Africa-Press – Eswatini. As the nation heads to the Cattle Byre (Sibaya) today following summons by His Majesty King Mswati III, King’s office Director of Communications, Percy Simelane, said the prime minister will be appointed at the end of Sibaya
This comes as a number of people said their expectations among other issues was that a new prime minister would be appointed
The nation will, however, have to wait as Simelane explained that Sibaya usually took a week and was concluded with the appointment of the prime minister.
He said Sibaya had been summoned in accordance with the Constitution as he explained that this was a chance for Emaswati to review issues that affect their well-being.
“The King has summoned Sibaya (people’s Parliament) in accordance with our Constitution. Normally, that is where the nation reviews the Tinkhundla System of Governance and raise socio – economic issues with a direct bearing on their well-being,” Simelane said.
“In short, I am not aware of any date for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) initiated dialogue but the Sibaya we normally have every five years, scheduled for tomorrow,” he added.
In 2018, when Sibaya was called the King asked the nation to give him a list of names suitable to become the prime minister and 25 names came up.
The 25 candidates were given an opportunity to present their ideas to the public and the public was, for the first time in history, also been given a chance to scrutinise their ideas and pose questions to them.
Among the candidates were; Dr Absalom Themba Dlamini, Lutfo Dlamini, Prince Senzangakhona, Cleopas Dlamini, Mbuso Dlamini, Mathendele Dlamini, Ambrose Dlamini; Manqoba Khumalo, Isaac Magagula, David Dlamini, Paul Dlamini, Allen Stewart; Christian Ntshangase, David Ngcamphalala, Lady Howard Mabuza; Jabulani Mabuza, Harries Bulunga, Pholile Shakantu, Makhosi Vilakati, Moses Vilkati, Thuli Dladla and Thandi Nxumalo. The late prime minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini was appointed by His Majesty on October 27.
Elections not
concluded – Alpheous
Government Spokesperson, Alpheous Nxumalo, says the nation should not pre-empt His Majesty the King on why he summoned the nation.
Nxumalo also stated that the national elections process had not been concluded. According to the government spokesperson, the elections were concluded when Senate, for instance, was fully constituted.
“As it were, it is public knowledge that Senate is not fully constituted yet. Elections are concluded when the prime minister and Cabinet are appointed. That’s the cycle that completes the national elections in the country,” said Nxumalo.
He said Emaswati had completed a certain aspect of the national election. “Elections are a whole package that completes the formation of a new government,” he said. Nxumalo further said Emabandla had not even been appointed as yet but all this did not mean that the King could not call Sibaya.
“Someone may also argue that Emabandla should also have been appointed. Does this mean His Majesty the King cannot command a dialogue to commence in earnest come today or any other day? Certainly not,” he said. Nxumalo emphasised that the nation should wait and find out what the King had to say.
“Let us wait until we get to hear what exactly the King has summoned the nation to Sibaya for. All speculations will cease when the King addresses the nation tomorrow. Otherwise, I refuse to be a member to any speculation party. By the time the sun sets tomorrow (today), we will definitely know,” he said.
What the nation expects
Although the agenda for Sibaya is never revealed, members of the public are already anticipating the announcement of the new prime minister, which usually happens around this time.
The nation’s excitement has been heightened as they eagerly wait to find out who the next prime minister would be or if the former PM, Cleopas Dlamini, would be retained.
The appointment of a new prime minister was what most people interviewed yesterday said they hoped would be addressed.
Other topical issues, which were common among those interviewed were the drugs shortage, which they said had gone for sometime without being addressed yet people were dying.
They also encouraged everyone to attend Sibaya because this was where His Majesty the King addressed the nation.
The consensus among people was that they would attend Sibiya to hear what His Majesty had to say.
Lydia Dlamini, who was found at the Mbabane market, said it was important that people attend Sibiya.
“Emaswati need to go there because it is a norm that when the King calls us then we heed to the call,” Dlamini said.
Her expectations were that a new prime minister would be appointed.
“I think the King will appoint the new prime minister and I will be there to witness it,” she said.
encourage
Simanga Khumalo, who was also found at the market, said she would have loved to attend Sibaya but would be hindered by her health.
“I would have loved to attend but unfortunately I am not well and can barely walk. I do encourage others to attend especially because transport has been provided. If I could walk, I would go,” she said.
Khumalo further said she had a feeling that the dialogue would be a smooth process.
“I have not heard a single hint that anyone is against Sibaya and as such believe that people are going to attend in their numbers unlike after the unrest.
Most of the time, one becomes sceptical about going because of the negative things that people say but looking at things now, I am positive that people will attend,” she said.
Themba Dludlu was concerned that very little changed after Sibaya.
“There have been forums like this in the past but nothing has changed in the much needed services in the country. For example, the education sector is not improving from what it was previously but instead the standard is dropping. In terms of health, there is no medication and in the past we had medication,” Dludlu said.
His expectation, however, was that a new prime minister would be appointed.
Taxi operators located around city centre shared the same sentiments as Dludlu, saying the nation always heed the summons but do not see what impact previous Sibaya had yielded.
Sifiso Gumbi said he could not say what was expected to happen but would love to hear what would be done to address the health crisis in the country.
“I think the most important thing that is affecting us all is the lack of medicines in hospitals and I hope this will be addressed at least,” he said.
Social media users listed a number of expectations, which include the appointment of a new prime minister, cost of living adjustment, and the health crises engulfing the country.
One user said she hoped that the cost of living adjustment would be one of the issues addressed and asked that civil servants salaries be adjusted and not by three per cent.
“Let there be no civil servant who earns less than E5 000. On top of that even those who are not civil servants should earn salaries that allow them to meet the standard of living,” she said. This user said money was the only thing needed by the country’s citizens.
“We do not want or need democracy because we do not even know what it is. We need money and peace in the country,” she said. Another user said the health crisis needed to be addressed. “We cannot be dying like flies when we have a government,” the user said.
Pick up points for
Sibaya transport
Government has availed a total of 43 buses and over 100 trucks to be dispatched in all the four regions.
This was revealed by Chief Celebrations Officer, James Vilakati on Thursday.
Transport would depart from all pickup points under the regions at 6am.
According to Vilakati, under the Hhohho region, buses would be dispatched at Pigg’s Peak, Ntfonjeni, Buhleni and Dvokolwako,Motshane, Mangwaneni, Mbuluzi and Hhukwini.
Under Manzini region, Vilakati said buses would be designated at Cana, LaMgabhi, Ntondozi, Nhlambeni, Mavuso Trade Centre, Mbekelweni and Mkhiweni.
He went on to state that under Shiselweni, buses would be dispatched at Mbangweni, Gege, Sandleni, Mtsambama, Matsanjeni, Nkwene, Moti and Hluti.
Under Lubombo region, buses will pick up people in these places, Lomahasha, Tshaneni, Malindza, Siteki Park, Mambane, Mpolonjeni, Lonhlupheko, Nsoko or U-tech and Siphofaneni,” Vilakati said.
Vilakati stated that the buses would be complemented by the trucks.
He explained that the trucks would fetch the people from their various communities to the designated pick-up points, before being transported to Lobamba.
“If the buses are full, the trucks will also assist to ferry the people to Ludzidzini Royal Residence,” he said.
Ministry of Home Affairs Communications Officer, Mlandvo Dlamini said people know their pick up points in the regions as they were always used in all the national events.
“Arriving at the designated pickup point on time will help ensure a smooth and timely departure,” Dlamini said.
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