On April 30, 2026, I joined Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini at a Government Consultative Meeting with Eswatini’s Ambassadors at Royal Villas, where the Prime Minister outlined his expectations for a more results-driven and accountable diplomatic service in service of our national development agenda.
The Prime Minister urged our Ambassadors to fully familiarise themselves with Government’s Policy Statement, the Nkwe Programme of Action and the Grand Plan for National Transformation, frameworks that provide a clear roadmap for economic growth, infrastructure development, human capital advancement, food security, social protection and national security.
“It is Government’s expectation that you, as Ambassadors, will internalise these plans so as to articulate them authoritatively to the governments and institutions to which you are accredited. The purpose is to secure, where appropriate, technical assistance, development finance, investment partnerships, and tourism promotion. This objective is both realistic and attainable,” the Prime Minister told the gathering.
The Prime Minister noted that Government’s target of 12 percent economic growth is ambitious but achievable, stressing that sustained double-digit growth is necessary to improve the livelihoods of emaSwati and accelerate the national transformation the country is working towards. He encouraged our diplomats to actively market Eswatini as an attractive destination for investment, tourism and strategic partnerships.
Good governance was equally high on the agenda, with the Prime Minister calling on Ambassadors to uphold accountability, transparency and integrity at all times and to take a firm stance against corruption wherever they encounter it.
“Currently, one of the main things derailing progress and development in the country is corruption. Corruption diverts vital resources that are meant for service delivery to fulfill personal gain. I urge you that wherever you go and wherever you are you join me and this government to fight this scourge. Wherever you see it you reject and expose it,” he said.
The Prime Minister further encouraged diplomatic missions to adopt innovative and commercially minded approaches, saying the modern Ambassador must go beyond traditional diplomacy.
“The new ambassador role is not just that of a diplomat but one who also thinks like a business person. Always looking at ways to maximize on the opportunities that are available. On this note I urge you to always have with you 10 key projects ready for financing from our Programme of Action or Grand Plan which you will always talk about in your engagements abroad,” he said.
He closed by calling on every Ambassador to lead with patriotism and a deep sense of purpose in everything they do for the country.
“As our ambassadors I urge you in all your strategies to adopt patriotism. This we can never have enough of. The willingness to defend our country. The willingness to do more for our country. The dream to see our country better. The belief in our country and what we can achieve,” the Prime Minister said.
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, H. E. Mlondi Dlamini – High Commissioner to the Republic of Mozambique, who was seated next to the Prime Minister, responded on behalf of the assembled Heads of Mission. The Dean thanked the Prime Minister for sharing the Grand Plan and for unpacking Government’s strategy in such clear and practical terms. He also extended his appreciation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Senator Pholile Shakantu, for facilitating the consultation and creating a platform for this important engagement.
The meeting brought together Ambassadors including Ambassador of the Kingdom of Eswatini to the United States Kennedy Groening, Ambassador to Malaysia Menzi Dlamini, Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Sifiso Dlamini, Ambassador to Brussels Sibusisiwe Mngomezulu, High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Thandazile Mbuyisa, High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa H. E. Lindiwe Kunene, and Ambassador to Kuwait Nkululeko Dlamini, among others.
