Times Of Swaziland: IS IT POLITICS OR IGNORANCE?

IS IT POLITICS OR IGNORANCE?
================================================================================
Thabani K Banda on 24/03/2025 08:35:00


Sir,
Why is it that of all the possible careers in this beautiful nation, the
political career is the most disrespected? That of all the
qualification-demanding, experience-demanding and expertise-demanding
occupations, politically affiliated ones are almost always the back liner? In
fact, one dares to ask the question of whether or not these are at all
professions or quick schemes to make money. Regions of the world could possibly
answer the affirmative to the question of politics being a profession, because
of their fundamental understanding of professions having to involve prolonged
training and formal qualifications.
Politicians from these regions of the world are highly regarded people, well
learned citizens and paragons of virtue who reflect on the prestige of their
positions; people respect them and what they do. But how do we expect our people
to respect our politics when they do not respect the very people in those
positions? The truth is, one of the age-old problems that have not only plagued
governance in our beautiful country, but also our promising continent of Africa
is in politics. This critical career turned umtapo (give away) has become a
quick fix for hungry stomachs. Aspiring politicians prey on hungry people to
gain access into parliamentary riches, to in turn satiate their own. Albeit so
it may be, that pales in comparison to the virtually non-existent regard for
education.
Education
Politics is one of the crucial building blocks to national strength and
prosperity. Without strong politics, national legislation in critical aspects
will falter and fail. There is as such an imperative need for literacy. However,
political literacy is scarce as hen’s teeth. Many times, in our own government
elections, we as the people elect individuals for so many reasons but with zero
regard for their political literacy. How are these people going to serve when
they have zero political literacy, let alone even an inkling of the system in
our own monarchical democracy and its political landscape? It seems all that a
person needs is popularity. But in what universe does popularity equal
intelligence or in this case, political literacy? One can even blame our own
systems for not making political literacy key in assuming political positions,
when in reality it is indispensable to political prosperity.  These are critical
public service positions; you cannot wing it!
Aspirations
The absence of political literacy almost always goes hand in hand with the lack
of political aspirations. This is logical. If, in order to soar the sky, you
need wings that present the ability to fly, how can a human even have such
ardent desire to fly when he has only limbs? Political literacy presents
enlightenment, and it is upon enlightenment that one aspires because they have
knowledge which gives the means to achieve an ambition. Suffice to say that
political literacy does not teach what to do, but it gives tangible knowledge to
back up aspirations. As long as such knowledge is devoid among the masses, we
are still going to have to make do with politicians who only aspired because
they were told they would make a great member of parliament. Political literacy
is in tandem with political aspirations, vice versa. We cannot expect change to
come from people who did not have any political aspirations at all.
Conclusion
That anyone can run for parliament is what will make or break our government.
However, with proper knowledge, people will soon learn to cast their vote for
the most competent candidates because knowledge is the key to a civilised
society. This is a critical time for our citizens to cast a vote. Witnessing the
same cycle of politics plagued with little knowledge is demoralising. However,
we are better than we were in yester elections, and this is a promise that we
shall be even better in the coming years. So, is it politics or ignorance? Well,
it is our politics, and the ignorance is slowly being eroded by knowledge like
this.