By Ncaba Ntshakala
A potential crisis at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) was averted on Friday as lecturers received their delayed salaries, just days before the scheduled start of examinations.
This development comes after the Association of Lecturers, Academic and Administrative Personnel (ALAAP) threatened to down tools, jeopardizing the examination and academic calendar.
As reported in our sister publication, the Eswatini Financial Times on Saturday, ALAAP members had grown increasingly frustrated by the university’s financial woes and delayed salary payments. T
his frustration culminated in an extraordinary meeting on Friday, where the association issued a series of demands, including immediate payment of salaries, failing which they threatened to disrupt upcoming examinations.
Faced with this potential disruption, UNESWA management scrambled to resolve the issue. Fortunately, their efforts proved successful, and lecturers received their salaries on Saturday.
Dr. Salebona Simelane, UNESWA Registrar, expressed his appreciation for the lecturers’ patience and apologized for the inconvenience caused by the delay.
“We understand the frustration of our staff,” Dr. Simelane said. “We sought forgiveness from them and assured them that examinations will continue as planned. The institution is ready, and everything has been prepared for the smooth running of exams.”
Ngcebo Hlophe, a seasoned educator when contacted applauded the UNESWA management’s swift response to the issues.
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Hlophe said that the timely resolution ensures that thousands of students can proceed with their examinations without further disruption. However, the educator expressed that the incident highlights the ongoing financial challenges faced by UNESWA.
“This is high time UNESWA management seek a viable solution to end these woes,” Hlophe stated. “This will eventually impact the produce and have a long-term impact towards education in the country.”
The recent salary delay at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) is just the latest symptom of a deeper financial malaise that has plagued the institution for over a decade.
While the timely resolution of the immediate crisis is commendable, Hlophe said that it’s crucial to acknowledge the long-standing financial challenges that continue to cast a shadow over UNESWA’s operations.
Since 2008, the university has grappled with a widening budget deficit, struggling to sustain itself even with the government’s annual subvention of over E400 million and student tuition fees.
This chronic shortfall has resulted in delayed payments, infrastructure deterioration, and resource limitations, impacting both staff morale and the overall quality of education offered.
Some have expressed several factors which might have contributed to this financial strain. This includes rising operational costs, coupled with stagnant government funding and limited tuition fee adjustments, which have created a significant imbalance.
Additionally, the university’s dependence on government subventions leaves it vulnerable to fluctuations in national budgets and economic downturns.
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Also, mismanagement has been highlighted as another issue. ALAAP following two joint correspondences (dated March 30, 2023 and June 5, 2023) to the University Council requested a vote of no confidence on the entire Management of the university, citing that the current Management was given seven calendar days to resign en masse, further expressing that failing which, ALAAP members will not continue with teaching and learning activities under the current Management.
The University of Eswatini (UNESWA) is the only national university of the Kingdom of Eswatini. It was established by act of Parliament in 1982.
The university developed from the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, formerly known as the University of Basutoland, Bechuanaland and Swaziland, which was established in 1964.
It has a current enrolment of 7,478 students with 55 Undergraduate Programmes and 25 Postgraduate Programmes.
