WHAT IS A STATE?

Media professionals, myself included, stand guilty as charged. We have overlooked our fundamental duty to educate. While information and entertainment are equally crucial components, we have overemphasised these at the expense of education. Consequently, the media, once a bastion of enlightenment, has faltered in its essential role of educating the populace.

This neglect has left many, when faced with debate, resorting to ill-informed opinions or arguments lacking in depth. Numerous articles have tackled issues of the State in relation to government affairs, yet there is a common misunderstanding among the public regarding what constitutes a State.

Often, the terms 'State' and 'government' are erroneously used interchangeably, leading to confusion.A pressing question arises: what is a State? Many believe it denotes the President, or King, and their advisors, thinking these figures alone embody the state. However, these are merely 'Heads of State,' distinct from the broader concept of the state itself.

The distinction is elementary yet profound. Within secular politics, a State encompasses population, territory, government, and sovereignty. It possesses inherent powers; it is a perpetual, abstract concept as confirmed by political institutions worldwide.

Conversely, government is but a fragment of the State. Government derives its powers from the State. As academic discourse reveals, governments are transient, coming and going, while the State endures, holding concrete albeit invisible status.

To illuminate further, political science scholars, including those at esteemed institutions like Harvard University, describe the State as the 'highest form of human association,' essential in concept and practice, arising amid humanity's basic necessities. Space constraints preclude a deep dive into the principle of human association, but it is vital to consider its breadth.

I must say that historical definitions abound as Woodrow Wilson characterised the State as a people organised for law within definite boundaries. Aristotle viewed it as a collective of families and villages striving for a self-sufficient, fulfilling life. Burgess depicted it as a specific section of humanity functioning as a coherent unit. Marx’s "Das Kapital" and Lenin’s theories also provide critical perspectives on the State.

As Britannica notes, the State is distinguished from other social groups by its purpose and elements. I must say that the notion of the State harks back to Ancient Rome’s 'res publica,' signifying the legal system governing citizens. The modern State concept emerged in the 16^th century through thinkers like Niccolò Machiavelli and Jean Bodin, evolving further as societies transitioned from hunter-gatherers to agriculturalists and industrialists.

This evolution saw traditional authority supplanted by rational authority, granting leaders formalised power to enforce laws and policies. Let us reaffirm the core elements of a State:

• People: The populace residing within the State.
• Territory: A defined geographical area belonging to the populace.
• Government: The entity through which the State's will is articulated and executed.
• Sovereignty: The supreme power enabling the State to assert its will, free from external control.

The call for fairness and justice pertains to protecting the people from both government overreach and foreign interference. Political reforms demand a collective will, rooted in the understanding that government authority emanates from the State.Abraham Lincoln's famous definition of democracy as 'government of the people, by the people, for the people' intrinsically invoked the concept of the State.

Therefore, I submit that political reforms must always centre on the State, with its people as the ultimate arbiters. In Eswatini, Section 28(3) of the Constitution underscores the State’s role in fostering respect for fundamental human rights and human dignity. It is lamentable when efforts to educate citizens about the delineation of powers between a royal figure, as head of State, and the State itself provoke ridicule. The King is a symbol, not the entirety of the State. We, the people, comprise the State.

Academic negligence, notably the absence of comprehensive political science faculties, contributes to this misconception. Until we, as the people, endorse change, no individual—however esteemed—can unilaterally bring it about. The truth, unpalatable as it may be to some, is that the State is a communal entity mandating collective action.

This article aspires to educate citizens on their role in authorising the King to initiate reforms. Such initiatives, if unilateral, may boomerang on the nation. Nation has its own definition, even though it is often used interchangeably with State. The main difference between a State and a nation is that a State is a political entity, while a nation is a cultural unity.

In simpler terms, a nation is a group of people with a common language, history, culture, and (usually) geographic territory.  As a human association, the State must drive reform processes; collectively, we embody the State. One thoughtful reader accused me of state propaganda, unclear whether they meant the state agency or the collective human entity.Section 63 of Eswatini Constitution outlines every citizen's duties, including upholding the law and promoting national unity.

It highlights that while pursuing reform, we should never forget that we constitute the State. Understanding this dichotomy is crucial, for while governments may be ephemeral, the State is a permanent fixture. The duties of the citizen outlined in Section 63 further encompass:

• Advancing national interests and unity
• Respecting others' rights and welfare
• Promoting democracy and the rule of law
• Working diligently in lawful vocations
• Safeguarding environmental and public assets
• Collaborating lawfully for public order

Recommended readings on this topic include "The Concept of the State" by Quentin Skinner, "The State: Past, Present, Future" by Bob Jessop, and "States and Power in Africa" by Jeffrey Herbst, which provide additional insights into the evolution and dynamics of the State.Through this renewed educational mission, may we all gain a deeper understanding of our shared responsibility within the State.

EXTERNAL FORCE BEHIND ENPF CONVERSION DELAYS 

 I am now in my later years, still longing to witness the transformation of the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF) into a fully-fledged pension scheme.To begin with, I wish to express my gratitude to King Sobhuza II for initially establishing what was then the Swaziland National Provident Fund (SNPF), now known as the Eswatini National Provident Fund,.

It was established by the King’s Order in Council No.23 of 1974. This was a commendable initiative by the King and his council, aimed at ensuring that retired employees could continue to sustain themselves, maintain their households, and perhaps even expand their homes. At present, the system involves a one-off payment, disbursed as a lump sum, which remains the norm today.

The ENPF was conceived as a retirement savings mechanism, principally designed to provide benefits for employed individuals upon retirement due to old age or incapacitation. As stated by Lidlelantfongeni, all employers in Eswatini are legally mandated to become contributing members of the Fund and must contribute on behalf of each eligible staff member. The employee’s portion (half of the stipulated contribution) is deducted from their wages.

The primary mission of the organisation is to manage and administer retirement benefits for all employed Eswatini nationals. It is heartening to know that part of the organisation's mandate is to offer members peace of mind regarding their financial security post-retirement. This is achieved by ensuring that all funds under its stewardship are judiciously invested and accounted for, and that benefits are distributed efficiently, accurately, and promptly.

Our ENPF boasts a robust track record in shielding members against inflation and in safeguarding the value of active members’ retirement savings. Additionally, we are fortunate that the ENPF provides members with an interest rate that largely offsets inflation each November, with the next interest rate adjustment scheduled as we conclude the month of November 2024.

Concerning the conversion into a pension scheme, I remain perplexed as to why it has taken over three decades to accomplish this vital transition, which, by its nature, endeavours to alleviate poverty and hunger. Arguably, the civil unrest in 2021 might have been averted had the ENPF already evolved into a pension scheme, with young people taking comfort in seeing their parents receive a monthly allowance from the Lidlelantfongeni Pension Fund. At my age, I harbour doubts about my eligibility for membership in the pension scheme should conversion occur next year, despite being a consistent contributor over the past three decades.

Recently, ENPF hosted a stakeholder engagement event at Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini, where the conversion issue was thoroughly discussed—not for the first time, indeed.The enthusiasm and dedication exhibited by ENPF's management, staff, members, and Board towards this conversion process suggest that external resistance may have hindered progress.

Consequently, it is imperative for Parliament to launch an investigation into the circumstances that have led to over three decades of delay in converting the retirement scheme into a pension fund. I emphatically propose the formation of a select committee to engage experts in offering sound recommendations to bring this matter to fruition.

The Nkwe strategy (“Do things efficiently and quickly”) introduced by His Majesty King Mswati III should be applied to this matter. The prolonged delay is counterproductive, frustrating, and unnecessary. It fails to reflect our aspiration to position Eswatini as an emerging first-world nation.

The establishment of a pension fund holds immense importance for any society. It provides retirees with a reliable and consistent source of income, allowing them to maintain their standard of living without falling into poverty.Pension funds also contribute to the economy by investing in various sectors, fuelling growth and creating employment opportunities. Moreover, they act as a safety net for retirees, protecting them from unforeseen financial difficulties.

A well-structured pension fund enhances social security, boosting citizens' confidence in their post-retirement life.Delaying the introduction of a pension scheme can have detrimental consequences on both individuals and society as a whole. Without the security of a pension, many individuals may face financial instability upon retirement, leading to increased poverty rates among the elderly.

This can place an additional burden on government resources, as they may need to provide support through social welfare programmes. Furthermore, delaying a pension scheme can undermine public trust in financial and governmental institutions, as individuals may feel uncertain about their future financial wellbeing.The absence of a structured pension system can also limit economic growth, as potential investments by the pension fund are deferred, delaying potential benefits to the broader economy.

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