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MANZINI - Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology Principal Secretary (PS) Phesheya Dube extended his gratitude to the US Embassy.

The PS thanked the US for the great generosity and willingness to make a significant difference in ensuring that emaSwati had access to information by offering another publicly accessible information facility. “The Eswatini National Library Service under the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology enjoys a long standing relationship with the US, dating back to 1971 when this very library – Manzini Public Library- was established,” he said.

He further highlighted that the country had immensely benefitted from the mutual cooperation and understanding that exists between the two countries. Dube said among the many fruits reaped, the ELNS had been provided with professional library staff from the USA through the volunteer programme in the establishment of the Manzini Public Library. The PS added that there had been other several initiatives by the American Embassy including several donations to ENLS, and they were eternally grateful for the tremendous support.

Worth noting is that in Eswatini, the US Embassy partners with local organisations and individuals, including US programme alumni, to bring innovative programmes to the spaces. Over the past 10 years, the two American Corners recorded over 112 000 visits and offered more than 750 programmes that were attended by over 44 000 people. These programmes are free and open to the public. They emphasise shared values, covering topics such as entrepreneurship and innovation, civic participation, media literacy, as well as study in the US.