Skip to main content

PUBLIC ENTERPRISES DECLINE CONTINUES AS BUDGET FAILS TO PROVIDE RESCUE PLAN

                                                                    

Finance Minister Neal Rikjernberg delivering the 2024/25 budget in the Eswatini Parliament at Lobamba (picture sourced from Eswatini Government social media platforms)

In recent times one of the most topical news has been the never ending financial sagas faced by public service institutions such as the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) ,the Southern African Nazarene University (SANU) the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital (Nazarene)  and several others.  UNESWA also faces a collapsing infrastructure from years of neglect due to unavailability of funds to repair and maintain the infrastructure.

The budget as read by Minister Neal Rikjernberg on the 26th February 2024 totalling E29.42 Billion didn't provide any iota of better prospects for the public institutions. The budget represented  an increase of 11% from the 2023/2024 budget that was placed at E26.7 Billion. This amount includes around E4.42 Billion in public debt repayments. 

From the 2024/25 budget UNESWA was awarded E456 312 806 an increase of E10 Million from the 2023/24 budget where they were awarded stood at E446 312 806. The SANU on the other hand were awarded E33 630 318 in the 2024/25 budget which represented an increase of just above E5million from E28 209 094 that had been awarded in the 2023/24 budget. The RFM hospital ,another suffering public institutions ,was awarded E219 237 951 and increase from E211 237 951.

The budget instead provided an unprecedented E6.5 Billion towards capital or infrastructure projects a large portion of which is expected to be poured into the International Convention Centre in Ezulwini.

All these budgeted figures are an indication that perhaps it can be expected that challenges will continue in the public institutions.

More reports are coming from the budget.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

SIKELELA NGWENYA MAKES A COMEBACK AS PRESIDENT OF NAWUSHI

Sikelela Ngwenya makes a comeback as President of NAWUSHI  Picture: Newly elected President of NAWUSHI Comrade Sikelela Ngwenya (Picture courtesy of Comrade Sikelela on Facebook) Written by Fundizwi Sikhondze Comrade Sikelela Ngwenya has made a comeback as the president of the National Workers Union in Swaziland Higher Institutions (NAWUSHI). This after getting elected to the position at their 1st quadrennial conference that took place at eSibayeni lodge in Matsapha on the 24th and 25th March 2022. To win the position comrade Sikelela beat off a stiff challenge  from Comrade Simon Dlamini from the Sebenta National Institute branch of NAWUSHI.  Comrade Sikelela is one of two  leaders of the previous NEC that were re-elected into the new NEC in the conference. The other NEC member that made it back is comrade Mpendulo Mkhonta  and he retained the position of Vice Treasurer. It is worth noting that Comrade Sikelela had previously served in the same position of...

70 individuals appointed into Emabandla at a high cost to the fiscus

  Eswatini Attorney General Sifiso Khumalo (online picture) King Mswati III the Head of State of Eswatini on Saturday issued a directive through the Attorney General Sifiso Khumalo appointing around 70 individuals into several national committees, also known as Emabandla. The appointments come more than a month after the term of office of the previous Emabandla’s term of office came to an end and their term in office was extended indefinitely by the King through a gazette issued by the Attorney General. The several Emabandla announced are as follows, Board of Trustees (7), the Minerals Management Board (7) , Ludzidzini Council (20), Civil Service Commission (5) , Liqoqo Council (20), the Land Management Board (5) and the Teaching Service Commission (5). The National Chief Defence Officer was also announced. The newly appointed Board of Trustees members are as follows: Neal Rikjernberg (Finance Minister and Chairperson), Princess Tiyandza, Chief Ndabankulu Simelane, Chief Mgwagw...

PRE FINAL SALARY REVIEW REPORT RELEASED TO PSUs

  Pictured Above: Ministry of Public Service and Administration Principal Secretary Mthunzi Shabangu (L) receiving the Pre Final Salary Review and Jobs Grading report from Emergency Growth/Umelusi Consulting's Siphephiso Dlamini (R). Picture credit: SNAT Platform. Written by Fundizwi Sikhondze The pre final draft report of the public service Salary Review and Jobs Grading report was released to the participants of Joint Negotiations Forum on Tuesday 9 th September 2025 by the consultancy team, a partnership comprising of Emergency Growth and Umalusi Consultancy. The report was symbolically delivered to the leader of the government negotiations team and Principal Secretary to the Ministry of Public Service and Administration, Mthunzi Shabangu. The Public Sector Unions, namely, National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU),the Swaziland National Government Accountants Personnel (SNAGAP), Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) and the Swaziland Democratic ...