Times Of Swaziland: WHAT IS A STATE?

WHAT IS A STATE?
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Mfanukhona Nkambule on 30/11/2024 07:17:00


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 16th 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.