FIRST WORLD MISCONCEPTION

Sir,

We need to know what the term ‘First World’ means to our government. I think they have the misconception that airports, billions of Emalangeni buildings, highways etc will make us a First World country. How long will it take the country to get back all the monies spent on these projects?

Building

We still have the same or less number of people flying in and out of the country as we had before. We are busy building a multimillion Emalangeni hotel structure in Ezulwini, a town that already has hotels and lodges. Do we have enough tourists coming into Eswatini who will keep that place running? Structures do not render a country First World; they just give it a good appearance. My definition of First World is access to human rights, good education, excellent health services, access to water etc. How are we going to raise educated leaders if the country is killing its education system?  We had one of the best universities in the southern side of Africa, but within a short space of time, the place has been suffocated by government. The quality of education offered at University of Eswatini (UNESWA) should not drop but it should get better. We need UNESWA to revert to being among the best in southern Africa and for it to be the nation’s pride, as it was before.

Service

When it comes to the health sector, I wonder when was the last time one of the government officials went to a public health institution in Eswatini for assistance. If they are happy with the service they are giving us, then why are they not using these institutions themselves? Why do they go to other countries to get assistance when they fall sick? They make us trust in what they are offering by using the government hospitals themselves. If we want to be a First World country, we must improve the social grants given to the elderly and there should be one for the unemployed. Which First World country has no money for its citizens, but has money to spend on celebrations that will not benefit emaSwati?

Water

Meanwhile, water is one of the biggest problems in rural areas; is there something being done to improve access to potable water? Are millions of Emalangeni being spent on boreholes?
This country must improve on these things and maybe we will make it to the First World much faster. And it must be known that a happy nation is easy to work with. The First World is viewed as countries that have the most advanced economies, the greatest influence, the highest standards of living and the greatest technology. There is a lot that still needs to be done in this country, and if there is no haste in doing this, we will never be able to make it. 

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: