ECONOMIC DIALOGUE NEEDED, NOT ONLY POLITICAL

IF for some miracle I suddenly changed my surname to Dlamini and by some greater miracle was appointed the Prime Minister, my first act would be to try and reconcile the bad blood between the monarchy and nation through a dialogue of a different kind. When a nation goes through difficulties, it is natural to blame the leadership and of course they will be those who will want to take full advantage of that situation.

The root cause of all this tension is the lack of a valve to release the pressure that has been building for a long time. The economic difficulties that have been experienced over the last few years, with no increment in salaries and job losses have contributed to the unrest we experience last year. It was very sporadic, in such a way never seen before. The natural assumption was that it required a political solution, and possibly it does, but it is possible that a form of valve or an opportunity to vent out our frustrations at an open forum might be just what the nation needs. COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating effect on all sectors of the economy and the Ukraine/Russia war is not helping with prices sky high. The average family is suffering. The loss of loved one has also seen many families falling into despair.

National economic dialogue  

As prime minister,  I would ask their Majesties to allow me to get a proper nonpolitical forum to discuss developmental and economic issues from all the citizens. The discussions would start at the Imiphakatsi and tinkhundla level where representatives would be chosen for a higher forum.  The various organised bodies such as the unions, churches and others would hold their discussion and elective conferences. They could then elect their representatives to put forward their views. I would ask the nation to then provide representatives from all corners of the country say 1 000 members to form a National Economic Dialogue.  

This body with would be organised with a proper secretariat and held at the International Conference Centre. The delegates would include all chiefs, emabandla, unions, lutsango, youth, students, Professionals bodies; lawyers, doctors, engineers etc. farmers, sports councils, business organisations, churches, the disabled, pensioners, civil society, and the unions, including the Teachers Unions. The economic dialogue would spend five days or more days deliberating on ways of improving the living conditions of emaSwati and suggesting developmental policies. The idea is that the conference would have the expertise to answer questions from the right expects  given the policy and its deliverables. The delegates could have solutions for the country and most impotent would have the buy in to what government intends to do.

The economic dialogue would meet every three years to review the government deliverables before its final two years in office. Their report will determine any changes including any need for my cabinet reshuffle for the next two years. There is a need to get the views of the people. The politics must not be allowed to take centre stage when there are clear economic issues that continue to hinder progress. The people ,ordinary emaSwati must be trusted and given the facts of our economy, strength, weakness, opportunities and threats. The middle class emaSwati are left out when they contribute the most in taxes and are privy to all that goes on in government.

Information is key

This nation is in desperate need for information. This is proper reliable information about the direction of our country. It is possible that their Majesties and the cabinet members are informed of our strategy going forward but the reality is that no one else really knows. It is possible that the very government employees don’t know the big picture of  where we are going. The true reality of our financial situation and ways to come out of any such crises is really known by this few. The role of each citizen towards the development, industrialisation and the building of this nation is not known by the citizen. We are working in silos, doing what you do in your corner not knowing the masterplan.

International milestones no local masterplan

We are guarded by international milestones. A number of UN agencies and programmes are active in one or more areas of sustainable development, such as the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP). The UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), is actually responsible for the implementation of Agenda 21 and the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and also for driving and overseeing the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI). All these are great but we need to know where as emaSwati we want to be in five years or in 10 years. We need to be a true part of our development strategy which I feel has caused the citizens to feel this country belongs to the few, hence the political strife.

Finally, I would call in the Teachers and the nurses  to a big indaba and listen to them. Not just their representatives but the individuals and hear their daily struggles as they strive to serve the nation. I mean really listen because they are the key to the future of this country. After I have listened to them, then tell them our true position as a country (the lack of money) and try to work out a solution with then.  I would ask them to leave politics out and we try to forge an economic solution to allow them to deliver. It would not be easy given the old political mistrust, but with the help of patriots amongst them, we can create a great country.
Send comments to septembereswatini@gmail.com

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: