Eswatini is at a crossroads regarding its development trajectory. The country is grappling with complex challenges ranging from economic disparities and youth unemployment to public health pressures and climate vulnerability. The role of Parliament has never been more vital in addressing deep-rooted development challenges in a volatile geopolitical landscape. In fact, Members of Parliament (MPs) are not merely legislative representatives; they are the voice of the electorate.
To build a resilient, equitable and prosperous kingdom, emaSwati must prioritise electing leaders who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to public service, particularly towards protecting and empowering the most vulnerable members of society. In any nation, the true measure of governance lies in how it treats its most defenceless citizens. In Eswatini, vulnerability manifests across multiple demographics and other variables:
Decades of health challenges, including the HIV/AIDS epidemic, have left many children without primary caregivers, relying heavily on community networks and state support for education, nutrition and healthcare. People with disabilities often face physical, social and economic barriers and discrimination that prevent them from fully participating in economic life, making accessible social security nets essential. With a significant portion of the population residing in rural areas, economic hardship, prolonged droughts and inadequate infrastructure directly impact livelihoods and food security, especially for smallholder farmers remains a serious challenge.
Limited job creation leaves many young people struggling to secure a livelihood, while female-headed households frequently bear disproportionate burdens of poverty and unpaid care work.
Delivery of health services in Eswatini has remained a challenge for the populace which depend on public services. Drug shortages have become more of a norm than an exception. Small businesses have struggled to operate with delayed payments for services rendered to government, yet the ERS continues to demand taxes from struggling businesses. Gender-based violence and femicide have reached unprecedented levels, yet government has resisted calls for this scourge to be declared a national emergency. Addressing these deep-seated challenges requires leaders who do not treat social protection as an afterthought, but rather as the foundational pillar of national development.
What is servant leadership?
Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy and framework in which the primary goal of a leader is to serve others. Unlike traditional leadership models—where the focus is typically on the growth and success of the organisation or the power of the individual leader- a servant leader prioritises the growth, well-being and empowerment of their team members, stakeholders and community (coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in his 1970 essay, “The Servant as Leader,” the core premise is simple: A leader is a servant first). When evaluating candidates for Parliament, citizens must look beyond campaign promises and rhetoric. Effective leadership demands specific, actionable attributes:
Compassion rooted in action: A true servant of the people understands the daily struggles of rural homesteads and urban settlements alike. Compassion must be backed by a clear track record of community involvement, responsiveness and genuine empathy for those living on the margins, where people’s issues dominate parliamentary debate.
Integrity and accountability: Parliamentary oversight is essential for ensuring that public funds are utilised transparently. MPs must uphold high ethical standards, resisting corruption and ensuring that allocated budgets, whether for social grants, healthcare facilities or rural infrastructure, reach their intended beneficiaries without leakage or diversion.
Accessibility and continuous engagement: Effective MPs maintain open communication channels with their constituencies (tinkhundla), holding regular community meetings to listen to concerns, report on parliamentary developments and gather feedback directly from the grassroots level.
To bring about meaningful change, elected MPs must champion policy initiatives aimed directly at uplifting impoverished and marginalised communities.
Expanding and streamlining social protection: Social cash transfers, elderly grants and OVC educational grants provide vital lifelines. Parliamentarians must advocate for regular reviews of these stipends to match inflation and the high cost of living, while streamlining distribution systems to ensure timely payouts without unnecessary bureaucratic delays.
Strengthening rural infrastructure and basic services: Access to clean water, reliable electricity, feeder roads and well-equipped local clinics remains uneven across constituencies. MPs committed to equity must prioritise funding projects that enhance daily living standards and foster local economic opportunities.
Promoting inclusive youth and economic empowerment: Rather than relying solely on welfare, sustainable poverty reduction requires economic participation. MPs should push for targeted skills development programmes, microfinance initiatives tailored for women and youth entrepreneurs and policies that encourage investment in rural industries.
Enhancing healthcare and inclusive education: Quality healthcare and education must be universally accessible, regardless of income or geographic location. MPs must lobby for adequate funding for regional hospitals and clinics. This will ensure the availability of essential medicines, specialised care and inclusive educational facilities for children with special needs.
