SADC University row: Princess Ncengencenge defends PM

Senator Princess Ncengencenge has stepped in to defend Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini amid a growing dispute with Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo over control of the delayed SADC University of Transformation project.

The intervention comes as tensions escalated this week, with Nxumalo publicly questioning the prime minister’s office authority over the project during his appearance before the ministry of education Senate portfolio committee, where he maintained that the project should fall under his ministry, arguing that it is both legally mandated and institutionally equipped to oversee higher education.

“We are and have been ready to deal with the issue of the SADC University, but it should come back to the rightful ministry,” Nxumalo said.

The stand-off has been compounded by a decision of the House of Assembly Finance Committee to remove an E8.75 million allocation earmarked for the university’s design and construction, effectively freezing progress on a project currently under the prime minister’s office.

Chaired by Marwick Khumalo, the committee argued that under government’s assignment of responsibilities, the establishment of universities falls within the ministry of education and training. It called for clarity on the project’s institutional home before approving further funding.

Nxumalo reiterated before the Senate committee that the university is a regional SADC initiative, with the country’s role focused on coordination, alignment with national priorities, and ensuring access for local students. He added that the ministry had already appointed a SADC University coordinator in 2026 to support implementation planning.

However, Princess Ncengencenge struck a markedly different tone, casting the PM’s involvement as necessary leadership, rather than institutional overreach.

Appearing before the PM’s Office Senate portfolio committee, she defended the takeover of the project as a corrective intervention following years of inaction.

She pointed to the project’s history, stating that despite being championed at the highest level for nearly a decade, little tangible progress had been made while it was under the ministry of education and training.

“Everybody in this country knows that His Majesty King Mswati III is the one who committed the country to this university, and for over 10 years nothing has been done while it was under the ministry of education and training,” she said.

She further warned that continued disputes over the project risk undermining the king’s vision.

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“Is Parliament telling us that this dream should not happen?” she asked.

The senator also placed the disagreement within a broader political context, expressing concern over what she described as a pattern of resistance to the PM’s actions.

“It is tough times in this nation, and everything the PM does seems to be disrespected,” she said.

In that context, she argued that the decision by the premier to assume control of the project and appoint a governing board should be viewed as a necessary step to unlock progress.

The board, appointed by the PM and chaired by Dr Simanga Tsela, has been tasked with operationalising the university. Its mandate includes establishing systems, infrastructure and partnerships, as well as developing curricula and securing accreditation pathways.

Princess Ncengencenge praised the board’s composition, describing its members as experienced and capable of delivering on the mandate.

“They are some of the best minds in this country and I am certain they will do a great job,” she said.

The prime minister has also defended his approach.

Appearing before the Senate committee, the premier argued that the decision to remove funding was based on misinformation and warned that it would stall progress at a critical stage.

“We are requesting that the money be brought back,” he said.

He maintained that the university cannot be treated as a project confined to a single ministry, but rather as a cross-cutting national initiative requiring coordination across multiple portfolios.

“This is not a project confined to a single ministry,” Princess Ncengencenge said, echoing this position, and arguing that a coordinated, cross-government approach places the prime minister’s office in the best position to oversee both implementation and financing.