Africa-Press – Eswatini. Times of Eswatini Deputy Weekend Editor Welcome Dlamini will battle it out against police officer Lucky Dube for the position of MP in the secondary elections.
He might also face competition from former Mbabane Swallows goalkeeper Sandile ‘Nkomishi’ Ginindza. This is based on the results of the primary elections held on Saturday and those recorded during the special voting. Votes cast by inmates are yet to be included in the results. The seasoned journalist, who is the president of the Eswatini National Association of Journalists (ENAJ), emerged victorious when he amassed a total of 930 votes from three polling stations, which were Mqolo Primary School, KaBoyce High School and Msunduza Hall, under the Mbabane East Inkhundla. For the better part of Saturday, Dlamini was seated inside the polling station at Msunduza Hall and would now and again engage with some of his supporters.
Results
Despite that he did not stay for the counting exercise, which started just after 9pm, most of his supporters braved the chilly weather and waited outside to hear the final results. It was at around 3am yesterday when the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) officers concluded the counting exercise and formally presented the results to the nominated candidates. As expected, scenes of jubilation filled the KaBoyce Polling Station as Dlamini’s supporters could not contain their excitement. They spent some minutes singing and dancing despite that it was dark and drizzling. Some went to the extent of dancing on top of cars while others knocked on the door of the polling station hoping to see their winner. It was not an easy stroll in the park for Dlamini as he faced stiff competition from businessman Sandile Vilakati, who proved to be another favourite among the voters. Vilakati proved his popularity when he amassed about 195 votes at the Mqolo Polling Station while Dlamini could only manage 73.
During the counting exercise at the KaBoyce, Vilakati kept his cool while awaiting the results from the Msunduza Hall Polling Station. Signs that he was going to have it tough became obvious when Dlamini amassed 568 votes at the KaBoyce Polling Station, while he received 318. Other candidates who competed under the MP category included Jabulani Nxumalo, Vusi Sibisi, Sanele Dlamini, David Dlamini, Paul Dlamini, Phetsile Jackson, Themba Makhanya and Nqobile Mavuso.
Development
Commenting on his victory, Welcome said: “I would like to appreciate the people of Msunduza, both young and old, for trusting me with their votes. It is not about me but about the community, constituency and, ultimately, the country’s development. One can only urge the entire Mbabane East constituents to also come out in numbers for the secondary elections. We are in this together.”
Meanwhile, despite being a favourite at Msunduza, Welcome will face tough competition from Dube. Currently holding the position of sergeant under the Crime Prevention Unit, Dube is said to be the people’s choice around Fonteyn area, where he has for years been involved in development initiatives. During the elections, he competed against three other candidates and these were Zakhele Dlamini, Delisa Kunene and former Municipal Council of Mbabane Mayor Sikhatsi Dlamini. To seal his victory and proceed to the secondary stage of the general elections, Dube amassed 346 votes from three polling stations, while the former mayor could only manage 228. Commenting on his victory, he said he believed that the residents of Fonteyn voted for him because he was part of them. “I was born in Fonteyn, grew up there and have done my part in terms of contributing to local community development. I have worked with the people for years and I think that is why they voted for me,” Dube said.
Besides being a police officer, Dube is known in the football circles, where he is part of the Eswatini Women’s Football Association Executive. Both Welcome and Dube will have to up their game as their competitor, Ginindza, is seemingly backed by a lot of residents who registered to vote under the Sidwashini Umphakatsi. The results of the primary elections reflect that Ginindza amassed 238 votes and was closely followed by Pastor Celani Mhlanga, who received 231 votes in total.
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