ESERA MEETINGS - A POLITICAL LESSON

The ongoing public meetings convened by the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA), as mandated by law, to discuss the proposed tariff hikes by the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC), have been quite revelatory.

The commitment shown by the public in attending these meetings to exercise their right to freedom of expression imparts a critical political lesson: The power and necessity of public engagement. These public consultations hark back to the national consultative exercises that His Majesty the King of Eswatini initiated, aimed at collecting data on issues of national importance. These engagements were famously known as Vuselas.

The current electoral system and Constitution of Eswatini owe their existence to these very Vuselas. There was a time when the King convened a Vusela focused on the country’s economy, leading to the adoption of robust policies aimed at diversifying the economy and further liberating it from superfluous bureaucratic systems and procedures. Notably, this endeavour remains a work in progress.

ESERA’s meetings have unequivocally demonstrated that emaSwati possess perspectives that can significantly aid the development of the nation. It is advisable for the King and senior members of the State to constantly bear in mind the importance of seeking economic and political solutions to current challenges through Sibaya, as frequently practised, and Vuselas, which have unfortunately become a rarity nowadays. Marwick Khumalo, the seasoned parliamentarian representing Lobamba Lomdzala, urged the King to keep the tradition of Vuselas vibrant, to gauge public perception and gather insights on approaching various challenges. He tendered this advice during the lawmakers’ open meeting with the Head of State at Mandvulo Grand Hall, at Lozitha.

With ESERA having successfully convened public engagement sessions, it might be prudent to build on this success story and seek to revive the Smart Partnership Dialogue that once gathered stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to discuss issues of national significance. The dismantling of the Smart Partnership Dialogue was a grievous misstep.  The Commonwealth Partnership for Technology Management (CPTM) invites leaders from economies which have enjoyed rapid economic growth. As such, Malaysia was a founding inspiration.

Communities

Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamed, then Prime Minister of Malaysia, was successful in transforming the Malaysia economy through bold policy measures, technology innovation and a new partnership with business. He also set an example with a Smart win-win approach to relations among Malaysia’s different ethnic communities.Dr Mahathir regularly hosted CPTM dialogues and his Chief Scientific Adviser, Tan Sri Dr Omar A. Rahman, one of CPTM’s founders, remains its chairman to this day. The dialogue protocols entail that all key stakeholders, who understand the need for better management of technology, are engaged; government, business and labour and everyone agrees to abide by the Smart Partnership Principles that they will seek to ‘prosper thy neighbour,’ and to search for ‘win-win’ solutions. That is the spirit of the Smart Partnership, which we dismantled.

The protocols also included the following -
Unnecessary protocols are dispensed with, in order to raise the profile of ideas regardless of who they came from – hence all delegates are treated as ‘equal Smart Partners’.
No one brings prepared speeches or policy positions reflecting external constituencies. We simply seek to discover and discuss the most pragmatic solution to the issue at hand.
What I do not like about the Smart Partnership dialogue is that the news media is not allowed to participate in the talks. I told the Southern African Development Community (SADC) presidents during one of the meetings in Ezulwini that I do not support the idea to exclude the media. His Majesty the King was present when I made my point in 2003.
The extraneous submissions made by some attendees during the ESERA public engagements underscore a crucial point - people yearn to be heard.

Vuselas should continue to be an intrinsic part of our tradition, enabling us to self-correct and remain proactive amid the pressures exerted by global politics, financial dynamics and climate change. The strategic inclusion of public consultation cannot be overstated, and numerous countries around the world offer shining examples of its efficacy.  For instance, in the United Kingdom, public engagement is deeply rooted in governmental processes. Public consultations are regularly conducted to inform policy decisions and legislative changes, ensuring that citizens’ voices are heard. This was evident in the extensive public consultations held during the Brexit referendum, where public opinion significantly shaped the discourse.
Similarly, New Zealand frequently engages its public through participatory processes in shaping legislation. The New Zealand Government’s ‘Have Your Say’ platform epitomises this approach, providing citizens the opportunity to contribute to government decision-making processes.

In Switzerland, direct democracy is a fundamental element of the political system, and public consultations are a routine practice. Citizens are regularly called upon to vote on a wide array of issues, ranging from social policies to economic reforms. This consistent engagement fosters a strong sense of participation and civic duty among the populace, reinforcing the importance of public consultation in the fabric of governance. EmaSwati, much like citizens from these regions, are rich in knowledge and vision.

Their engagement in global spaces has left an indelible mark. Across the African continent, emaSwati have contributed significantly to the growth of neighbouring South Africa’s economy, with numerous individuals working for international organisations such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Eminent business figures, such as Patrice Motsepe, are known to recruit emaSwati to manage their enterprises due to their acumen and expertise.

Businesswoman and current Minister of Information, Communication and Technology Savannah Maziya exemplifies citizens whose business pursuits thrive beyond Eswatini’s borders. Public consultation not only addresses emaSwati’s demand for greater democratic responsiveness, but also restores public confidence in the State and government. As a nation, it should not be a reaction to demands for political reforms by political parties; rather, engaging with the public should be ingrained as a cultural norm—occurring at least thrice annually. This

Wisdom

In conclusion, the lessons from ESERA’s public engagements offer an invaluable opportunity to reflect on the need for regular and meaningful public consultations. By drawing on successful international examples and harnessing the wisdom of emaSwati, Eswatini can forge a path that honours its traditions while embracing modern democratic practices.
This approach not only strengthens governance, but significantly enhances the nation’s capacity to navigate the complexities of the global political landscape, financial challenges and the looming threat of climate change.The National Centre for State Courts (NCSC), USA, states that public engagement broadly refers to involving members of the public in decisions that impact them. The Council states that governments often engage members of the public in decisions about policies, programmes and services. Commonly cited benefits of public engagement include:

• Input from the public can inform and improve government decisions and policies.
• Engagement can inform and educate the public about policies.
• Communities and individuals can develop and strengthen their capacities to be involved in influencing policies that affect them.
• Public engagement increases transparency and accountability with government, thereby building public trust.
• The NCSC is a community of dedicated researchers, consultants and former practitioners who drive innovation and progress in courts and justice systems.

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