NO EXCUSE FOR POVERTY IN ESWATINI

With political parties showing symptoms of political regression after being tainted by internal squabbles, disunity and division along party lines, Tinkhundla System of Government is expected to capitalise on this political deficit. It must capitalise on this deficit to enhance service delivery in two crucial components - complete eradication of poverty and reduction of inequality.

There is no other way a political system can appease or win the hearts of the nation other than eradicating poverty and reducing inequality, which is a state of being not equal in opportunities, status and rights. Politics is like a policy that encourages the competitive market wherein prices are reduced to the benefit of the consumers. When critics seemingly lack credence and integrity to convincingly and emphatically promote their ideology in the political market, the existing state of affairs must upscale its delivery system. According to the World Bank, the country’s poverty rate is projected to decline from 52.1 per cent in 2024 to 51.4 per cent in 2025.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that 29 per cent of the country’s population are facing severe acute food insecurity and urgently require humanitarian assistance. The country’s population stands at 1.2 million. We have a manageable population. Inequality refers to the uneven distribution of resources, opportunities and wealth among individuals or groups within a society.  This can manifest in various forms such as income inequality, where there is an unequal distribution of financial resources, or social inequality, where disparities exist in access to education, healthcare and other vital services.

Inequality is a multifaceted issue that often intersects with race, gender and other socio-economic factors, complicating efforts to address it comprehensively.  We are fortunate that Eswatini is a homogenous country, as most of the population is of the same tribe.  However, we are a nation that is grappling with significant socio-economic challenges. It is, therefore, important to understand and address inequality. This is very critical. I advise our government to implement several strategies to mitigate inequality, including equitable distribution of resources, investing in education, improving healthcare access and fostering economic diversification to create more employment opportunities.

Welfare

Additionally, implementing progressive taxation systems and social welfare programmes can help redistribute wealth more evenly across the population. Several countries have made strides in reducing inequality. For instance, the Nordic countries—Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland—have been successful largely due to their comprehensive welfare systems and emphasis on ensuring equal access to education and healthcare. We are a country with an ambition to attain First World status, which is a progressive dream for a nation with a sound vision.  

These countries I mentioned above have managed to maintain relatively low levels of income inequality, while sustaining high standards of living and robust economic growth. Brazil offers another example, where measures such as conditional cash transfer programmes like Bolsa Família have helped reduce extreme poverty and inequality. Such programmes incentivise education and healthcare, directly impacting the root causes of inequality. I want to mention that reducing inequality yields numerous benefits, particularly in terms of peace and social security. Societies with lower inequality levels tend to experience less social unrest and higher levels of trust and cohesion among their citizens.

When people believe they have equal opportunities to succeed, it fosters a sense of belonging and cooperation, reducing the likelihood of conflict. Moreover, egalitarian societies often exhibit lower crime rates, as economic desperation—a major driver of criminal activities—is minimised. Poverty is a condition in which individuals or communities lack the financial resources to meet basic living standards, including food, shelter, education and healthcare. Experts analyse it by measuring both absolute and relative metrics. Absolute poverty refers to a set standard which is consistent across countries, such as living on less than $1.90 (E34.20) a day, while relative poverty compares an individual’s resources to the broader society in which they live.

Eswatini, with a population of around 1.2 million, faces a significant challenge with poverty. Given the country’s wealth in natural resources, poverty cannot be justified and can potentially be eradicated. The essential focus should be on effective utilisation of resources, better governance and inclusive economic policies that ensure benefits reach all segments of society. Despite that China, for a very long time, has been considered a developing country for a number of reasons, has made significant progress in poverty reduction through targeted economic reforms, industrialisation and infrastructure development.

In China, since the economic reforms initiated in 1978, hundreds of millions have been lifted out of poverty through rapid economic growth and government policies aimed at boosting rural incomes. In Eswatini, we have to take the factory shells to rural areas to improve the incomes there. I have to emphasise that income inequality is a driver of societal mayhem.
Similarly, Vietnam has transformed from one of the world’s poorest nations into a lower-middle-income country by integrating into the global economy and investing in education and infrastructure. The United Nations, through its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), aimed to halve the proportion of people living in poverty by 2015.

Poverty

The MDGs emphasised a global partnership approach to address poverty, combining efforts to improve health, education and economic growth in the developing world.
Although significant progress was made, challenges remain, highlighting the need for sustained efforts and the transition to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to ‘end poverty in all its forms everywhere’ by 2030. For Eswatini, the path to eliminating inequality and poverty involves a multi-pronged approach that encompasses policy reform, economic diversification and comprehensive social welfare programmes.

Lessons from successful countries highlight the importance of inclusive growth and redistribution mechanisms that ensure all citizens benefit from the nation’s economic progress.
Addressing inequality and poverty is not just a moral obligation, but a strategic imperative for fostering long-term peace and social security. When every individual has the opportunity to achieve their potential, societies can thrive on solid, stable foundations. By learning from international best practices and tailoring solutions to local contexts, Eswatini can aspire to a more equitable and prosperous future.

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