Africa-Press – Eswatini. Longest serving Member of Parliament (MP) in the kingdom, who was recently elected by Lobamba Lomdzala constituents to serve for a fourth consecutive term, Marwick Khumalo, has revealed that he will not stand for the next national elections slated for 2028.
Khumalo, who would have served as an MP for 30 years when the 12th Parliament’s term of office comes to an end in 2028, said the decision to step up down was for personal reasons. Khumalo has been elected as Lobamba MP twice and four times at Lobamba Lomdzala.
He acknowledged that the people of Lobamba Lomdzala, who took turns to eulogise on the good work that he has done for the constituency during a thanksgiving ceremony convened at the Inkhundla yesterday, would still prefer to vote for him, but said it was high time he gives other candidates a chance.
The extroverted politician pledged that he would also be involved in the process of choosing another candidate for MP.
“I need to give someone else a chance. The logic behind my reasoning is that it always becomes a good thing to let go of a position while the people still want you to continue being in control.
I may consider any other election such as Senate, but constituency based election will be a no for me after 2028,” said Khumalo during the event, which was attended by over 1 000 people including chiefs, MPs, entrepreneurs and senior government officials who braved the scorching heat to honour their MP.
During the ceremony, Khumalo opened the floor for constituents to share their developmental agenda and any other business, which they felt need the attention of Parliament.
Each constituent was allocated two minutes to make their submissions and Solomon Dlamini, an elder in the community, was among the first people to make an intervention. He called upon Khumalo to facilitate construction of a factory at Lobamba Lomdzala where all sex workers in the constituency would be hired in order for them to stop engaging in the illegal act.
“It is very saddening that our children are now resorting to prostitution due to the lack of income or employment,” said Dlamini.
Themba Vilakati called upon government to reimburse some of the people who were injured or paralysed during the political upheaval in June 2021. Vilakati said it would be wrong for government to pay businesses only and leave out the ordinary citizens.
Gogo Mkhonta said they were proud to be led by Marwick at Lobamba Lomdzala. “Keep doing great and groom others. The disability grant has been hiked, but the elderly grant remains at E500 and I think the latter should be increased as well,” Hlophe said.
Zodwa Dlamini said, “Marwick is God-sent. We even wonder what he means when he says he won’t stand for the next elections. Who will do your job when you have left? Please also address the issue of security within the constituency; the people are now starting to be unruly and dangerous.
“We believe in your capability and that is why we pray day and night for your success.”
Gogo Mndzebele also applauded Khumalo’s leadership style.
“Thank you for your wise leadership Ntungwa. We are happy for the hall, which has been constructed; it will particularly help the youth in doing business,” she said.
Caroline Madau pleaded with Khumalo to ensure that salaries for community motivators are paid on time.
paid
He said the last time they were paid was in December.
“We also still don’t have uniforms yet the sizes for each of us were recorded,” said Madau. Calisile Bhembe thanked Khumalo for assisting them with purchasing traditional regalia for their dancing team.
She informed the MP that they emerged as number five out of 16 during the Ingwenyama Cup traditional dance competition. “Can you please buy us the traditional regalia; we will be number one in the next edition of the competition, we promise,” committed Bhembe.
Make Hlophe said, “Marwick you are one of a kind.
I never had a home after it was demolished and we were left out in the cold but you came through by building a new house.”
In response to the submissions, Khumalo said he was happy that his fellow colleagues were present when the issue of reimbursing innocent victims who were injured during the unrest was discussed on the day.
“Not only businesspeople must be reimbursed for damages incurred during the unrest,” Khumalo said.
With regard to the plea for elderly grants to be increased, Khumalo said, “We are happy that government has increased disability grants.
We hope government will announce a raise of elderly grants in the next financial year. We fully understand that elderly grants need to be increased due to ever rising costs of goods and services,” added Khumalo.
The seasoned legislator also said the issue of sex work needed to be addressed holistically by availing employment opportunities to reduce poverty, which makes those who engage in this illegal trade vulnerable.
Khumalo said the national minimum wage also needed to be addressed as per sector.
“We need to deliberate on whether the national minimum wage must cut across the board.
There needs to be a discussion on whether it should be per sector not to avoid a situation where people lose jobs due to the high salaries. The minimum wage must not be introduced haphazardly,” Khumalo advised.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
