The Government of Eswatini is putting people first to fix how public institutions work, with a new high-level workshop aimed at equipping senior leaders with the skills to lead, innovate and deliver.
The Ministry of Public Service this week hosted the Capacity Building and Staff Development Workshop facilitated by the Director General of the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute, Professor Peter Kiuluku.
Senior officials from government ministries, State-Owned Enterprises and the private sector attended.
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The focus was on how to build a public service that is professional, responsive and ready for the demands of a changing governance environment.
Professor Kiuluku told delegates that institutions are only as strong as the people who run them.
He stressed the need for continuous learning, executive development and ethical leadership if the government is to meet the evolving needs of citizens.
“Investing in people remains one of the most valuable investments governments can make,” Kiuluku said.
He further stated that capable and ethical leadership forms the foundation of efficient institutions, improved accountability and sustainable national development.
The workshop was not just about theory. Participants worked through practical strategies to develop future leaders, improve organisational performance and create a culture of continuous improvement.
Discussions centred on adapting to new technologies, rising citizen expectations and pressure to deliver better services faster.
The message was that public institutions must change or be left behind.
Officials also looked at how to strengthen collaboration with regional centres of excellence.
ESAMI, the Arusha-based institute, has been supporting leadership development and public sector reforms across Eastern and Southern Africa for years.
For Eswatini, that partnership is part of a bigger plan to adopt international best practices and raise the standard of governance.
The Ministry of Public Service said the initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of an efficient, responsive and citizen-centred public service.
“Our goal is to empower public servants through structured capacity-building that improves productivity, strengthens leadership and promotes excellence across government institutions,” a ministry official said.
He said the workshop comes as Eswatini pushes ahead with public sector reforms.
The government says leadership development and human capital will be critical to delivering quality services to emaSwati and supporting long-term socio-economic transformation.
The two-day engagement closed with participants pledging to champion professional development, ethical conduct and institutional excellence in their respective ministries and organisations.
