THULI DLADLA MAKES HISTORY

 MBABANE – Senator Thulisile Dladla has made history.  For the first time in the Kingdom of Eswatini, the minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is a woman.

The news were delivered by the Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini yesterday when he revealed the new 20-member Cabinet team.
During a press conference held at the Cabinet Offices at exactly 3pm, the premier announced that he would be deputised by Senator Themba Masuku, who also held the same position during the Ninth Parliament.

Senator Dladla, when hearing the news from this reporter, was beyond shocked. “Stop playing around with me, are you sure, my God! what did the King see in me,” said Dladla in her initial reaction. In lists that had been previously circulated on social media, Dladla had been speculated that she would be in charge of the Ministry of Education and Traning.

Education

Meanwhile, another woman has been appointed Minister of Education and Training and this is Mafutseni MP Lady Howard-Mabuza, a former head teacher.   
As if the list of Cabinet was being carefully scrutinised, the media was first called to the press conference at noon. However, as the minutes ticked by, Government Spokesperson Percy Simelane advised that the journalists should return to the newsroom and they would be contacted later.

In the afternoon, the PM, on who was flanked by Secretary to Cabinet Mbuso Dlamini then announced the 19 members of Cabinet.  After the DPM’s name was announced, the PM stated that the Finance minister would be appointed MP and businessman Neal Rijkenburg.

Rijkenburg’s reaction was that he had just received an SMS from an unidentified person informing him of his new position. “There is a great task ahead of this administration and I am humbled to do my part, by God’s grace,” said Rijkenburg.    

   
Meanwhile, all former Cabinet ministers who were members of the 10th Parliament bounced back as ministers although their portfolios were changed.
Pigg’s Peak MP Jabulani ‘Buy Cash’ Mabuza, who was the minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade,  is now the minister of Agriculture while former Minister of Agriculture, Moses Vilakati, is now the minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs.

Former minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs David Cruiser Ngcamphalala is now the new minister at the Ministry of Tinkhundla, Administration and Development.

Women

A total of six women have been appointed Cabinet ministers and the others are Princess Sikhanyiso, who is the minister of Information, Communication and Technology, Princess Lindiwe, who is the Minister of Home Affairs and Pholile Dlamini-Shakantu, who is the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
The other female is Senator Lizzy Nkosi, who is the Health minister.

Appointed MP Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe landed himself the hot seat at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. Ndwandwe was previously the under secretary at the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office.
Meanwhile, former Eswatini Water Services Corporation Managing Director Peter Bhembe is in  a field which he is familiar with as he was appointed the new minister of Natural Resources and Energy.

Senator Mancoba Khumalo, who was working for Coca-Cola in Ireland, was also appointed into a field which he is familiar with; that is the ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade.

Economist Dr Tambo Gina was appointed into the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development while lawyer Makhosi Vilakati, who is LaMgabhi Member of Parliament, has been appointed as the minister of Labour and Social Security.

Interestingly too, when Vilakati made his submissions at the Cattle Byre and when the legislators met the King on Wednesday, he spoke about the scholarships which fall under the same ministry which it has been appointed into.

Madze

Prince Simelane is the new minister of Housing and Urban Development while the Ministry of Public Service will be headed by Shiselweni I MP Christian Ntshangase. Former footbal national team coach and Mbabane East MP Harries Madze Bulunga has been appointed the Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs.         

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