Africa-Press – Eswatini. Prime Minister (PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini has called for prayer to ensure the success of the State Opening of the First Session of the 12th Parliament.
The State Opening in which His Majesty King Mswati III will make his Speech from the Throne will be held tomorrow.
The PM was part of the people who attended the final rehearsal and last preparatory meeting for the event. He will be attending the State Opening for the first time as PM following his appointment last year.
“Let us pray for the day to be successful,” he said.
Yesterday’s rehearsal and meeting was attended by Cabinet ministers, security chiefs, principal secretaries and other senior government officials. Dlamini said they were confident that the day would go well as the preparations were at an advanced stage.
He said those who were involved in the planning should continue doing a good job and do it with respect. He further urged everyone to address all the small issues that were pending, as per the progress provided by the meeting.
The rehearsals started with the entrance of Their Majesties, who were represented by parliamentary staff. Unlike last week, both the PM and the Speaker Jabulani Mabuza were present to welcome them.
After Their Majesties left the chamber, the support staff then went through the meeting where the Clerk to parliament, Bennedict Xaba, gave the progress report. He said all seats had been allocated to the MPs and senators as this would be a joint sitting of Parliament.
He further praised the ministry of public works and transport employees for the hard work they put in and also told the Minister, Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe to give them a pay raise.
Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini said everyone put in their best effort in making the event a success.
She said the people should put their best feet forward in order to have an excellent, peaceful State Opening, where everyone who would attend would be happy.
The speaker (Mabuza) said everyone put in great effort and asked them to ensure that they do the same thing on other things. He also appealed to the people to respect themselves on the day, as well as the national event.
Xaba then allowed the representatives of different ministries.
PS in the Cabinet Bertram Stewart said there was usually noise in the chamber, which was very embarrassing in other years during the event and asked what would be done about it.Xaba said they had a briefing with members of Parliament (MPs) on what is expected of them during the day.
A representative of the ministry of health said everything was ready. She said there would be an ambulance on the day from the Emergency Medical Services, which would be ready to take anyone who needed emergency care to hospital. She further said there would also be doctors and nurses on the day ready to attend to people in need.
PS in the Ministry of Health Khanya Mabuza they were ready in all of their sectors. Mabuza said the ministry was vigilant on the emerging threats of cholera and scabies and they would ensure cleanliness was adhered to. he further said COVID-19 was still a threat and should not be ignored.
Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology PS Phesheya Dube said his ministry was ready to bring services throughout the day. he said the event would be live-streamed on Eswatini TV and said a link would be made available.
Chief Protocol Officer in the King’s Office Khandlela Mdluli asked about the catering company for the day and if there would be enough food for everyone.
Xaba reassured him that food would be plenty for all those who would be invited and working during the day. People were also encouraged to dress appropriately as the event would also be screened in other countries.
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