Africa-Press – Eswatini. South African traditional leaders have urged Emaswati to be patient and await the dialogue that will definitely take place as announced by the Prime Minister Cleopas Sipho Dlamini on behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III.
Ndishini Prince Nkomozethu stated that the dialogue would have great positive fruits because people would express their views on a number of issues.
He said hopefully, government would get to hear what people wanted and be able to bring solutions amicably as a result of Sibaya dialogue.
Seemingly, he said a good number people were not aware what democracy was, they just followed others on their supplication for democracy.
“Only a few people are knowledgeable and others just follow. Maybe there is a need for a political school where people will have an in depth understanding of politics and democracy. There are discussions of democracy in Africa as a whole but very few understand it.
Eswatini has independence, freedom and is ruled through democracy, which democracy do people want? Isn’t democracy by the people and for the people?” he said.
He noted that the Tinkhundla system of governance was fully democratic and that elected Members of Parliament (MPs) moved straight to the House of Assembly unlike in other countries.
Making an example, he said in South Africa, it depended which Democratic Party was aligned to in order to have a seat in parliament. He said what was happening was not the democracy they wanted.
He emphasised the importance of Sibaya and development to start at constituency levels in order for the people to notice that the Tinkhundla system worked to benefit the people.
Developing
Prince Nkomozethu added that what failed the system was that after being voted for, most MPs migrated to urban areas and neglected developing their grassroots places.
“How then will they develop the communities and constituencies they were voted at? How will they then help government with service delivery? Clearly, the people will then blame the system for not taking care of Emaswati when that is not the case,” he said.
Further, he said the buganu ceremony was exceptional and impressive due to the massive number of regiment members among other things.
He said Lutsango from his area sated that they were well taken care of and would definitely come back to Eswatini for future ceremonies.
Sandleni Traditional Council Chief, Prince Sisitwako II said they looked forward to the dialogue as it would expose people for who they were as they claimed to look forward to it but would probably not show up.
He said they wanted everything to go according to what they wanted. He said it was not every Liswati that started the political impasse but a few that had strong people to implement certain issues.
“Sibaya must continue regardless of the people who don’t want to attend because they want everything in their own terms. My suggestion is that people should start discussing their views at Chiefdom level so that as traditional leaders we are not taken aback by the submissions no matter how dissenting.
This will also prevent opportunists from neighbouring countries to come and bring confusion. What will they submit because Sibaya will be for Emaswati to express themselves before the King,” he said.
The Prince noted that the Hlane leg of buganu ceremony was splendid.
He said this could be owing to the fact that there was no postponement unlike the first leg.
He noted that Lutsango regiment from Sandleni doubled this time around as they were prepared. He said they reported their excitement as well.
The Prince also stated that through such cultural events, as Emaswati based in South Africa, they were able to pay allegiance to their one and only true King.
Prince Sisitwako II added that as much as they could not change the political dimensions or changes in South Africa, they were well versed about their historical background hence they came to Eswatini.
“Such events will also help impart cultural information to the younger generation and traditions are revived through song and dance. Even when we have events, His Majesty always sends people who teach us about our culture as part of Eswatini delegation,” he concluded.
Ceremony
Prince Boas from Limpopo said he enjoyed every minute since it was his first time attending such a wonderful ceremony.
He said he was in the company of Acting Chief Queen Regent who also enjoyed the event.
Prince Boas said they would implement the cultural event in Limpopo. He also said they will definitely come to attend Sibaya as the Nkwanas (Ngwane descendants) from Limpopo.
Meanwhile, Nkhaba Lendzala Chief, Prince Sifiso said they would await the announcement of the date of Sibaya after the preparations were completed. He said through buganu ceremony, they experienced the unity and love that Emaswati had for their culture.
“I enjoyed when His Majesty and Indlovukazi showcased their dancing skills,” he said.
Prince Menzi from Mbhuleni Royal Residence praised the King for assuring Emaswati that the National Dialogue was being prioritised and for inviting the nation to start getting ready to bring all important issues.
He said they were anticipating it and urged Emaswati to be patient as there would be a directive from Labadzala on the direction to take once all the plans were finalised.
“We plead with Emaswati to be patient and urge them to attend Sibaya so that they express their wishes, challenges and suggest what could be improved, how it could be improved.
We are also disheartened and saddened by the continued burning of structures regardless of His Majesty’s call to abandon acts of violence and hostilities as preparations for the dialogue intensify. This is self-destruction,” he said.
On the buganu ceremony which took place over the weekend, he said the huge turnout by Lutsango indicated that they missed it during the past two years.
He appreciated Their Majesties for allowing and giving a nod to the two leg event after the COVID-19 statistics stabilised
“We will be here and our lutsango will also attend God willing, to pay homage to our authorities, Ingwenyama and Indlovukazi,” he added.
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