Minister applauds Macmillan’s role in advancing Eswatini’s education
By Thokozani Mazibuko
The Minister of Education and Training, Owen Nxumalo, has hailed Macmillan Education Eswatini as a key partner in the country’s journey toward delivering quality and culturally relevant education, describing the company’s contributions as a cornerstone of Eswatini’s educational transformation.
The Minister made these remarks on Monday during his official visit to Macmillan Publishers’ premises in Matsapha, where he met with management and staff to assess the company’s ongoing collaboration with the Ministry in supporting curriculum development, textbook production, and digital learning initiatives.
“It is a great honour to be here today on this official visit to Macmillan Education Eswatini, a valued partner in our national journey to deliver quality education to all Emaswati,” Nxumalo said.
“This visit is not only an opportunity to engage with our longest-standing partners but also to reflect on the impact of our shared efforts and look towards the future with renewed courage.”
Education and Industry: A partnership for National growth
Nxumalo noted that Macmillan’s location in Matsapha Eswatini’s industrial hub symbolized the interconnection between education and economic development. He commended the company for not only producing high-quality educational materials but also contributing to the local economy by supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs.
“I was pleased to learn that, over and above providing quality educational materials, the company supports local entrepreneurs by procuring from them and ensuring they are paid before their due invoice dates,” the Minister highlighted.
“By publishing high-quality educational resources, Macmillan has helped develop a skilled workforce and seasoned entrepreneurs.
This contribution has supported the rise of enterprises that depend on a literate and capable population, showing how education and industry can work hand in hand to drive national progress.”
A transformative partnership rooted in history
Reflecting on the history of Eswatini’s education system, Nxumalo celebrated what he termed one of the most “transformative partnerships in the history of education” the collaboration between the Government of Eswatini and Macmillan Publishers.
He traced the roots of this partnership back to the mid-1970s, when the Government made a bold decision to end reliance on imported textbooks from apartheid-era South Africa and instead develop materials that reflected Eswatini’s values, language, and aspirations.
“Before 1978, all primary school textbooks used in Eswatini were imported from South Africa, reflecting the apartheid-era Bantu Education system a system foreign to our values, our culture, and our aspirations as an independent nation,” Nxumalo explained.
Between 1974 and 1977, with support from the World Bank, USAID, and universities in the United States, up to 40 Swati curriculum specialists were trained to design and develop Eswatini’s first national curriculum.
The result was the establishment of the Primary Curriculum Unit, now known as the National Curriculum Centre (NCC) in Manzini.
“By 1977, the NCC had successfully developed the first textbooks for Grades 1 and 2 in English, Mathematics, SiSwati, and Science. This was a defining moment the birth of an education system built by emaSwati, for emaSwati,” the Minister said proudly.
Nxumalo lauded the role of His late Majesty King Sobhuza II in facilitating a groundbreaking partnership between the Government and Macmillan one that was later recognized globally as a model public–private partnership for developing nations.
Under His Majesty’s visionary leadership, Macmillan’s Southern African headquarters were relocated from Johannesburg to Matsapha, establishing Macmillan BOLESWA Publishers and the Macmillan Swaziland National Publishing Company (MSNP).
This collaboration produced not only textbooks but an entire ecosystem of educational publishing that empowered local authors, illustrators, and curriculum experts.
“Importantly, all textbooks used in our primary schools today are written and developed by Eswatini’s own curriculum designers,” Nxumalo emphasized.
Driving digital transformation
The Minister also praised Macmillan for embracing innovation by supporting the Ministry’s blended learning project, which utilizes the company’s digital platform to deliver 21st Century teaching and learning.
The pilot project began in 2022 with two public schools and a cohort of Grade 4 learners, who are now part of a digital learning transformation that is expected to expand nationwide in the coming years.
Nxumalo said the Ministry remains committed to building on this legacy as the country transitions toward Competency-Based Education and digital learning models.
He encouraged Macmillan and other publishers to continue playing an active role in shaping the next phase of educational reform.
“The future of this nation is great, especially as we work together to deliver the most prized asset that any nation can possess a well-educated and empowered generation,” he said.
“As we navigate the realities of a rapidly changing world, His Majesty’s Government will continue to seek out innovative ideas from publishers such as Macmillan. Your creativity and strategic foresight are essential in preparing our learners for the future.”
Nxumalo concluded by expressing deep appreciation to Macmillan Education Eswatini for its unwavering support and investment in the country’s education system.
“Let me express our deepest appreciation to Macmillan Education Eswatini for its dedication to the development of our nation. May this partnership continue to flourish,” he said.
