Eswatini Tribune

  LUDZIDZINI - The first-of-its-kind Emaganu (Marula) Festival holiday will be observed on March 10. This follows the announcement by Lutsango regiment Indvuna Phindile Matsebula, commanded by His Majesty King Mswati III, summoning the Lubombo region Lutsango on March 7 at Hlane Royal Residence. The King announced in his speech during the Buhleni leg of the annual Emaganu Festival that the Monday after the Hlane leg will be a holiday, intertwined with the King Sobhuza II holiday which was previously observed on July 22. The weekend long ceremony will begin on Friday March 7 with the arrival of the Lutsango regiment and delivery of the Buganu (Marula) brew and gifts to Her Majesty, Indlovukazi. Saturday March 8, Their Majesties will join the Lutsango regiment in song and dance while Sunday March 9 will be the day of departure. Minister for Home Affairs Princess Lindiwe announced that the regiment must wear the red lihiya on Saturday and orange on Sunday.

MBABANE - The country's electrification rate has reached 88% and is the second highest in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This was revealed by the Principal Secretary (PS) in the ministry of Natural Resources and Energy Lindiwe Mbingo in the ongoing Sustainable Energy Week (SEW) in Gaborone,  Botswana.  Mbingo is representing the country in a dynamic panel discussion entitled "Energy for Development: The Critical Role of Off-Grid Renewables in Empowering Lives and Livelihoods". As a key participant in this discussion, PSMbingo shared her expertise and perspectives on the critical role of off-grid renewable energy solutions in driving economic and social development, while also supporting the transition to sustainable energy systems. Addressing the critical question on the role of off-grid renewables in socio-economic development, Mbingo responded that, "The Government of Eswatini envisions off-grid solutions playing a vital role in ensuring univers...

  MANZINI - The University of Eswatini has celebrated the first cohort of the UNESWA Artifical Intelligence Academy (UAIA)’s Generative AI for Educators Certificate Programme. A special cceremony was held at The George Hotel o  Friday, February 21st, 2025.  The graduation is a huge milestone in using AI to transform education in Eswatini and beyond. The UNESWA AI Academy (UAIA) is dedicated to driving AI innovation for economic development and skill-building. This groundbreaking program equips educators with the knowledge and tools to responsibly integrate Generative AI into their classrooms, from AI literacy and prompt engineering to personalised learning and AI-assisted research. Over 100 participants from around the world, including representatives from Eswatini, Australia, the UK, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, and more were part of the programme. Applications are open at https://bit.ly/GenAIEducators2 

MBABANE - Local journalist, Nathie Gule, a freelance writer and columnist for Eswatini News publication, is among 14 Southern African journalists currently in Brussels on a familiarisation tour of the European Union (EU) and its institutions.  The week-long visit, courtesy of the EU, is taking place on 24 – 28 February 2025 and will also focus on the challenges of disinformation. Whilst in Brussels, the journalists will learn about the EU’s relations with Africa, digital connectivity, freedom of speech and EU approach to FIMI (Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference).  The journalists who are coming from Eswatini, Malawi, Lesotho, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, will also visit the European News Room and Press agency. The European Union (EU) is a supranational political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe.

MBABANE - Prime Minister Russell Dlamini has urged countries to embrace the diversity of governance systems, as "true political renewal is not in the forced conformity to a single model, but in the willingness to embrace different approaches that work for different societies." The Prime Minister has been speaking during the 3rd Annual Meeting of the Global Council for Political Renewal (GCPR) in Brussels, Belgium, held under the theme: "Together for Ethics, Justice and Peace." The PM further unpacked the Eswatini governance structure. "As we gather here today under the theme of ethics, justice and peace, I urge us all to appreciate the uniqueness of governance structures across the world. True political renewal is not in the forced conformity to a single model, but in the willingness to embrace different approaches that work for different societies," he said. Dlamini added that the world is stronger when nations respect and celebrate diversity in governanc...

 BUHLENI - His Majesty King Mswati III has announced a first of its kind holiday for the Marula Festival. According to the King when addressing thousands of Lutsango regiment and the nation during the first leg of the Emaganu (Marula) Festival, the holiday will be intertwined with the July 22 holiday which marked the birth of the late King Sobhuza II. "In celebration of this holiday, it will now be staged on the Monday after the Hlane Emaganu ceremony," the King said, to much excitement from the Lutsango regiment. The second leg of the festival is held at Hlane Royal Residence, most often, two weeks after the Buhleni festival held this past weekend, February 21 - 23. King Sobhuza II birthday is a public holiday in Eswatini and will now be celebrated much earlier with the Emaganu holiday which celebrates the Lutsango regiment dedication for this annual festival. The Emaganu Festival is one of Eswatini’s biggest cultural events held over two legs where women (Lutsango) deliver ...

KWALUSENI - The Minister of Information, Communications and Technology Savannah Maziya says the innovative solutions developed and showcased by emaSwati students at the National Science Week must be used "to tackle real world challenges such as poverty, climate change and inequality." The minister was speaking at the closing of the 2025 Eswatini National Science Week (ENSW) held under the theme: "Igniting Curiosity, Inspiring Innovation: Science for Sustainable Economic Growth" at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) Sports Emporium. This year’s event focused on empowering youth through STEM education, innovation and digital transformation. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The ENSW provided a platform for students, educators and industry leaders to showcase groundbreaking projects in AI, robotics, ICT and renewable energy, proving that Eswatini’s future is driven by technology and innovation.  "The greatest innovation is that whi...

 BUHLENI - Thousands of the Lutsango regiment came through to the Buhleni Royal Residence to officially mark the beginning of the Emaganu Festival first leg. As usual, the second leg will be staged two weeks later (pending confirmation from His Majesty King Mswati III) at Hlane Royal Residence. Members of the Lutsango regiment delivered gifts to Her Majesty the Indlovukazi including the buganu brew. The annual Emaganu Festival is one of Eswatini's biggest cultural events, attracting tourists from across the world. During the Emaganu weekend, women generally deliver the buganu (marula) brew to Their Majesties on arrival on Friday before dancing the day away on Saturday. Sunday serve as the departure day and the regiment usually receive gifts from Her Majesty as a sign of showing appreciation.

MBABANE- Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has met with Deputy President of the European Parliament, His Excellency Antonella Sberna and her delegation in Brussels, Belgium. The PM briefed Sberna and her delegation about the Tinkhundla system of governance, Sibaya (The People's Parliament) and human rights, amongst other issues. Dlamini is in Brussels to attend the third Annual Meeting of the Global Council for Political Renewal (GCPR). The PM is also expected to have a bilateral with European Commission Director General, His Excellency Koen Doens, among others. The Tinkhundla system of governance in Eswatini is a unique form of decentralised administration that blends traditional and modern governance.  It is based on traditional leadership structures and is designed to promote grassroots participation in decision-making. The country is divided into 59 Tinkhundla (constituencies), which serve as the electoral and administrative units.  These constituencies elect Members of...

BHAHWINI - The Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla has extended her deepest appreciation to Philip Morris International for their generous donation of US$100 000 (approximately E1.8million) towards the reconstruction and recovery of decent houses for vulnerable groups.  The DPM said the funds received have made a tremendous difference to the families affected by the recent months windstorms across the country. She was addressing a high-powered delegation led by Vice President of Phillip Morris International Christos Herpantidis at Maseyisini Inkhundla before visiting one of the beneficiaries, Sifundvo at Mzizi community. “With these resources, we have been able to rebuild hope and restore dignity to our citizens. A total of 20 decent houses all over the country were constructed, providing safety and security to the most vulnerable families,” the DPM said.  Through this funding, two neighbourhood care points (NCPs) were also constructed, and it is providing nutritious ...

MLILWANE - It is just a matter of hours before runners 'hit the road' for the  #ResolutionRun2025 at Mlilwane Wildlife and Sanctuary. The 2025 family fun run is going to be the second biggest race in terms of entries since inception in 2016. A whopping 713 entries have been received. Runners must brace themselves for a serene experience whilst within the Nature Reserve. Collection of race packs will commence on Thursday (February 20) from 10am to 5pm at Mlilwane Game Sanctuary Main Gate. Runners are encouraged to remember to come prepared to buy the Temporal Running license sold at E20 by Athletics Eswatini (AE). With 713 registered for the 2025 edition of the #ResolutionRun, no new entries will be accepted according to Big Game Parks Marketing and Communications Officer Nkosephayo Nkambule. "The event has reached its maximum holding capacity," she said. For sponsorship reasons, this year's edition is officially called the Lactalis Eswatini #ResolutionRun2025. ...