Parliament has outlined a series of legislative achievements and institutional milestones as the Kingdom commemorates 40 years of leadership under Mswati III, placing a strong focus on governance reforms, public engagement and regional cooperation.
Addressing the opening of the Third Session of the 12th Parliament, Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini highlighted that the country had experienced significant socio-economic progress over the past four decades.
She credited sustained investments in infrastructure — including modern road networks, industrial expansion and rural electrification — alongside improvements in education, healthcare and technology.
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Dlamini shared that Parliament’s recent rollout of the “Taking Parliament to the People” pilot programme — an initiative designed to bring governance closer to citizens — was one of its key achievements.
“The programme was first implemented in the Manzini Region, where Members of Parliament visited Mangcongco Inkhundla and the Nkamazi Chiefdom to engage directly with communities.
“The lawmakers reported strong public participation, describing the initiative as a crucial step in strengthening dialogue between citizens and their representatives,” she said.
In its legislative report, Parliament announced that it had passed 19 primary Acts of legislation and six instruments of subordinate legislation.
Dlamini said these laws, developed through extensive stakeholder consultations, were intended to modernise the country’s legal framework while reinforcing stability and social development.
The Senate President also underscored Parliament’s growing presence on the international stage, noting that local legislators continue to secure leadership roles in regional and global forums.
She noted that Eswatini was set to host major regional gatherings, including the 60th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum as well as the Annual General Meeting and Conference of the SADCOPAC — events expected to strengthen cooperation within Southern Africa.
Parliament also highlighted the launch of a Parliament History Book documenting the country’s legislative journey, along with the unveiling of a modern Parliament Studio as part of its institutional milestones.
Dlamini said these initiatives were aimed at improving transparency and public communication.
She reaffirmed legislators’ commitment to addressing emerging global challenges, including climate change, by aligning national policies with international resilience strategies.
They also reiterated support for the country’s foreign policy doctrine, emphasising stability and constructive engagement in global affairs.
As the new parliamentary session begins, legislators pledged to build on past achievements, deepen citizen participation and continue advancing laws that support sustainable development and national unity in Eswatini.
