Play Replay Close highlight Stop listening ENGLISH MBABANE — Eswatini’s bustling towns Nhlangano Town Council and Matsapha Town Board will clash in a compelling semi-final at the SAIMSA Games 2026. In the football tournament, both sides must now eliminate one another after securing dramatic berths in the last four of the ongoing games. Matsapha advanced earlier on Thursday after defeating the Municipal Council of Manzini in a sudden-death penalty shoot-out following a goalless draw in regulation time at the Prince of Wales Sports Ground in Mbabane. Manzini Wanderers goalkeeper Simiso Mabuza emerged as the hero for Matsapha, who finished as runners-up at the Southern Africa Inter-Municipal Sports Association (SAIMSA) Games in Lesotho last year. After both teams converted their opening five spot-kicks, Mabuza turned defender of the moment, denying Manzini’s Nhlanhla Tsela with the sixth penalty to secure victory. Manzini’s lineup had featured veteran Wanderers defender Sihle ‘Mbhalaza’ Mkhonta. Meanwhile,...

Play Replay Close highlight Stop listening ENGLISH MBABANE – At least 12 government digital services and platforms have been disrupted following an incident affecting the National Data Centre. The Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) has confirmed that the National Data Centre has been affected by an incident, with engineers and experts from external service providers working around the clock to restore the disrupted services. The incident has affected several government digital platforms, including the Government in Your Hand application, e-Visa, company registration, the government website, the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) and the Elderly Grant Application and Payment system. However, RSTP has not confirmed allegations circulating on social media that the National Data Centre was hacked or that alleged attackers are demanding a ransom. RSTP Communications Officer Senzo Malaza said the organisation is dealing with the incident and has brought in external expertise to assist its engineers. “The...

Play Replay Close highlight Stop listening ENGLISH NEW YORK, USA – His Majesty King Mswati III had courtesy meeting with United Nation’s Secretary General Antonio Gutteres before he addressed the 81st Session of the United Nation’s General Assembly yesterday. The King is attending the 81st Session of UNGA under the theme Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all”. He is accompanied by Inkhosikati LaNgangaza, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Pholile Shakantu, Eswatini Ambassador to the UN Thami Dlamini. The King appealed to the outgoing UN Secretary General for the kingdom’s support in its efforts to advance the Sustainable Development Goals targets in a financially constrained environment. His Majesty the King further highlighted the importance of the UN cooperation with the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) as the Kingdom currently chairs the Organ for Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, otherwise known as Organ Troika. The theme...

Play Replay Close highlight Stop listening ENGLISH MBABANE – South Africa’s Under-20 side defeated their Eswatini counterparts 2-0 to dash their hopes of a maiden continental appearance. The encounter took place during the TotalEnergies Confederation of African Football (CAF) Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers for the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) zone played yesterday at the ABB 1 Stadium in Mozambique. Dominic Kunene’s charges were desperate for maximum points to ignite their campaign to reach the knockout stages of the regional youth tournament. The nation’s last appearance in the advanced stages dates back 24 years when they progressed by default following Madagascar’s withdrawal before suffering a heavy 7-1 defeat against South African hosts in the knockout rounds. Amajita who sealed their qualification to the knockout stage scored both goals in the first half and were twice denied penalties by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the second...

Play Replay Close highlight Stop listening ENGLISH NEW YORK, USA – Foreign affairs and International Cooperation Minister Pholile Shakantu on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly here signed a diplomatic declaration with the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta. The minister signed alongside the organisation’s Grand Counsellor His Excellency Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, Grand Chancellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Declaration expresses the parties’ desire to develop and strengthen collaboration and friendship for mutual benefit. It also provides a basis for advancing reciprocal understanding, cooperation and for developing fruitful relations between the two parties. It reflects the shared interest of Eswatini and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in strengthening engagement and identifying areas of mutual benefit. Minister Shakantu said government views the strengthening of international partnerships as an important component of its foreign policy...

Play Replay Close highlight Stop listening ENGLISH MBABANE – The Kingdom of Eswatini is experiencing a remarkable wave of international acclaim, anchored by stellar Gospel music nominations that continue to place the nation on the continental map. Prominent local worship leader Sphiwo Ndoni has officially been nominated for Best of Africa Male Artist at the prestigious Crown Gospel Music Awards, marking another monumental chapter for the artist. With six successful albums and powerful anthems like ‘Tive Temhlaba’ to his name, Ndoni’s unique sound and his vision behind the Mount Zion Experience have firmly established his footprint both locally and across borders. Last year Ndoni performed live at the Crown Gospel Music Awards held at the Durban ICC in South Africa. Founded nearly 20 years ago by the late visionary Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule, the Crown Gospel Music Awards serve as the ultimate benchmark of success and spiritual celebration for faith-based artists throughout...

Play Replay Close highlight Stop listening ENGLISH MBABANE – South African businessman Ally Kgomongwe-backed side Amawele unveiled former Green Mamba gaffer Bongani Mhlongo as their new Head Coach. Mhlongo was introduced to the players during their training session at St Mark’s Primary School Sports Ground outside Mbabane on Tuesday afternoon and immediately started drilling the Msunduza-based side in preparation for their second league game against Mbabane Highlanders AM. He takes over from Mpumelelo Ngwenya and his technical team, who were shown the exit door after just one MTN Premier League match, following a 3-0 defeat against Ezulwini United at KaLanga Technical Centre on Sunday, which prompted the club to make sweeping changes to its technical structure. The decision was confirmed by Amawele Public Relations Officer (PRO) David ‘VAR’ Ndwandwe on national radio before the club formally announced the departure in a statement issued on Monday. Speaking during the introduction of...

Play Replay Close highlight Stop listening ENGLISH EZULWINI – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini says the current parliamentary proceedings do not meet the standard of legislative debate. The PM criticised the parliamentary proceedings, saying what is called debate in Parliament is not actually what is expected of legislators. He said, instead, legislators shout and make personal attacks that do not constitute genuine legislative debate. The PM made these allegations during the Kingdom Leadership and National Transformation meeting at the Happy Valley Hotel yesterday. The meeting was hosted by Campus Crusade for Christ Eswatini. During the engagement, the PM expressed strong disapproval of the current conduct within Parliament. He noted that lawmakers often mistake noise and hostility for constructive dialogue. “Even what we call debate in Parliament is not a debate. We just rise, shout, make noise, insult, attack personalities and we call that a debate. It’s not a debate,” he ...