Africa-Press – Eswatini. Perhaps it is important to start today’s column with recognition for the Elections and Boundaries Commission, for a successful and peaceful election.
The EBC has delivered a winner – uncontested – without any hassles and nothing short of remarkable.
There was a lot riding into this election at the start of the process, with the focus thrust firmly on delivering not just a winner, but a credible election.
From day one, the EBC worked tirelessly to ensure that the process was smooth and transparent, despite the political tension and the best efforts of critics to distract from the process. It could not have been easy for the EBC, but they went about this job as professionally as can be possible and delivered on the expectation of the public.
As such, there were a lot of positives from the successful by-election, such as that it was violence-free and delivered to us the winner that appeared to have been the favourite from the onset.
From that end, it is important to recognise that a lot could have gone wrong, but here we are and the public is satisfied with the process – and the winner has been sworn in. Given the background of this by-election, and the circumstances, this is a massive job for the EBC and to have pulled it off is simply commendable.
There is also the other positive, which is that the winner was not just the popular candidate, but that, it is a woman – which has been a big concern for the country in terms of woman representation in politics, not least parliament.
Again, this cannot be taken for granted, that the nature of this election always seemed to favour her, but the reality is that in the end, she had to fight for it and convince those who voted for her.
Demonstrates
The fact that she is only the third elected Member of Parliament in this term tells its own story and demonstrates how much of an achievement it really is that she breezed through in the end.
I would like to believe that MP Nomalungelo Simelane is not where she is today by virtue of her being the wife of the charismatic former MP and husband, or that she is the product of the politics of disruption that is eschewed by her husband and all those calling for democratic reforms.
The truth is that the MP has walked the journey and has come through the process and therefore stands firmly on her own success. The people have embraced her and her promise to deliver on the services they need the most. This success is for a winner – regardless of where she stands, or affiliates.
But, it is also a winner for modern day times and politics. When the MP took the walk to be sworn in, dressed in traditional regalia and wearing her charming look that has enthralled many gospel music lovers, it was clear where she stood.
Potential
And this is the main crux of today’s piece; that this newly-elected Member of Parliament has the potential to unite this nation through her walk to the political seat.
This may sound a little absurd, but there is a lot to be made about where LaZwide stands as a politician. While she has not come out publicly on her stand, whether or not she represents a political party, it is generally assumed – and to some degree, accepted – that she stands on the side of a political party. Perhaps the colour of the lihiya she had on for her swearing in is a slight indication of this although the idea of her dressed code might have confused the enemy!
This, by the way, says a lot about the MP’s character, given that she did not make such a fuss about her first public appearance. There was no drama accompanying her swearing in.
There was no playing to the gallery either. She simply presented herself and did what was expected. There was no attempt to make any other statement, other than that she had arrived for the big stage.
In this regard therefore, the point can be made that this is credit to the Tinkhundla system that it can accommodate a representative of a political party within its structure – without any farce or fuss.
Eswatini’s democracy is a direct-constituency based representation, and so to have an MP with political party affiliation is quite a big deal. It is very good for the Tinkhundla system of governance, which actually is the reason why progressives always criticise those who have attempted to ‘change the system from within’ as Jan Sithole once said of his decision to become an MP.
Of course it is another point altogether if she can do better than the two who have been here before her, or if at all like Jan Sithole before her, she can achieve to change the system from within.
This may also be prematurely for this term, given that she is only in parliament for at least a year and there surely isn’t enough time to make inroads in this regard.
Tensions
But, there is no disputing how significant her election is for both sides of the divide, given the tensions we have experienced in the past year or so – and taking into account the subplot to her election.
The country needed for this election to go well and the fact that it is LaZwide, the wife of the former MP who has been at the forefront of the calls for political reforms in the country makes it even more important.
To put this into context, one needs to look into the week leading to the election when the former MP released a video on social media that was laced with subtle threats of intimidation as he warned that there was only one winner he was expecting.
He warned that violence would erupt if there were to be any voter rigging especially if the outcome would not be what he and his people were expecting.
Saving
In the end, LaZwide cruised to victory, saving us all from having to deal with what could have been.
In the process, the victory is a win-win for both sides of the divide. This is a loud message for the system in that our electoral process can deliver as per the people’s wishes – regardless of what they stand for.
The nature of the election itself came at a time when the spotlight is thrust firmly on this country and its political environment so this goes to argue on the political tolerance that we as a country have always been known for.
MP Nomalungelo’s election also serves to give confidence ahead of next year’s elections, laying the foundation for those calling for reforms to trust in the process and use it to effect any constitutional changes they have ambitions to make.
There is an argument to be made therefore that both parties have needed this outcome, perhaps more than each can dare to admit.
LaZwide’s political ambitions aside, it is clear that she has the political inclination of her husband and his movement. It is therefore obvious that it means a lot to that movement that she is now in parliament, whatever that the manifesto may be for the short term.
Whether she pushes the agenda of the ex-MP she replaces or chooses to represent her own ideals (her campaign promises, of course) it is yet to be seen, but by the fact that she had a sizeable number of supporters accompanying her to her swearing in should tell us all that she has other interests other than the Siphofaneni constituency.
That may very well be, but for the moment, she has joined the fray in the current political system, in which she will have to learn to crawl before she can walk or run.
Right now though, the message that has been clearly sent with this election is that the country has no problem with MPs coming from political party formations, so long as they go through the Tinkhundla system and electoral system. That clearly remains the ticket to the political seat.
The message is also loud and clear that the system of governance can deliver on a clean and credible election.
Thankfully, both parties came through the test and now need to work with each other to set the tone for the next stage.
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