Catholic Entity in Eswatini Lauds King's Speech on National Issues

Officials of the Catholic entity express their wish that 2024 “is a better year free from any form of violence in the country.”

“Measures must also be taken to prevent suicides in our country, by vehemently fighting the social evils that produces it,” they say.

On education, CPLO officials say they “deeply note the relevance of education in sustainable development goals.”

“There is a greater need to ensure that the children are able to get a good education to build a better future,” they say, and recall that the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini provides for free education for primary school. 

“We also note that partially, education support has been extended to high schools as government Orphans and Vulnerable Children,” they say.

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Regarding the plight of PWDs, CPLO officials say it is “encouraging”  to note that many of them are present in fields including carpentry, agriculture, accounting and  social work.

The government, they say, can however do more in supporting PWDs such as those at the homes for the elderly.

On employment, officials of the Catholic entity say, “There is a need to ensure job opportunities for people in rural areas to decrease poverty in the country.”

“Developing the agricultural sector would be one area in which the government should invest. To a greater extent, we appreciate the plan of tarring more roads, as this in itself would create more opportunities for people living in rural areas, in the process grow the economy,” they say. 

In the statement, CPLO officials call for “great efforts” in the Kingdom's health care sector.

“Every Liswati should have access to quality health care, as the Constitution provides for,” they say, and add, “We as the Catholic Church stand by all the people, in order that everyone gets equal medical treatment in the country.”

They say that while health services are improving in Eswatini, “there is a great effort needed from the government and investments are needed in order to guarantee every Liswati has good quality health care.”

In his speech, King Mswati announced, that Eswatini was one of the first ones "to meet the UNAIDS 2025 targets of 95-95-95", and that the nation’s life expectancy has risen from 45 to 63.5. 

CPLO officials said the announcement shows that the health services are improving in Eswatini.

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