Times Of Swaziland: Govt seeks sponsors for King's birthday

Govt seeks sponsors for King's birthday
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 SENZO DLAMINI on 02/04/2012 00:00:00


MBABANE – There is no budget set aside for this year’s birthday
celebra-tions for His Majesty King Mswati III.
This was confirmed by Home Affairs Minister Prince Gcokoma, who is also the
Chief of Mbelebeleni in the Manzini region, in an interview last week.
The prince said the obtaining precarious financial status had made it
practically impossible for government to have a budget strictly for the
celebrations.
The King, according to the minister, will be joined by the nation in celebrating
his 44th Birthday at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium in Nhlangano in the
Shiselweni region.
His Majesty was born on April 19, 1968.
The minister has sent a plea to the local business community, in particular
those from the South to make meaningful contributions towards making the
celebrations a massive success.
"Bobabe tikhulu (chiefs) from the Shiselweni, as hosts, are fully aware of the
fundamental role they’re expected to play as they are the ones who will be
hosting the King on his memorable day," Prince Gcokoma said.
The chiefs, according to the minister, have already been informed to make
contributions in the form of cattle to feed the thousands of citizens expected
to attend the all-important event.
The minister said the E5 million budget for all national events would solely
cater for fuel.
Last year, the Head of State was unable to celebrate his birthday with the
nation because government was in a financial quagmire.
The Shiselweni region played host for the King’s birthday in 2006.
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Comments
No budget set aside? Why does it have to be state funds at the 1st place? Why
drain the poor the little they have?
Apr 2, 2012, 6:37 AM, POA (emproducer@live.com)
Well times are hard Swaziland, like IMF said the other day the party is over. As
such the country needs to focus on priorities. This goes to say we cannot go on
partying when government is cash strapped to the point of failing to raise money
to deliver services to the public. I mean there is just no fuel for cars,
graders and tractors, but Mininster Gcokoma is even bragging that E5m would be
spent on fuel for a day's celebrations! What on earth would be transported on
this day? Could these be people attending the celebrations? If so, why should
they be transported to be fed? My take is that E5m on food could go a long way,
I mean mealie meal and meat, for starters, how many cows can you get on E5m? I
make that 20,000 herds of cattle at E4,000 each; can the people go through these
many cows in a day? In funerals we feed a thousand people on one beast. Are we
expecting 20million guests there, from where? On the fuel thing, let everyone
find their way there, and the taxpayer foot the feeding bill. Are we going to
hope that His Majesty is going to save us again by telling government to shelve
this year's celebrations as he did last year? It could come as a welcome move
you know.
Apr 2, 2012, 6:37 AM, Burns Dlamini Lobhoncela (Burnspolitics@gmail.com)
Most families in this country have been seriously affected by the economic
crisis caused by the gvt. All they can do for their kids' birthday is buy a cake
and no party. I guess this gvt. will have to do that this year. Natsi site imali
coz you are taxing every little cent we try to make. Tough cookies!! Kute
lotokufa if there is no big celebration.
Apr 2, 2012, 8:19 AM, Ngomi N (syd_nhlengetwa@yahoo.co.uk)
Lets wait for lesimo sengce bekunene, a birthday cake for the family will do
under the prevailing circumstances. Is it Swazi culture to celebrate birthdays,
where are the traditionalists, sengiyatibutela nje ke.
Apr 2, 2012, 12:39 PM, dumsile zwane (dumzwa@gmail.com)
Kepha vele kukaNgwane lapha. There are a lot of poor people langaphandle baze
badla nebulongo but a whole cabinet is soliciting funds for a birthday instead
of helping poor people. Asekucatjangwe bekunene. Important things first, luxury
later. Let's think for the future.
Apr 2, 2012, 12:39 PM, Lord Anthony (anthonym198@gmail.com)