Africa-Press – Eswatini. Recommended changes to the Constitution can start at Sibaya.
This was said by His Majesty King Mswati III when reflecting on the year 2021 in his Speech from the Throne during the official opening of the fourth session of the 11th Parliament yesterday.
His Majesty said the country ended the year with elements of division among the populace which would not help it move forward.
He said Emaswati had a way of engagement, which was to sit down and dialogue.
“We now have a Constitution that is a product of national consultation and it also prescribes how to go about making amendments where the need arises,” he said.
He said Emaswati should not sway from this route.
“It provides that recommended changes to the Constitution can start at Sibaya, which is the ultimate decision making body of our people, then taken to Parliament for adoption and promulgated into law,” he said.
His Majesty said as the country entered the year 2022; it must take stock and learn from the gains and missed opportunities of the previous year if a sustainable way forward was to be charted.
“Life teaches us that sometimes we need to fall in order to rise, and that we need to fail in order to succeed,” he said.
He added that what defines people was how they choose to overcome the challenges that life place in their path.
He further discouraged the use of force and violence to influence change as everyone deserved to live in peace.
“It is not a crime to have diverging views but engaging in dialogue creates a better outcome for all, as every person needs advice from time to time,” he said.
His Majesty said the nation embraced the Smart Partnership Dialogue because its values were anchored in resolving matters around the table, just like the tripartite forum for labour issues and ultimately the Sibaya dialogue.
He said all these formed part of the country’s efforts to promote peace.
“However, due to COVID, these types of engagements could not take place. We are thankful that we are seeing the pandemic subside, which gives room for these consultation forums to resume,” he said.
The King further encouraged Emaswati to put the country first and not push self-interest.
“Let us remain the peace loving Emaswati we are known to be. We must return to the principles imparted to us from our predecessors. This country would not be what it is today if it were not for the ways of life we inherited from our forefathers,” he said.
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