Mbabane – Education Minister Owen Nxumalo has announced that this year’s national Teachers’ Day celebration will be held on October 9, 2026, at The George Hotel in Manzini, with the ministry also unveiling a committee tasked with coordinating the event.
The minister said the celebration would see Eswatini officially join the global community in commemorating World Teachers’ Day through a national programme recognising excellence, innovation, leadership and service within the teaching profession. The official United Nations World Teachers’ Day is observed annually on October 5.
Leading the organising committee is Ntombifuthi P. Mhlongo as chairperson, deputised by Welcome Mhlanga. Lwandle Simelane will serve as secretary, while Victor Dlamini represents the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), Futhi Ngcobo represents the Eswatini Primary Schools Association (EPA), Sibusiso Masuku represents ECESWA, and Mbongeni Dlamini will serve as accountant. Other committee members are Baphelele Dlamini, Thandie Nkambule, Ayanda Shongwe and Mduduzi Dlamini.
Speaking during a media briefing, Nxumalo said the celebration would recognise teachers for their contribution to education and national development.
He said teachers remained the foundation of every profession, noting that every doctor, engineer, entrepreneur, scientist, farmer, public servant and leader had once been guided by a teacher.
The minister said with about 40 per cent of Eswatini’s population below the age of 18, teachers carried the responsibility of shaping the country’s future by nurturing learners’ knowledge, values, discipline and character.
Nxumalo said the National Development Plan identified human capital as the engine of national development, with teachers playing a central role in producing skilled, ethical and innovative citizens.
He added that the celebration was also aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education, while recognising the contribution teachers make towards other global development goals, including health, gender equality, decent work, reduced inequalities, climate action and peaceful societies.
As part of the celebration, outstanding teachers and school leaders will be recognised in categories including Subject Teaching, School Administration Leadership, School Administration Examinations, School Improvement, School Feeding, Extra-Curricular Activities, Early Childhood Care, Development and Education (ECCDE), Life Skills Education and Special Educational Needs.
The minister said members of the public would also have an opportunity to participate in selecting winners in the Sustainability and Community Building and Healthy Work Environment (Health and Wellness) categories.
Nxumalo invited the private sector, development partners, civil society organisations, teacher associations, communities and alumni to partner with the ministry through sponsorships and other forms of support to make the national celebration a success.
He said recognising teachers was an investment in the country’s future, adding that today’s learners would become tomorrow’s professionals, innovators and leaders.
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