Africa-Press – Eswatini. With two days remaining for job applications to be hand-delivered to various fire stations, many job seekers grappled to meet the deadline yesterday.
They were applying for the trainee firefighter vacancies advertised by the Civil Service Commission (CSC). Hundreds of emaSwati aspiring firefighters yesterday queued at the Mbabane Police Station to certify their documents before finalising the applications. Some travelled over 90 kilometres just to be able to certify their documents and hand- deliver them to the Mbabane Fire Station. *Jabulani Mlotjwa (29) said, “Since I live at Nkwene, I had to wake up at 4am and walk quite a distance to catch public transport to Mbabane to hand-deliver my application. I hope I will get this job as I am currently unemployed. I have a piggery business, which has not been sustainable for a while but I hope I will get the job as this will change my life for the better.” It was gathered from the applicants that some of them started queuing at the police station from as early as 6:30am, just so they could be the first in line.
Other applicants were also found waiting at the Mbabane Plaza Police Post, queuing to certify their documents. Mxolisi Nyawo from Mbangweni, said he applied for the job just so he could be able to pay for his tertiary fees as his dream was to become a lawyer one day. On the other hand, Thulisile Dlamini (20) from Sandla said she hoped she would be successful as she was unemployed. She shared that being a firefighter was not what she wished for but said it could improve her life. Most comments from social media alleged that the available vacancies were already filled and the applicants were merely wasting their time applying. “Bayatiwa bantfu labayosebenta lapha…loku sekutibulalisa nge makhata,” read the post.
Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security Makhosini Mndzawe said the private and public sector needed to work as a collective in ensuring that enough jobs were created countrywide. “We need to collectively do something to ensure that we create jobs as well and not entirely depend on government. Government’s responsibility is to also make the environment conducive for all,” he said. He also urged people to find ways of creating employment for themselves by capitalising on their skills to better their lives. Meanwhile, Economist Thembinkosi Dube said this was a result of lack of business confidence in the country. He mentioned that this was created by the fact that government did not pay its suppliers on time, which resulted in businesses not having the confidence to do business, which, in turn crippled the country’s economy. “If there can be money in the country, the economy can be lubricated, which can result in job creation. When it comes to paying her suppliers, it should be a norm to pay on time so that there can be money flow. This can allow businesses to expand and create more job opportunities,” he said.
Defaulted
He said the manner in which government defaulted on payments created a culture where businesses would be cautious on spending their money. Efforts to reach Luke Lushaba, the Chief Fire Officer at Eswatini Fire and Emergency Services, proved futile as his phone rang unanswered. To qualify for the job, one needs to hold authentic Form V, SGSE, IGCSE, G.C.E, O-Level and Matric certificates. Applicants are expected to be of good character and be a citizen of Eswatini, between 21 and 35 years of age. Successful applicants will earn a monthly salary of E7 777. 25 (Grade C1) rising to E8 753. 42.
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