The community of Ezulwini started the year 2026 with a powerful call for national unity and selfless compassion.
During a special beginning of the year service held yesterday, Ezulwini Chief Sifiso Mashampu Khumalo urged residents to embrace a spirit of unconditional love.
This call aligns with the declaration made by King Mswati III, who has designated 2026 as the year of ‘Agape Love.’
The service, which was held at the umphakatsi, saw a massive turnout as churches from across Ezulwini gathered to welcome the New Year through prayer.
The event was a true display of harmony, bringing together various Christian denominations, church leaders and community members.
Notable figures in attendance included Isaac Magagula, Mzwandile Fakudze who also serves as the leader of the Ezulwini Assembly of God Church and representatives from the Ezulwini police.
In his address to the congregation, Khumalo described 2026 as a year that requires a renewed sense of morality and patriotism. He focused his message on the concept of ‘Agape’ which he described as the highest form of selfless and sacrificial care for one’s neighbour.
He challenged the residents to move beyond superficial feelings and instead practice a divine form of kindness that reaches everyone, including those who may be considered enemies.
“As the New Year has begun, let us all demonstrate the highest form of unconditional and sacrificial love. This kind of love is special, this kind of love is selfless, it is divine love. This love says even if it’s your enemy you must help if they come seeking for water; you must help each other. This is the kind of love we want to do good for others,” he added.
Khumalo further encouraged the community to internalise values of integrity and service, noting that true love is found in protecting the interests of the community rather than seeking self-interest. Referencing the scriptures, he pointed to Romans 12:21, reminding the audience to fight evil with goodness.
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He clarified that agape love is not about emotional whims but is a conscious decision to do good and serve others honestly.
The service was held under the theme ‘See, I am doing a new thing,’ inspired by Isaiah 43:19. Various pastors took to the pulpit to share messages of hope and the importance of leaving the failures of the past behind to focus on a brighter future.
Reverend T. Maseko of the Ezulwini Church of the Nazarene spoke passionately about the rapid growth of the area.
He noted that the ongoing physical developments in Ezulwini are a spiritual sign that God is creating new opportunities and that the town is fast becoming the heart of development in the country.
Reverend Maseko emphasised that for God to continue blessing the area, residents must remain focused on progress and renewal.
Adding to this spiritual guidance, Reverend Mzwandile Fakudze reminded the attendees that personal and community transformation begins with a relationship with God. He stated that life without Christ lacks true foundation and that the redeemer should be at the centre of everyone’s lives as they navigate the year ahead.
