MALKERNS – The European Union marked #EuropeDay 2025 on 9 May with a lively celebration in Malkerns, attended by a wide array of guests including Prince Guduza, who represented His Majesty King Mswati III, Deputy Prime Minister Thuli Dladla, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, diplomats, and civil society representatives.
The event formed part of a broader Team Europe effort, with French Ambassador Yann Pradeau—accredited to Eswatini but based in Mozambique—also in attendance.
EU Ambassador to Eswatini, Karsten Mecklenburg, said the day commemorated 75 years since the European Union’s founding on 9 May 1950, in the aftermath of World War II. He described the EU as a peace initiative that has grown into a key global player advancing unity, stability, and economic growth.
Mecklenburg stated that the EU continues to uphold values such as solidarity, democracy, and international cooperation, working closely with nations like Eswatini to promote dialogue, prosperity, and mutual respect.
He also spoke about the EU’s extensive partnership with Eswatini, which spans over 50 years and has seen billions of Emalangeni invested in the country’s development. Key areas of support include clean water supply, electricity access, free primary education, healthcare, climate-smart agriculture, infrastructure, governance, and trade facilitation.
According to the Ambassador, the EU’s impact is visible across the Kingdom—from functioning bridges and active classrooms to farmers harvesting more efficiently and entrepreneurs exploring new markets. He mentioned a recent conversation with His Majesty, who shared feedback from rural communities acknowledging the impact of EU-funded initiatives.
Representing the King, Prince Guduza thanked the EU for championing peace and development.
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