BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE- Eswatini took centre stage as the President of the Senate, Senator Lindiwe Dlamini, joined fellow African parliamentary leaders to mark a decade of progress under the African Parliamentarians’ Network on Development Evaluation (APNODE).
Leading a delegation of distinguished lawmakers, Senator Dlamini stood as a strong voice for Eswatini’s commitment to transparent, people‑centred development. The annual general meeting—held under the theme “APNODE: A Driver for Improving Public Policy Evaluation for Inclusive Governance”—brought together visionaries from across the continent to renew Africa’s pledge to better governance.
Championing Inclusive Governance
Addressing the gathering, Senator Dlamini highlighted a rising continental momentum: citizens across Africa are calling for leadership that listens, responds, and delivers. She emphasized that governance must evolve with the world’s rapid transformations, from globalization to heightened public expectations.
She described public policy evaluation as more than a technical tool, it is a democratic promise. “Evaluation builds trust between government and citizens by ensuring openness, fairness, and accountability,” she noted.
Eswatini Showcases Its Strengths
Senator Dlamini shone a spotlight on Eswatini’s unique Tinkhundla system, an approach blending traditional leadership with modern statecraft. She outlined national priorities such as economic diversification, strong public sector management, human development, and enhanced financial stewardship as pillars of Eswatini’s progress.
To accelerate these goals, she advocated for the establishment of national evaluation frameworks, professional evaluators, greater citizen participation, and digital transformation for real‑time monitoring, demonstrating Eswatini’s forward‑looking vision.
A Unified African Spirit
Throughout the conference, delegates reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening legislative frameworks, improving oversight, and advancing citizen‑driven development. The gathering reinforced the importance of shared African learning, integration, and collaboration.
Eswatini’s presence, marked by active engagement from its parliamentary delegation, sent a clear message: the kingdom stands ready to help shape Africa’s governance transformation.
Strategic Partnerships for Progress
On the sidelines of the event, the Moroccan Parliament signed memorandums of understanding with parliamentary bodies from Eswatini, Equatorial Guinea, and Comoros, deepening regional ties and promising new avenues for cooperation.
Hosting the gathering in Laayoune added symbolic significance, showcasing the region’s rising role as a development hub and reflecting Africa’s collective march toward progress.
(Courtesy Pic)
