Matsapha – The Eswatini Institute of Accountants (ESIA) hosted its Annual Dinner and Graduation Ceremony at Esibayeni Lodge in Matsapha, an evening dedicated to celebrating excellence, honouring achievements, and officially welcoming new professionals into the accounting fraternity.
The event brought together senior leaders, families, and members of the profession under the theme “Bridging the Trust Deficit: The Role of Leaders in Rebuilding Public Confidence.” Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini and former Chief Justice of South Africa, Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, were among the distinguished guests.
Prime Minister Dlamini, delivering his address, called on accountants to uphold integrity, transparency and accountability, values he said were central to public trust and essential for the nation’s development. “As leaders in the accounting and auditing profession, you occupy a central role in our nation’s economic and social fabric. Your work underpins transparency, accountability, service and integrity. These are values that are the bedrock of public trust,” he said.
He added that His Majesty’s government has entrenched these principles in its programme of action and national transformation plan. He explained that the current administration is pursuing an inclusive exponential growth agenda, which requires the collective participation of economic players, including the accounting sector.
The Prime Minister encouraged graduates to register with ESIA to strengthen professional standards, before awarding certificates to the new accountants. He reminded them that their profession must remain a beacon of reliability, ensuring financial systems operate fairly and with precision, especially at a time when public trust in institutions is under strain.
Justice Mogoeng delivered a fiery keynote address, warning against corruption and stressing that ethical leadership is a matter of personal conviction. He declared to the audience, “My soul is not for sale.” He explained that his position was not open to compromise in exchange for money, power, praise or fame.
Quoting biblical principles, he asked, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” He said this statement captures the essence of ethical leadership. He elaborated that leadership is not simply a role that one plays but a life that one leads, adding: “Genuine leadership can never be separated from the essence of the leader as a person. In this way, an individual’s exercise of leadership is in effect self-manifestation. The leadership style you exhibit is therefore a true reflection of who you are.”
Justice Mogoeng, widely regarded as a global leadership expert, reminded the gathering that public confidence depends on leaders being principled and true to their values. His words struck a chord with many in the hall, which was filled with graduates, their families, and members of the accounting profession.
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