By Zweli Martin Dlamini
Africa-Press – Eswatini. It was very unfortunate to see Information, Communication and Technology(ICT) Minister Savannah Maziya who gained popularity shortly after being appointed as a Cabinet Minister crying and venting her frustration inside Parliament regarding the delay in the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the Royal Science and Technology Park(RSTP), the Minister is blaming Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini for the delay.
But seemingly, the Information, Communication and Technology Minister does not fully understand Mswati’s ‘modus operandi’, the King has only one permanent interest, it’s the Throne and he has been operating like this for the past forty(40) years under the traditional principle, “wonkhe kumele aphume ajabulile eNkhosini”.
It is therefore important to clarify that, those who does not understand Mswati will think that, they are more important than others in the eyes of the King, the Monarch does not operate like that and Savannah must understand this.
But the Royal Science and Technology Park is a very critical institution, it controls the country’s communications infrastructure including emails, in fact it is the heart of the country’s technological innovation and a key pillar of State security.
Therefore, you cannot grab anyone from Zimbabwe or other countries and appoint that particular person as the Chief Executive Officer of the Technology Park because that person, will gain access to critical State information and compromise the country’s security, such positions are normally awarded to individuals who are loyal to that particular Government and the country.
Now, Information Minister Savannah Maziya must understand that, she can blame Russell Mmiso Dlamini but, there’s someone above the PM who might be behind the Prime Minister, RSTP CEO position is very critical and King Mswati is aware of this.
Crying in Parliament won’t help the Information Minister, this is politics and we don’t want cry babies, she must read the operational manual of the Tinkhundla system and thereafter, she will understand what is delaying the process of appointing the RSTP CEO.
Administratively, the Minister might be right by adhering to corporate governance principles, instructing the Board to conduct interviews and recommend individuals who might be appointed but, the RSTP is not like any other State or Government parastatal.
Indeed, the RSTP is not just a technology entity but a pillar of State security and the King might pretend as if he is not involved in identifying the CEO yet, only a person approved by Mswati will eventually take over that position.
Politics of this country are very complicated, if you don’t understand you might consider taking the fast lane like Savannah and subsequently cry inside Parliament.
I will not entertain the Minister’s emotions because this is politics, some of us who report about the politics and governance issues of this country sometimes go through difficult times but, we wake-up and continue with our job.
The Information Minister must engage the Prime Minister and reach a consensus on the possible candidate so that the RSTP can have a new CEO, Parliament is not a pre-school and we don’t want cry babies in politics.
It’s true that, we want women in leadership positions but they must be strong and face reality not to cry inside Parliament, Savannah must face the PM if she is convinced that it’s the Prime Minister who is frustrating her and she must be willing to be lectured about Mswati’s ‘modus operandi’.
But in conclusion let me tell this story, over fifteen(15) years ago I was at Lozitha Palace to cover an event where the King was welcoming Ambassadors.
The then Foreign Affairs Minister Lutfo Dlamini and Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini were present and we were chatting with other journalists waiting for the King only for one Mbuyazwe Dlamini from the State owned radio to tell me that, I won’t be allowed inside because I was not formally dressed.
As the King approaches, Mbuyazwe Dlamini spoke on top of his voice saying; “ngitsi ngeke ungene ungakafaki libhanji noma imvunulo”, I ignored Mbuyane and looked the King straight in the face to see his reaction.
The King made a signal with a smile using his head allowing me inside and I continued with my job, after the event I laughed at Mbuyazwe who didn’t notice the King’s reaction.
So the Information Minister must always keep a close eye on the King’s body language when discussing this issue with him, sometimes Mswati will give you a “yes” when in fact he means “no”, you will thereafter, leave the Palace thinking it’s a “yes” only for the King to call the Prime Minister later and inform him that “it was actually a no”.
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