Swaziland Newsletter No. 879 – 30 May
2025
News from and about Swaziland, compiled by
Global Aktion, Denmark (www.globalaktion.dk)
in collaboration with Swazi Media Commentary (www.swazimedia.blogspot.com),
and sent to all with an interest in Swaziland - free of charge. The newsletter
and past editions are also available online on the Swazi Media Commentary
blogsite.
New
HIV infections looming as eSwatini faces shortage of ARVs amid worsening health
crisis
By
Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 26 May, 2025
MBABANE: Dr Clara Nyapokoto, the National
HIV/AIDS Program Officer in the Ministry of Health has written to various
health institutions, informing about the shortage of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
drugs also known as Antiretroviral (ARVs).
This is contained in a leaked email where
the Program Officer was communicating about the status of drugs supply, the
stocktaking report was communicated to Dr Clara on Friday last week.
ART refers to the treatment for HIV using
a combination of antiretroviral drugs and these drugs, also called
antiretrovirals or ARVs, are taken daily or according to a schedule to keep the
virus at a very low level in the body, allowing the immune system to repair
itself and preventing further damage.
But Dr Clara Nyapokoto received the update
report at the time when “the Government is misleading the public about the
seriousness of the health crisis”, claiming drugs were being delivered.
“Thank you for the stock status report
sent so far. CMS promised to deliver to the 2 regions that have not yet
received stock-Hhohho and Manzini. I think from our calculations, all clients
should receive a one-month supply of TLE or TLD until we receive stock. We will
be sending out a Memo next week guiding on how patients on TLE should be
managed becuse the current stock expires end of July 2025 and the other order
is still pending”, reads the email in part.
Efforts to reach Khanya Mabuza,the
Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Health proved unsuccessful at the
time of compiling this report.
Reached for comments by this Swaziland
News on Monday morning, Mayibongwe Masagwane, the Secretary General of the
Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union(SWADNU) confirmed the shortage of drugs in
public hospitals.
“The situation is really deteriorating,
there are no drugs in public hospitals but on the ARVs part, patients used to
receive drugs to be used for at least three (3) months. But now, they are
receiving drugs for only one (1) month as the situation worsens,” said the
Nurses Union Secretary General.
The
Kingdom of eSwatini consults national stakeholders on implementation of the
women, peace and security agenda
SADC,
26 May 2025
The Secretariat of the Southern African
Development Community (SADC) in collaboration with the Office of the Deputy
Prime Ministers of the Kingdom of Eswatini, hosted a four-day capacity-building
workshop for national stakeholders on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS)
Agenda, from 13 to 16 May 2025, at the Mountain View Hotel in Mbabane
The primary objective of the workshop was
to strengthen knowledge and understanding of the Women, Peace, and Security
Agenda among stakeholders in the Kingdom of Eswatini and to build capacity
towards the development of a National Action Plan on implementation of this
Agenda. The workshop provided national stakeholders with practical steps and
guidance on the processes of developing, implementing, and monitoring a
National Action Plan on WPS.
The WPS Agenda is intended to promote
implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325
on Women, Peace and Security and other supporting resolutions adopted by
the UN Security Council since October 2000. This Agenda recognises the
importance of women’s contribution and leadership in conflict resolution,
peace-making, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding, and therefore calls for their
meaningful participation at all levels of peace and security
processes. The UNSCR 1325 clearly acknowledges that war is gendered, and
that conflict and post-conflict situations render women and girls more
susceptible to sexual exploitation, displacement, kidnapping, trafficking and
to heightened poverty.
To read more of this report, click
here
Africa Day marchers call for
democracy in Swaziland
By Kimberly
Mutandiro, GroundUp (South Africa), 26 May 2025
More than one hundred people gathered at
Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Johannesburg, to participate in a solidarity walk
for Africa Day. Activists, civil society organisations, trade unions, and
immigration organisations joined the march.
Africa Day marks the day the Organisation
of African Unity, the precursor to the African Union, was formed.
The event kicked off with song, dance, and
speeches at Mary Fitzgerald Square. Led by drummers, they then marched through
the streets of Johannesburg, bringing traffic to a halt. Along Queen Elizabeth
Bridge, more speeches were made before marchers proceeded to Constitution Hill
in Braamfontein.
Marchers carried colourful banners showing
their support for different struggles, from calling for democracy in Swaziland
and peace in Palestine, to the end of coal use in South Africa. The marchers
also opposed tyranny in other African countries and celebrated victories of the
past, from the fall of colonialism to the defeat of apartheid.
“We are calling for the end to absolute
monarchy in Swaziland and an end to dictatorial leaders in Congo, Southern
Cameroon, Zimbabwe, and South Sudan. We are rising on this walk to build unity
and to share our unique stories as Africans,” said General Moyo, one of the
march conveners from the organisation Keep Left.
Speakers demanded an end to the “plundering
of Africa’s minerals”. They condemned xenophobia and called for the eradication
of colonial borders in Africa.
“Our kids are stateless because of
borders, and our people are being harassed because of borders. We should fight
against brutal colonial borders to create one Africa,” said Rose Roshoa from
the Free Basotho Movement.
Roshao said people from Lesotho who work
in South Africa as domestic workers and on farms were facing arrests due to
struggles with documentation.
Mametlwe Sebei, GIWUSA president, called
for unity among African workers in South Africa. He accused the “ruling elites”
in the country of inciting xenophobia against African migrants while touting “platitudes
about African unity”.
Marchers called for democracy in Swaziland. Photos: Kimberly Mutandiro
eSwatini
makes strides in human development – UNDP
eSwatini
Observer (Press Reader edition), 23 May 2025
Eswatini has made remarkable progress in
human development over the past three decades, with its Human Development Index
(HDI) rising by 8.8 per cent between 1990 and 2023.
The country’s HDI now stands at 0.695,
placing it within the Medium Human Development category and ranking it 126th
out of 193 countries and territories.
This significant achievement was
highlighted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident
Representative Henrik Franklin during the national launch of the Human
Development Report held at the University of Eswatini’s Kwaluseni Campus.
Franklin reflected on the country’s
development journey, noting that the latest figures marked an important
milestone.
He explained that improvements across all
HDI components, life expectancy, education outcomes and income per capita had
contributed to this upward trajectory.
In particular, he pointed out that life
expectancy at birth had increased by nearly 10 years since 2007, crediting this
progress to the resilience and advancement of Eswatini’s health system.
“These are milestones to celebrate, but
also a call to build on the momentum, especially as the world faces widening
inequalities and a slowdown in development progress,” he said.
The global Human Development Report,
themed ‘A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI’, was
launched on May 6 in Brussels.
Franklin remarked that the report arrived
at a pivotal moment in the global development journey.
“This year’s report underscores the idea
that the essence of development lies in the freedom to make meaningful choices
, to live a healthy life, to access quality education, to participate in
society and to pursue dignified opportunities,” he said.
To read more of this report, click
here
https://www.pressreader.com/eswatini/eswatini-observer-9ZB3/20250523/282256671411559
eSwatini
eyes A.I. for growth
United
Nations Development Programme, 22 May 2025
Two weeks after the global release of
the 2025 Human Development
Report (HDR), local stakeholders
gathered at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA), Kwaluseni Campus, to engage in
a national dialogue on the country’s human development trajectory and the
transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on society. The HDR is a
UNDP publication that focuses on measuring and understanding human development
in countries worldwide.
Convened under the leadership of the
Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, the event brought together
representatives from government, academia, the private sector, and youth.
Themed ”A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI,” the
2025 HDR emphasises that true development lies in expanding the freedom to
choose – to live healthy lives, to be educated, to participate meaningfully in
society, and to pursue opportunities that bring dignity and purpose.
The programme featured presentations and a
panel discussion that explored the intersection of human development and AI.
Participants reflected on how AI is reshaping education, healthcare,
employment, and governance.
Speaking at the event, UNDP Resident
Representative Mr. Henrik Franklin noted, “AI is transforming every aspect of
our societies – how we learn, work, govern, and interact. But, as UNDP
Administrator Achim Steiner rightly said, ‘It is people, not machines, who
determine which technologies thrive, how they are used, and whom they serve.’
The question before us is not simply what AI can do, but what choices we make
to ensure it serves human development, as we balance artificial intelligence
with emotional intelligence in our decision-making.”
The 2025 HDR outlines three key priorities
for leveraging AI to advance human development:
Building economies where humans and AI
collaborate, rather than compete.
Designing innovation with intent –
ensuring that opportunity and inclusion are embedded in AI systems.
Investing in capabilities that count,
particularly in education and healthcare, to ensure everyone can thrive in a
digital future.
To read more of this report, click
here
https://www.undp.org/eswatini/news/eswatini-eyes-ai-growth
WHO
Supports Bushfire live dialogues at UNESWA, focusing on mental health
challenges
World
Health Organization, 22 May 2025
In the vibrant heart of the University of
Eswatini, Kwaluseni campus, a lively community hall bustled with energy, ready
for the MTN Bushfire Live Dialogues. This platform brought together a diverse
mix of experts in HIV, GBV, and mental health, alongside young leaders, and
community members, all eager to shape conversations pivotal for their future.
Focusing on the health thematic area,
mental health, which profoundly affects youth, this session aimed to shed light
on the complex realities young Swazis face. The World Health Organization
(WHO), in collaboration with other UN agencies in Eswatini, has partnered with
Bushfire to leverage their extensive youth following, aiming to reach a broader
demographic. This strategic alliance has enabled WHO to get better insights
into the country’s mental health situation, which has seen a concerning rise in
suicide cases both at the university and national levels. In collaboration with
the Ministry of Health and UNESWA, WHO will organize a National mental health
indaba later in the year to better understand the challenges the youth and the
wider population face regarding mental well-being and come up with possible
multisector solutions.
As the panellists shared their insights
and students posed powerful questions, the room became a space for deep
reflection on gender inequity, HIV, gender-based violence, and mental health.
Moderator Ms. Mandisa Zwane from UNESCO
set the tone with a compelling opening. “Our country stands at a critical
crossroads,” she began. “High HIV infection rates among youth, alarming cases
of gender-based violence, and rising mental health challenges threaten our
future. These issues are interconnected as they feed into each other and demand
urgent, holistic action.”
Ms. Nomzamo Dlamini from the Deputy Prime
Minister’s Office, a passionate advocate for gender equality, nodded in
agreement. “Despite our efforts,” she said, “inequality persists. It fuels GBV,
discourages seeking healthcare, and keeps mental health issues shrouded in
stigma and silence.”
When the discussion turned to HIV, the
panel highlighted strategies for prevention and support. Dr. Bongani Masango
from NERCHA emphasized, “Prevention starts with education, youth-friendly
services, and accessible tools. But de-stigmatization is key, and if young
people feel safe to seek help, progress becomes possible.” He also pointed out
the challenge of intergenerational relationships, often leaving young people
vulnerable, especially when older partners exploit their trust or influence in
intimate matters.
The conversation then delved into GBV, a
crisis plaguing many communities. Ms. Nosipho Storer underscored, “Addressing
GBV requires education, strong legal responses, and community involvement. We
must challenge harmful cultural norms and actively include men and boys in
promoting respect.” She highlighted the importance of accessible services,
i.e., shelters, legal aid, counselling, and the need for these to be well-known
within communities. “Empowering communities starts with changing attitudes from
the ground up.”
As discussions deepened, mental health
emerged as a pressing concern. National focal point for mental health at the
Ministry of Health, Ms. Sindiso Bhembe, called for systemic change: “Integrating
mental health into primary healthcare, schools, and workplaces can help reduce
stigma and promote early intervention. We must boost community awareness
through campaigns and education.”
The interconnectedness of these issues was
unmistakable. Ms. Zwane explained, “Experiencing GBV can lead to mental health
issues and increase vulnerability to HIV as these problems reinforce each
other, creating a cycle that’s hard to break.” She stressed that only a
comprehensive, integrated approach, combining services, community outreach, and
youth participation, can truly be effective.
The young audience was actively engaged,
sharing their experiences and raising concerns. One young woman passionately
asked, “Even with awareness of HIV prevention, peer pressure and poverty put us
at risk. How do we fight that?” Dr. Bongani responded thoughtfully, “Empowering
youth economically and socially is vital as it helps reduce these
vulnerabilities.”
Another participant raised the challenge
of community norms and a lack of safe reporting spaces for GBV, emphasizing how
silence perpetuates the problem. Mental health also struck a chord, with a
young man asking why suicide and depression rates are climbing among peers. Ms.
Promise Dlamini from the Ministry of Health responded with compassion, “Creating
safe spaces, listening to young people’s struggles, and making mental health
services accessible can save lives.”
As the session drew to a close, the
panelists called for unity. Ms. Zwane summarized, “We can’t afford to address
these crises in isolation. Our strength lies in integrated strategies, working
together as communities, governments, and individuals. Only then can we build a
future where every young person can thrive free from violence, stigma, and despair.”
The room left inspired and reminded that
tackling these deep-rooted issues demands collective effort, compassion, and
unwavering resolve. Because the health and dignity of today’s youth shape the
destiny of our nation.
SWAZI
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