Mbabane, Eswatini – Eswatini’s Prime Minister, Russell Mmiso Dlamini, has made a passionate plea to the nation’s youth, urging them to become champions of respect, tolerance, and understanding.
The Prime Minister’s message came during the opening ceremony of a three-day Commonwealth Charter Youth Workshop. The event, hosted by The Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Eswatini Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, brought together over 40 young people from across the country.
While Prime Minister Dlamini himself was unable to attend, his message was delivered by Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta-Simelane. In his address, the Prime Minister highlighted the critical role of these values in achieving shared development goals within the Commonwealth. He expressed strong support for the workshop, emphasizing its potential to equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to become positive agents of change.
“The solutions to our country’s challenges will not come from just us 50 year olds,” the Prime Minister’s message conveyed. “The call to nation-building is for all of us.” He urged the young participants to seize this opportunity, using the platform to explore solutions and build a better future together.
The Prime Minister further emphasized the importance of rejecting negativity and misinformation. “Let us avoid drug abuse, crime, violence, and spreading misinformation,” he stated. “These things divide us and hinder our progress.” Instead, he encouraged the youth to embrace a spirit of unity and support, advocating for responsible information consumption and knowledge sharing.
Recognizing the inherent diversity within Eswatini’s population, the Prime Minister also stressed the importance of respecting individual choices and practicing tolerance. “We may share many similarities,” he acknowledged, “but we are also different. By respecting these differences and practicing tolerance, we can truly grow together.”
