Times Of Swaziland: Ex-pm A.t back as tibiyo boss

Ex-pm A.t back as tibiyo boss
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 SENZO DLAMINI on 30/10/2008 00:00:00


MBABANE – His Majesty King Mswati III has appointed Absalom Themba Dlamini,
the former Prime Minister, as Managing Director of Tibiyo Taka Ngwane.
Prince Chief Logcogco Dlamini, in a press statement yesterday, pronounced
Dlamini’s appointment.
"The Main Committee of Tibiyo Taka Ngwane announces that it has pleased His
Majesty the Ingwenyama to appoint Absalom Themba Dlamini as Managing Director of
Tibiyo Taka Ngwane," reads the statement endorsed by the prince.
Chief Logcogco is also the Chairman of the newly-appointed Liqoqo.
The 58-year old A.T, as Dlamini is affectionately referred to, succeeds Senator
Ndumiso Mamba, who has since been appointed Minister of Justice and
Constitutional Affairs.
Interestingly, Mamba succeeded Themba as Tibiyo MD five years ago.
This was in 2003 when Themba was appointed PM by the king.
Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini, the newly-appointed Prime Minister, yesterday said he
was not yet informed about his predecessor’s appointment as Tibiyo’s new
boss.
"I’ll be in a position to comment once I’ve been formally informed about the
appointment," the premier said.
Many eyebrows were raised during the recent appointments of Senators, MPs and
other committee members by the king when Dlamini’s name was conspicuously
missing from the lists of over 60 people.
He was also missing from the Liqoqo list yet in the past some former PMs would
be appointed there. This led to speculation that the former PM could return to
Tibiyo or head another large institution in the country.
Dlamini was present at the royal cattle byre when Barnabas was re-appointed
premier and even then he did not divulge when interviewed what his next step
would be. He was reportedly keeping a low profile, running his various
businesses until the appointment was announced yesterday.
‘...he has more experience now’
MBABANE – Prince Logcogco Dlamini, the Chairman of the Main Committee of
Tibiyo Taka Ngwane, has described Themba Dlamini’s five-year tenure as Prime
Minister as a career enrichment.
"He was on a learning curve," said the chief. "He’s filthy rich with
experience now."
The chairman said, as an organisation, they were welcoming back Dlamini with
open hands.
He said the new MD was expected to be in office immediately, saying probably on
Monday to assume his new duties.
The soft-spoken chairman said A.T was expected to prepare for the sacred annual
Incwala ceremony to be held on a date still to be announced.
"He’s just going back to what he knows best," Chief Logcogco said.
"The Incwala needs him to be on board immediately."
He described Themba as the luckiest citizen to be engaged (bulawaed) by the king
for the third time.
"The appointment of A.T as Tibiyo MD cannot be taken for granted," said the
chairman.