His Majesty calls for more women in top ENFRES roles
By Thokozani Mazibuko
His Majesty King Mswati III has called for greater inclusion of women in leadership roles within the Eswatini National Fire, Emergency and Rescue Services (ENFRE), emphasizing that gender balance is key to strengthening the institution and enhancing service delivery.
The King made the remarks on Friday during the commemoration of the 25th National Fire Day, an annual event dedicated to recognizing the bravery and dedication of the Kingdom’s firefighters and promoting public safety awareness.
The colorful event was held at the ENFRE Training Academy in Matsapha, drawing hundreds of officers, government officials, and members of the public.
In his keynote address, His Majesty commended the progress made by ENFRE in transforming its operations, upgrading technology, and improving response times across the country.
However, he noted that the service still needed to open more doors for women to rise to decision-making positions.
“We have seen tremendous progress in the capabilities of our fire and rescue personnel, but there is a need to ensure that more women take up leadership positions,” His Majesty said.
“Women have proven to be dedicated, disciplined, and highly capable, and their presence in senior ranks will strengthen the service further.”
During the same ceremony, His Majesty officially confirmed the appointment of Mr. Luke T. Lushaba as the new Chief Fire Officer.
In his acceptance remarks, Lushaba expressed deep gratitude to the King and government for the trust bestowed upon him. He pledged to prioritize training, modernization, and the recruitment of more women into operational and managerial ranks.
“This appointment is both an honor and a responsibility,” Lushaba said. “We will continue working tirelessly to ensure that ENFRE remains a world-class institution — one that not only responds to emergencies but also empowers both men and women equally to serve the nation.”
His Majesty also took time to praise ENFRE officers for their growing skillset, noting that incidents of fires had dropped by 40 percent compared to 2024, a milestone he attributed to the department’s efficiency and public awareness efforts.
“I am impressed by your capabilities. You have transformed your bodies into human machines men and women who are ready to save lives in the most difficult situations,” His Majesty said.
“You have also demonstrated excellence in handling a variety of emergencies, from fires to snake rescues.”
The King’s remarks echoed the growing recognition of women within the service, as more female officers have been breaking barriers in recent years.
ENFRE currently counts several women in operational roles, including station officers, rescue specialists, and instructors.
Observers say His Majesty’s call could pave the way for a policy shift that ensures equal opportunities for female firefighters to advance into senior management positions — something long advocated for by gender equality organizations and civil society.
The National Fire Day celebration also featured live demonstrations of firefighting, rescue drills, and displays of advanced firefighting equipment.
Attendees were treated to exhibitions showcasing ENFRE’s technological upgrades, including new fire engines and protective gear.
The event concluded with His Majesty inspecting a parade of officers and presenting awards to outstanding firefighters who have shown exceptional bravery and service dedication.
As Eswatini marks a quarter century of celebrating its fire and rescue heroes, the day’s message was clear — the country’s firefighting future must be inclusive, modern, and resilient under the new leadership of Chief Fire Officer Luke T. Lushaba.