The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) has launched its nationwide Bafundzise campaign aimed at improving tax and customs compliance among businesses. The initiative, which was officially introduced in Ezulwini, seeks to directly engage businesses, offering essential educational support to help them meet their tax obligations.
Brightwell Nkambule, the Commissioner General of ERS, addressed attendees, including municipal representatives and ERS colleagues, during the launch, emphasizing the importance of taxpayer education in achieving the vision of 100% voluntary compliance across the country. “We are shifting from coercive to persuasive measures, ensuring businesses understand the importance of tax compliance and how it benefits the Kingdom,” he said.
The Bafundzise campaign represents a new chapter in ERS’s efforts to educate businesses about their tax responsibilities. Previously, ERS engaged businesses through social media and in-person training sessions, but the new door-to-door approach is designed to reach those unable to attend previous sessions. By bringing tax education directly to the businesses, ERS aims to address gaps in understanding and ensure no business is left behind.
Nkambule noted that the campaign is not just about providing information but about empowering businesses with the tools and knowledge needed for compliance. A team of ERS officers, identifiable by their branded uniforms and official IDs, will visit businesses across the country. Their role is to explain tax and customs requirements, introduce simplified systems like the Presumptive Tax system, and assist businesses in navigating the path to regional and global markets.
The campaign’s first phase focuses on Eswatini’s major business hubs—Manzini, Matsapha, and Mbabane—before expanding to other towns. Since its launch earlier this week, ERS has already engaged with 182 businesses, discovering key insights into common misconceptions. For instance, many small businesses did not realize that tax registration is not only for large enterprises, and many were unaware of the Presumptive Tax system. These findings reflect the widespread need for educational outreach, especially among SMEs.
Looking ahead, Nkambule outlined plans to extend the campaign to other areas, including Piggs Peak, Siteki, and Nhlangano, with the support of regional administrators and municipal leaders. The year-long Bafundzise initiative is part of a broader ERS effort to promote voluntary compliance and build a culture of tax awareness across the country.
Nkambule also encouraged businesses to welcome ERS teams, engage with the process, and view compliance as an essential step toward growth and national development.
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