to make their submissions.
