His Majesty King Mswati III has announced plans to increase grants for the elderly in the 2025 fiscal year, emphasizing the country’s broader goals for national transformation. During the State Opening of the 2nd Session of the 12th Parliament in Lobamba, the King declared 2025 as the “year of transformation to the promised land,” highlighting priorities in healthcare, education, job creation, and youth empowerment.
The King emphasized the importance of supporting vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly and youth. He applauded government efforts to reunite neglected children with their families and promised additional support for the disadvantaged, including affordable housing plans in collaboration with the private sector.
“The grants for the elderly will be increased in the coming fiscal year to help them cope with the pressures of inflation,” the King said. He also called for measures to prevent the rise of slums and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing decent housing for all citizens.
The announcement follows recent positive developments in Eswatini, including an upgrade of the country’s credit rating by Moody’s and ongoing infrastructure projects, such as the Mpakeni Dam and road construction, aimed at boosting the economy.
King Mswati also noted the growing private sector, which has bolstered Eswatini’s economic performance, positioning the country as a leader in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Additionally, efforts to expand access to education are underway, with plans for institutions like the SADC University of Transformation, aimed at providing more opportunities for youth. In healthcare, the King reaffirmed the need for affordable services and expressed support for establishing a cancer treatment facility in the country.
