On Friday, 4 July 2025, the Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre (ESEPARC) hosted a meaningful staff wellness and team-building session at the Sibebe Resort, under the theme: “Building a Stronger Future Together.” The day offered a refreshing shift from routine, providing space for staff to reconnect, reflect, and re-energise outside the office environment.
At ESEPARC, staff wellness is part of fostering an accountable, innovative, and collaborative work culture. The team-building session was not simply a pause from the usual workload, but a purposeful initiative to build stronger interpersonal connections, encourage open dialogue, and support a work environment where trust, shared responsibility, and reciprocal relationships can thrive.
The day started off with warm welcoming remarks from Dr. Thabo Sacolo, Executive Director of ESEPARC, who highlighted the value of engaging with one another outside the office.
“This is also part of the work,” he said, “It’s how we strengthen the bonds that help us deliver better results back at the desk.” He reminded the team that collaboration, mentorship, and mutual respect are essential not only to delivering quality outputs, but also to building a culture where people are supported and challenged to grow.
ESEPARC engaged Evolving Heads Corporate Consultants to train the team on the human dynamics that drive successful teams. The training included a session facilitated by Siphiwo Nyoni, who, drawing from real-life experiences and her work in organizational development, educated the team on the importance of active listening, valuing every team member’s input, communicating with kindness, and owning one’s role within a larger mission. She highlighted how small workplace habits, such as arriving late or dismissing ideas, can gradually undermine team cohesion. Additionally, she encouraged staff to foster an environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth.
Quoting Henry Ford, she left the team with a powerful reminder: “Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is success.”
Why Staff Wellness Matters at ESEPARC
At ESEPARC, wellness is not a once-off event, it is part of a long-term approach to building a resilient, agile, and people-driven institution. The organisation recognises that sustainable results come not only from skill, but also from trust, shared purpose, and a healthy work culture.
This team-building day served as a reminder that every staff member, regardless of level, has a role to play in creating an environment where collaboration thrives. When people are supported, respected, and engaged, they are empowered to do their best work.
In his closing reflections, Dr. Sacolo encouraged the team to be intentional about mentoring one another, honouring deadlines, and investing in the strength of the group, not just the individual.
“Someone once believed in us even when we were still learning,” he said, “Now it’s our turn to invest in each other and keep building together.”
