By Sizwe Dlamini
“The fact that we have over 300 000 EmaSwati suffering from food insecurity is deeply concerning,” this was disclosed by the country’s Prime Minister, Russell Mmiso Dlamini during the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) High-Level Segment of the 2024 UNCT Annual Retreat.
The retreat, held at the UN House on Somhlolo Road in Mbabane was themed “Nkwe” and SDG Acceleration – Assessing Progress, Addressing Challenges, and Identifying Opportunities.”
In his address, the Premier highlighted the challenge of food insecurity in Eswatini, noting that the country has 303,800 citizens struggling with food shortages. He outlined the government’s commitment to achieving food sovereignty through sustainable agriculture.
“One of our major targets is food sovereignty through sustainable agriculture to pull the 303,800 food-insecure citizens in the country out of vulnerability.”
He emphasized the government’s plan to enhance food security by prioritizing local production and shifting away from chemical agriculture in favor of organic methods.
Additionally, the government aims to develop and promote contract farming to boost export-oriented commercial agriculture, which is expected to significantly reduce unemployment, poverty, and hunger.
Dlamini also addressed issues of poor service delivery and corruption, which he said requires immediate action.
“At Sibaya, poor service delivery was identified as a major issue hindering development. To address this, the government plans to modernize public service to enhance effectiveness and efficiency. This involves embedding a culture of patriotism, excellence, and ambitious thinking through education and training,” he explained.
He added that corruption is prevalent among the elite and middle class, underscoring the government’s commitment to tackling this issue. He outlined plans to strengthen key institutions such as the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Royal Eswatini Police Service and to promote transparency and accountability.
“Currently we are investigating about 250 cases of corruption. It is important to remember that corruption is very hard to prosecute, it is not as easy as prosecuting theft. As Eswatini approaches the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deadline, we need to recalibrate strategies and address persistent challenges. The government will focus on key objectives to meet new targets while maintaining progress in areas of success,” he stated.
Looking ahead to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2026-2030, Dlamini emphasized the need for renewed commitment to the SDGs. He urged for bold strategies, innovative approaches, and steadfast resolve to ensure a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future for Eswatini.