Times Of Swaziland: NEWLY-ELECTED SENATOR GETS 210 CALLS

NEWLY-ELECTED SENATOR GETS 210 CALLS
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BY PHIWASE PHUNGWAYO on 07/08/2020 00:48:00


MBABANE – “I have received 168 WhatsApp messages and 210 calls.” This is
what Senator-elect Jimmy Hlophe has received since he won the Senate elections
on Wednesday. Hlophe said he was inundated with calls and congratulatory
messages such that he could not answer all of them.
Responding
“I have been responding to them since yesterday (Wednesday) and I can’t
cope. I am still responding to them even now,” the senator-elect said. He said
he had to do justice to everyone and humble himself before the throne of the
Lord by responding to every call and message he received from people
congratulating him on his new political journey. Hlophe said he could not even
identify who some of the well-wishers were as he was unfamiliar with their
number, but all the same, he had to respond.
While conversing with this reporter, a call that came through. The newly-elected
senator highlighted that the media was a professional institution and he
respected that. He said he would later return the call.
Jimmy replaces deceased Senator Mike Temple. A name tag has not been placed yet 
in front of the chair that was occupied by Temple. The seat is between Senator
Busie Dlamini and Alberto Samuels’s seats. Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini
also congratulated the senator-elect. She conveyed her appreciation to the House
of Assembly for doing a stellar job in selecting the appropriate candidate for
Senate.“I am thankful that they gave us a good candidate, a seasoned man who
has served the country as a Member of Parliament and in various leadership
positions,” Dlamini said.
Confident
She pointed out that Hlophe was once managing director for Caltex and they were
confident that he was coming in with experience and value to enhance the smooth
running of Senate.
The Senate president highlighted that a sitting would be held as soon as
necessary arrangements had been made. Dlamini said in the meantime, there were
committees sitting in Parliament and soon an Order Paper would be issued when
the swearing-in would be held. Dlamini reiterated her admiration to all those
who ensured the smooth running of the elections process.