The Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) has called on broadcasters to take greater responsibility in protecting and promoting the SiSwati language by ensuring consistency in terminology, pronunciation and grammar.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of ICT, Prince Mshishimba, said broadcasters had a significant influence on how SiSwati was spoken and understood across the country, making it critical for them to uphold accepted linguistic standards.
Mshishimba was speaking during a language workshop hosted by the Ministry of ICT in partnership with the SiSwati Language Board at SibaneSami Hotel on Tuesday. 
He said broadcasting should not be viewed merely as a source of entertainment, but as a powerful platform for education, cultural preservation and nation-building.
“Broadcasting is more than entertainment; it is a powerful instrument of education, cultural preservation, and nation-building,” said Prince Mshishimba.
He said the ministry had observed growing inconsistencies in the use of SiSwati across radio, television and other broadcasting platforms.
These included differences in terminology, pronunciation and grammatical usage.
According to Prince Mshishimba, such inconsistencies could have consequences beyond the broadcasting industry, as the language used on air often influences how people communicate in their homes, schools and communities.
He warned that the continued inconsistent use of SiSwati risked undermining the integrity of the language and, ultimately, the cultural identity associated with it.
“Language is not neutral. It shapes thought, influences values, and reflects who we are as a people,” he said.
Prince Mshishimba said broadcasters should therefore recognise that their responsibility extended beyond delivering news, entertainment and other programmes.
By using language on a daily basis, broadcasters also contribute to establishing linguistic norms within society.
“When broadcasters use SiSwati inconsistently, the ripple effects reach classrooms, homes, and communities.
Broadcasting, therefore, is not only about informing, but it is about setting norms,” he said.
He described the issue as both urgent and strategic, particularly because of the influential position occupied by broadcasters in society.
The workshop was designed to strengthen the linguistic skills of broadcasters and equip them with the confidence to use standardised SiSwati consistently in their professional environments.
He said the ministry, working together with the SiSwati Language Board, would use the workshop to explore practical linguistic tools, clarify language standards and strengthen broadcasters’ ability to maintain high standards in their programmes.
He urged participants to view the initiative as more than a compliance exercise, instead calling for a collective commitment towards preserving and strengthening the national language.
“I urge each of you to approach this workshop not as a compliance exercise, but as a shared mission,” Prince Mshishimba said.
He described broadcasters as “custodians of culture, ambassadors of language, and influencers of national identity,” emphasising the responsibility that comes with their ability to reach large audiences.
He said embracing standardised SiSwati would help ensure that the language remained vibrant, respected and relevant for future generations.
He further assured participants that the Ministry remained committed to supporting efforts aimed at improving linguistic standards in the broadcasting sector.
“The ministry stands ready to support you, and we trust that the outcomes of this workshop will echo across our airwaves, building a stronger, more unified voice for Eswatini,” he said.
The workshop therefore placed the role of broadcasters at the centre of efforts to strengthen SiSwati,
with the ministry stressing that preserving the language requires not only formal institutions such as the SiSwati Language Board, but also the daily commitment of those who use the language to communicate with the nation.
