Mbabane – Mayor Thulani Mkhonto addressed residents of Mbabane in his end-of-year message, reflecting on the city’s achievements in 2025 and plans for 2026. He thanked citizens for their resilience, discipline, and cooperation, noting that their engagement “guided our priorities” and inspired municipal efforts to make Mbabane a home for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
The City maintained a property tax collection rate of 83 percent despite global economic pressures, ensuring uninterrupted delivery of services including waste collection, water supply, road maintenance, and social support. Long-outstanding arrear rates remain a challenge, with the property tax debt rising above E72 million. To address this, the Council is engaging stakeholders on new user fee structures and developing a supplementary valuation roll to ensure fair property assessments aligned with city growth objectives.
Governance assessments by SNG Thomton Auditors rated Mbabane 90 percent in organisational performance and 93 percent in governance, surpassing national benchmarks. Technological upgrades advanced the 5G and Smart City Programme, with surveillance cameras installed across the city centre, flood-monitoring sensors deployed along major rivers, and a central control room monitored by the Royal Eswatini Police Service. The city is now 5G-enabled, with limited public Wi-Fi to follow, improving connectivity for residents and businesses. 
Urban planning under the Mbabane Structure Plan and Inner-City Urban Design Framework continues to guide growth through 2045, positioning the Central Business District as a mixed-use hub integrating housing, education, healthcare, leisure, and business. The city earned the Green Municipality Award 2025, with 88 percent of waste managed through controlled facilities, following a Waste Wise Cities Tool assessment in partnership with UN-Habitat and the African Clean Cities Platform.
Security operations were strengthened with the appointment of Intelligence Security Services, replacing Shield Intelligence Security after six years. The new provider manages Council property, public safety, illegal vending, and animal-related nuisances. Corporate transformation included the creation of Health Services and Strategy & Operations departments, improving accountability, responsiveness, and institutional capacity.
Social support initiatives reached over 1,000 children with daily meals through an E2.2 million partnership with eBet. Educational support included school fees for 11 beneficiaries, 20 learners receiving uniforms, and 45 provided with school shoes. Food safety operations were intensified in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, REPS, Ministry of Commerce, and the Eswatini Dairy Board, safeguarding public health. A Youth Indaba is planned to foster dialogue, mentorship, and skills development for young residents.
Infrastructure projects included road rehabilitation and sidewalk construction along key routes, as well as new satellite bus ranks, such as Sidwashini, improving urban mobility and supporting township-based informal trade. Mbabane also hosted its first full marathon, drawing 2,400 participants from Eswatini, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, promoting health, tourism, and local business activity.
Economic growth initiatives focused on youth empowerment and SME development through the Youth Empowerment Growth Model and a five-year MOU with Junior Achievement Eswatini, including the Out-of-School Entrepreneurship Programme. The Eswatini Consumer Expo showcased 141 local vendors, while Mbabane Day events further boosted economic activity.
Key infrastructure projects slated for 2026 include completion of Dube Street and Motha Street, rehabilitation of Litete and Imfuyo Streets, and restoration of the Fonteyn Road culvert. Public health initiatives also reached over 1,700 children through supplementary immunisation campaigns in August and November 2025.
Mayor Mkhonto concluded by urging residents to unite in vision and purpose, saying, “Together we are laying the foundation for a smart city that is cleaner, safer, economically active and responsive to the evolving needs of its people.”
