Matsapha — The three-day Eswatini Local Government Conference concluded yesterday, bringing together more than 500 participants from across the country. The event, held under the theme “One country, one system of local government,” aimed to foster dialogue on unifying the nation’s local governance under the Tinkhundla system.
Minister of Education and Training, Hon. Owen Nxumalo, who closed the conference on behalf of Acting Prime Minister Hon. Thulisile Dladla, described the gathering as a major milestone in promoting collaboration among Emaswati on matters of national importance.
Nxumalo praised the strong involvement of youth, people living with disabilities, and traditional leaders, noting the eagerness for further discussions as a sign that more frequent consultative platforms are needed. He stressed the importance of educating citizens about the Tinkhundla system to combat misinformation, calling for collective efforts to institutionalise knowledge alongside ongoing local government reforms. 
International delegates from Ghana, Zambia, Kenya, and South Africa also contributed valuable lessons on decentralisation, which will help shape Eswatini’s approach to local governance and development.
