Heeding call for Agape love may turn country around

I would Like to reflect on His Majesty’s call for the nation to practice Agape love. His Maj­esty noted the following: Let us be reminded that this year is the year of Agape love’ which is the highest form of unconditional love,”. He then invited the nation to recite the following prayer: “Lord please grant me Agape love. May I love my neighbour as unconditionally. May I uphold respect and honour national interests at all times. May I be found pleasing, honest in serving my country, in Jesus’ name. Amen”

The call for the nation to commit itself to Agape love, may be informed by how our country, which is united by the same language and heritage, has been plagued over the years by divisions.

Our country is one of the most unequal. Oxfam once published a report titled: ‘The tale of two continents’ where it was indicated that, ‘despite the recent spate of economic growth, Africa remains afflicted by entrenched poverty and alarmingly high and rising inequality.

‘The gap between rich and poor is greater than in any other region of the world apart from Latin America, and in many African countries, this gap continues to grow. In this context, the prospects of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063 are severely diminished’. The report states that seven of the of the 20 most unequal countries are African – the four most unequal being Eswatini, Nigeria, South Africa and Namibia.

The other challenges that have divided the nation include high levels of poverty at 58 per cent, unem­ployment close to 40 per cent, youth unemployment of 56 per cent and gender-based violence that has reached endemic levels. EmaSwati who feel marginalised include persons with disabilities and women in general.

Eswatini has struggled with high levels of cor­ruption for decades. Successive administrations has all highlighted the blight of poverty in the country. According to Transparency International 2025 Report, Eswatini scored 20/100 and ranked 153 out of 184 surveyed countries, indicating how deep the problem is.

What is agape love?

Agape love is the highest form of Christian love, defined as selfless, unconditional and sacrificial care that prioritises others’ well-being regardless of circumstances or merit. Originating from Ancient Greek, it represents a conscious choice to act in love rather than just a feeling, often exemplified by God’s love for humanity and Jesus’s actions.

Key aspects of agape love include:

Unconditional nature: It is not dependent on the actions or responses of the recipient.

Sacrificial action: It requires action and com­mitment, sometimes involving personal cost.

Universal scope: It extends to everyone, in­cluding strangers and enemies.

Biblical foundation: Commonly associated with the New Testament, it is described as the, ‘love of God for [human beings] and of [human beings] for God’.

It is anchored on John 3: 16: ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life’. In Mathew 22:36-9, one of the Pharisees/law experts asked Jesus which of the 10 commandments was the most important? According to Jesus, ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart and Soul and with all your mind. Love your neighbour as yourself’.

Jesus said: “There is no commandment greater than these”. Jesus said alongside loving God, we need to love others with tangible actions, care and generosity.

The world we live in has resources for everyone, but unfortunately, only a few have access to them while the majority are languishing in want. If we could share with our unfortunate neighbors, their dignity would be restored.

The call for the nation to pursue Agape love is very profound and should be taken seriously by individ­uals, leaders in government, the private sector, non-State actors, traditional authorities and in particular, individuals,’ so that we may, as a country, overcome the deep divisions that have been alluded to above.

We have been called upon to pray and ask God to grant us Agape love.

This love can only be realised with the help of the Holy Spirit. This is, unfortunately, love that must be seen in action not in words, slogans or songs. Loving the unlovable is not going to be easy. There was a call to respect and honour national interest. It is a call for leaders and citizens to prioritise the eco­nomic and well-being of the nation at large, while recognising principles, laws and ethical standards.

The call to be found pleasing and honest in serving the country. We are called as individuals and as leaders to serve with honesty and with integrity. This will eliminate rampant corruption that continues to undermine the country’s development.

Let us all contribute to a better country through Agape love.