BY KWANELE TSABEDZE
MBABANE – “Dedicated to the promotion of quality local government.”
This is the overarching mission of the Local Authorities Managers Association of Swaziland (LAMAS, under which they are hosting their 2022 convention. The convention started today at Sibane Sami Hotel. It will last for three days, culminating in the LAMAS Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday November 4.
According to a statement by the Municipal Council of Mbabane on Facebook, members of LAMAS will be sharing best practices and discussing several issues such as Building Resilient and Liveable Cities, Employee Wellness, Community Engagement and Standardisation of Standing Orders among others.
The convention was officially launched by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development Prince Simelane, who was represented by Under Secretary (US) Hlobisile Dlamini and LAMAS President Gideon Mhlongo.
The minister’s remarks were full of gratitude, wherein he acknowledged improvements in the towns and cities of Eswatini to better the citizen’s experience, as well as the cooperation of municipalities in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic at its peak.
Speaking from the convention, Public Relations Officer (PRO) in the Municipal Council of Mbabane Lucky Tsabedze confirmed that the convention kicked off on a high note.
“All towns are here, as represented by their CEO’s and senior managers. We are deliberating on how we can deliver better services to emaSwati – that is what the convention is all about,” said Tsabedze.
Decisions made by the LAMAS affect all the towns in the country, as membership of the LAMAS consists of the Ezulwini Municipality, Pigg’s Peak Town Council, the Municipal Council of Mbabane, Matsapha Municipality, Nhlangano Town Council, Malkerns Town Board, and the Municipal Council of Manzini.
The Local Authorities Management Association of Swaziland (LAMAS) is a registered association formed by all established Urban Areas (Town Boards, City/Town Councils and Municipalities) in the Kingdom of Swaziland. LAMAS objectives include the promotion of quality of local governance by enhancing the managerial skills of persons in professional managerial posts, the research and development of the management sciences pertaining to local governance, and the maintenance of maintain an information Centre concerning local governance.
