CABINET MUST RECTIFY MISTAKES OF PREDECESSORS

The current administration is approaching its first anniversary amid a challenging legacy left by its predecessors, who contended with numerous issues including the Covid-19 pandemic and civil unrest among a host of other challenges. This leadership has had a difficult start, necessitating immediate and decisive action, exemplified by the Nkwe! declaration. Nearly a year into office, the complexities facing the citizens of Eswatini continue to deepen. From a realist’s perspective, the outlook appears grim, akin to an oncoming train, unless substantial changes are instituted. At the core of the nation’s enduring problems is a governance structure inherently designed to benefit a select few. It flourishes on patronage, resists dialogue, rewards incompetence and is excessively centralised. This is paradoxical, considering the Constitution’s purported emphasis on the ‘devolution of State power’. While it is true that there is no universal model for democracy, our system diverges significantly on multiple fronts.

If we are resolutely committed to developing a home-grown system that we believe can be accepted by our populace and presented to the world, it must be flexible enough to be defined, redefined, and shaped to fulfill the fundamental objectives of governance: addressing the social needs of the people and ensuring their meaningful participation in the governmental process. Generally, the populace is less concerned with who is in power or the nature of the governance system. Their primary concerns are basic necessities such as food, access to quality education, healthcare, employment and effective service delivery. This is my perspective. If the current system of governance can progressively achieve these goals, there would be less fixation on the debate about transitioning to a multiparty system, which alone is not a panacea for all our problems.

Examples

Numerous examples from other African nations can be referenced in this regard. A former member of Parliament imparted a crucial lesson in politics, which is that the Tinkhundla system must grasp and apply the concept of adaptability for it to endure. This involves knowing when to tighten and when to loosen control. No system can survive solely through force, which is unsustainable without the wisdom to adapt. I have always believed that the question of governance is perpetual. Any political system will continually be tested for its relevance and effectiveness. It is, therefore, essential for any leadership to allow room for evolution to ensure the system remains fit for purpose.

Approximately a decade ago, during one of the Smart Partnership Dialogues at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre, the late Prince Masitsela offered insightful commentary on this issue. Uncharacteristically for a member of the royal family, he boldly stated that the people should be free to discuss the political system and decide how they wish to be governed. Unfortunately, this sentiment did not gain traction among the highest echelons of power, and a counterargument was made that this discussion had been definitively resolved at Sibaya. Subsequently, the late senior prince was viewed by some as a pariah for his views. The current government faces numerous challenges and its performance thus far has been disappointing. For instance, the persistent drug shortage remains a significant issue. If we were able to account for the avoidable deaths resulting from this man-made crisis, many would view the government differently. Although this problem was inherited, the prolonged delay in addressing it has been detrimental to many emaSwati.

The previous administration also failed miserably to address the chronic delays in disbursing tertiary student allowances, which resulted in significant disruptions in the academic process due to recurrent student protests. Our national university currently cannot be ranked among well-performing tertiary institutions. Not much has been done by the current government to address this. Additionally, the country is far from achieving food security, importing even basic items like toothpicks and our staple food, maize. The Covid-19 pandemic starkly revealed our unpreparedness to handle disasters. Many young people, despite holding good qualifications, remain unemployed. There are no policies incentivising employers to prioritise hiring young individuals. Perhaps the most significant blemish on the legacy of the past administration is the civil unrest, associated deaths and the militarisation of the country. A review of international human rights rankings under the current leadership reveals poor performance.

A promising starting point for the new government would be to rectify the mistakes of their predecessors as much as possible. The country does not need new roadmaps; we have well-articulated policies that simply require implementation. From the National Development Strategy to Vision 2022, much remains unaccomplished that could have transformed the lives of emaSwati. Whether or not the Nkwe! declaration will change the material conditions of our people is yet to be seen. This government must be resolute and provide Their Majesties with sound advice. There should be no sugar-coating of issues or impunity for those who misappropriate public funds and fail to deliver.

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