BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) has appealed to chiefdom elders across the country to be present during the ongoing army recruitment exercise to ensure that the process remains transparent, orderly, and aligned with traditional leadership structures.
The appeal was made by Brigadier General Sotsha Dlamini, who provided an update on the national recruitment campaign, which began on September 20, 2025, and is currently being rolled out in phases across different tinkhundla. Speaking during a media briefing following weekend recruitment activities, Dlamini said the process has so far unfolded as expected, with logistics, turnout, and assessments progressing smoothly except for minor challenges that were addressed on site.
He expressed particular satisfaction with the recruitment session held at Lomahasha Inkhundla on Saturday, November 1, where chiefdom elders from both Lomahasha and Shewula chiefdoms attended and monitored the proceedings. The presence of traditional leaders’ representatives is viewed as critical in reinforcing fairness, accountability, and cultural alignment in the selection process.
Earlier that same day, the UEDF conducted a morning recruitment session at Mhlume Inkhundla, followed by the Lomahasha session at 2 p.m. The next intake is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at Mpolonjeni Inkhundla (8 a.m.) and Dvokodvweni Inkhundla (2 p.m.), with additional constituencies (tinkhundla) to follow in the coming weeks until the national exercise is completed.
Dlamini also issued a strong advisory to all candidates who have already passed earlier stages of the recruitment. He stressed the importance of maintaining physical fitness, discipline, and responsible personal conduct while awaiting the next phase of screening.
“Those who have succeeded so far must continue to take care of themselves, no matter their gender,” he said. “The next stages will be more demanding, and they will only progress if they are healthy, disciplined, and mentally prepared.”
He particularly cautioned female candidates to avoid falling pregnant during this period, noting that pregnancy can disqualify a recruit from military training. He also warned male candidates against engaging in reckless behaviour that could lead to preventable illnesses, saying such actions could undermine years of preparation.
The recruitment, one of the largest in recent years, is expected to strengthen the country’s defence capacity while creating rare employment opportunities for young people, especially in rural areas.
