During the first quarter reporting period the UNESWA Endowment Fund hosted the Umfundzate Scholarship Programme stakeholder engagement event at the UNESWA, Kwaluseni Campus. The scholarship programme is a strategic endeavour falling under the Skill and Capability Development Unit of the organisation.
The milestone event underscored the transformative effect of scholarships on changing lives and improving quality of life by building the much-needed intellectual capacity and developing a diverse range of skills for the nation to become a world class developmental economy.
Vice Chancellor of UNESWA, Professor Justice Thwala – Building talent pipeline
The Vice Chancellor of the University Professor Justice Thwala called upon various corporate entities to strongly consider partnering with the UNESWA Endowment Fund to establish their own custom-designed scholarship programmes. The Vice Chancellor stressed that there is a strong business case for companies in the private sector especially to not only make corporate social investments within the education space, but also to build their own talent pipeline and internal capacity.
UNESWA 42nd Annual Graduation Ceremony
The Vice Chancellor noted that during the 42nd Graduation Ceremony, His Majesty King Mswati III, Chancellor of UNESWA, reaffirmed the university’s vital role in shaping Eswatini’s future. The King described UNESWA as “a national asset with a prominent place in the education of society.” His words echoed the significance of investing in higher learning, recognizing the institution’s role in producing skilled professionals, leaders, and innovators who will drive national and continental progress.
Preventing Brain Drain and Capital Flight
Thwala noted that, “One of the most significant impacts of Scholarship Programme is its role in preventing brain drain, which is the loss of skilled individuals who seek education and employment abroad. He suggested that local scholarships allow talented students to study within Eswatini, ensuring they build networks, engage with local industries and contribute to national growth upon graduation. Without such initiatives, many promising students may leave for foreign institutions, reducing Eswatini’s professional talent pool and weakening the economy.”
Aligning with National and Global Developmental Goals
According to the Vice Chancellor, the UNESWA Endowment Fund Scholarship Programme contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 for quality education and SDG 10 for reduced inequalities, ensuring that deserving students receive access to higher education regardless of financial circumstances. He mentioned that to-date about 40 students undertaking various degree programmes had received scholarship since the inception of the Umfundzate Scholarship Initiative.
UNESWA Strategic Plan 2024 – 2029
The VC noted that the initiative aligns with the Strategic Plan 2024 – 2029 of the University which outlines key measures for expanding access to quality education, strengthen research and innovation, enhance financial sustainability, and promote institutional effectiveness. According to the Vice Chancellor what is central to the plan is the university’s mission to produce employable and entrepreneurial graduates, ensuring that students are equipped with relevant industry-ready skills that align with Eswatini’s National Development Plan 2023 – 2027.
UNESWA Accreditation and Programme Offering
Professor Thwala emphasized the fact that UNESWA is internationally accredited and ranked and through the support rendered by His Majesty and Chancellor was able to hire some of the best-in-breed academic staff who have been trained extensively locally and abroad. The University has a total of 8 faculties offering on-demand undergraduate, masters, and doctoral level degree programmes from which organisations can cherry pick the most relevant and suitable areas that are aligned with their specific objectives and interests.
He concluded by stating that by embedding academic excellence and research-driven innovation in its strategic roadmap, UNESWA remains a cornerstone of Eswatini’s long-term growth and development.
Education Sector Funding Allocation
A desk review of Eswatini’s budget speech shows that in the 2025/2026 financial year, direct expenditure allocated to scholarships by the Government of Eswatini amounts to approximately E647 million per academic year, representing 17 percent of the country’s total public expenditure. To this end, the government is meeting global standards in education funding, adhering to United Nations recommendations outlined in the Incheon Declaration of 2015 and Paris Declaration of 2021, which urge governments to allocate at least 15 to 20 percent of total public expenditure to education. E5.1 billion has been invested, which is 16% of government expenditure.
Privately funded scholarships such as the ESRIC and RES Corporation Scholarship Programmes, complement this national effort, ensuring that more students receive direct financial assistance tailored to their fields of study.
Key Stakeholders, ESRIC and RESCorp
The stakeholder engagement event, attended by executive leaders from the Eswatini Royal Insurance Corporation (ESRIC) and Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation (RES Corporation) Scholarship Programmes included the award of scholarships and the signing of contractual agreements by a total of seven beneficiaries sponsored by the two corporate entities.
ESRIC’s Marketing Manager, Gcebile Simelane, reinforced the company’s commitment to education. Speaking to the beneficiaries Simelane said, “This commitment is a cornerstone of our CSI mandate, reflecting our firm belief that by providing access to education, we are equipping you with the tools for a better life and, in turn, ensuring a more prosperous nation for us all.”
Speaking on the importance of these scholarships, RES Corporation’s Corporate Social Investment Manager, Phindile Dlamini-Lukhele, emphasized, “Providing scholarships creates meaningful social impact, giving access to education, empowering marginalized groups, and fostering skill development. When students study locally, they build strong connections with Eswatini’s industries, creating pathways for national growth and sustainability.”
Designated and Undesignated Funding
Simelane further indicated that the above-mentioned funds can be classified into two main categories, which are undesignated and designated funding. In the year 2024 the executive leadership of RES Corp and ESRIC made a bold and visionary decision to complement the significant effort being made the Government of Eswatini to educate Emaswati by establishing their respective scholarship programmes.
Scope and Size
The CEO concluded by stating that the scholarship programme proactively responds to the need to empower academically capable and economically disadvantaged Emaswati with the necessary financial assistance to complete their tertiary education. However, Simelane noted that the scholarships are limited at a time and contingent on private sector organisations providing funding and consensus being reached on eligibility criteria, selection process, and governance best practices needed to ensure prudent stewardship of funds. Thereafter advertisements are published on digital and traditional media for prospective candidates to submit applications.
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