Thursday, December 11, 2025 by Mthobisi Buthelezi

 

The festive season has arrived, bringing with it increased travel and heightened road risk. Addressing this urgent concern head-on, the Chairperson of the National Road Transport Council (NRTC) Sabelo Dlamini delivered a forceful address at the End-of-Year National Crime and Road Accident Prevention Campaign. The event held at Ngculwini Sports Ground, a crucial partnership between the NRTC, the Royal Eswatini Police Service and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, served as a unified call for immediate action on road safety and a commitment to transforming the public transport sector.

 Safety is not seasonal: Sectoral commitment

The chairperson’s speech emphasised the importance of road safety during the busy end-of-year period. However, the message was unequivocal: Safety is not seasonal. It is a daily pledge and a shared national responsibility. Central to the address was the launch of the Public Transport Festival Eswatini 2025. This national initiative, co-led by the NRTC, directly aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.6, which targets halving global road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. “This festival is more than a celebration, it is a strategic intervention,” the chairperson stated. “We are honouring public transport service providers, urging women to join the transport industry and ensuring that dignity and recognition are central to our progress.”

Elevating the sector through awards

The Public Transport Festival aims to uplift the entire sector by recognising excellence and stimulating growth. Through a robust awards programme, the festival celebrates:

• Lifetime achievers whose decades of service have shaped the sector
• Empowered women in transport who are breaking barriers and leading with distinction
• Safety champions who uphold the highest standards of professionalism
• Customer service and financial literacy advocates who model best practice

These are not simply accolades; they are tools of transformation, designed to inspire others and elevate the standards of public transport across Eswatini.

Roadshows mobilise communities for change

Beyond the formal recognition, the festival is actively engaging communities through dynamic regional roadshows. These mobile events blend education, entertainment and engagement, delivering vital road safety awareness directly to citizens.

The roadshows serve as a dynamic platform for:

• Training operators and marshals in vehicle management and customer service
• Distributing educational materials on road safety and crime prevention
• Creating a space for dialogue between transport stakeholders and the public

These mobile campaigns have already reached numerous regions, galvanising the enthusiastic participation of youth groups, traditional leaders and local government representatives.

Festival of collaboration

The campaign launch was energised by performances from the police band, cultural troupes and the warmth of community involvement. The chairperson extended sincere appreciation to the diverse stakeholders, whose presence amplified the importance of the day:

• Media houses who are instrumental in amplifying the message of safety and recognition.
• Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund (SMVAF) for their unwavering support in prevention and response.
• The prime minister and his delegates who reinforced the national commitment to safer roads.
• Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) for their leadership and dedication to public safety.
• Private sector partners whose innovation and investment drive transformation.
• The public, whose active participation ensures that campaigns translate into lived change.
• Their attendance was a powerful testament to shared responsibility and collective will.

“Road safety is not seasonal, it is a daily commitment,” the chairperson concluded. “Let us continue to walk together, drive responsibly and protect the lives of those we serve.”

…. Public Transport Festival nominations close with Over 1 500 entries: Voting opened

The Public Transport Festival Eswatini 2025 has officially closed its nomination phase, marking a major milestone in the national celebration of excellence, safety and innovation in the transport sector. Following a successful series of activations across all four regions Shiselweni, Lubombo, Hhohho and Manzini the festival has recorded over 1 500 verified entries across all categories. The nomination drive, which ran from mid-September to early October, saw unprecedented participation from drivers, marshals, conductors, and transport companies. Categories include:

• Driver of the Year
• Safety Excellence
• Customer Service
• Lifetime Achievement
• Public Transport Company of the Year
• Popular Public Transport Personality

Empowered Woman in Transport

Roadshows take spotlight

With nominations closed, the spotlight shifts to the voting phase, which officially opened before our first roadshow at Siphofaneni on the November 28, 2025, via the MojaTicket platform. Voters will be able to scan QR codes at taxi ranks, use USSD CODE, vote online and participate in regional outreach campaigns. To encourage public participation, the festival has launched a ‘Vote & Win’ competition, offering exciting prizes to randomly selected voters. These include:

• Tablets 
• Store vouchers worth E2 000 
• Data bundles 
• An air flight ticket for one lucky winner 

... and more surprise giveaways

Winners will be announced during the festival roadshows, across all regions. These activations will feature live broadcasts, entertainment, voter education and community engagement.