LINDIWE SENATE PRESIDENT

LOBAMBA – Senate has embraced women empowerment when it comes to the position of president.

This is because after having had a woman as president in the previous three Parliaments, another one has taken over the hot seat. Former Minister of Public Works and Transport Pastor Lindiwe Dlamini, was yesterday elected unopposed as the president. Dlamini takes over a seat that was held by former President and acting koNshingila Chief Gelane Zwane.

Appointed

Zwane had been holding the position since 2006, when she took over from then President Mathendele Dlamini, who was appointed minister. Meanwhile, Pastor Lindiwe’s family members, including her husband and children, watched in excitement as her name was called out as the only one who was in the running for the election of president. Dlamini’s name was raised by appointed Senator Thuli Dladla just after the new members had been sworn in. She was seconded by Senator Isaac Magagula and it seemed the rest of the members had made up their minds as there was no opposition.

As per the Standing Orders, Clerk to Parliament Ndvuna Dlamini, who was chairing the proceedings, asked if there was any other candidate but there was none, which put the pastor into the seat of president unopposed. The same procedure was used for the election of the deputy president, whose name was raised by Senator Sylvia Mthethwa. She was seconded by Senator Leckinah Magagula, and Senator Ndumiso Mdluli, who was the only candidate, and was declared the winner. True to his words which he emphasised on Monday during the first workshop for the senators, the clerk then made the announcement that the House should adjourn.

The clerk made it clear on Monday that those who would be nominated for the two positions would not take their seats until they received blessings from His Majesty King Mswati III. As the House adjourned, the new president requested journalists not to interview her as she was not ready to say anything. “I will only be able to speak once I have received the blessing of His Majesty King Mswati III,” she said. Before being the Minister of Public Works and Transport, the president was also a member of Cabinet as Minister of Housing and Urban Development. Mdluli, on the other hand, was a senator of note in the 10th Parliament as he featured prominently on issues related to the education sector.

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