WHO WILL REPLACE MANDVULO AS NEXT PM?

MBABANE – On December 13, 2020, Their Majesties and the Eswatini nation lost Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, who served the country as prime minister.

He died at the age of 52. He was in office from October 27, 2018 to December 13, 2020. May his soul rest in peace!

His death has created a vacancy at Hospital Hill. This post must be filled because a prime minister is the third most important in Eswatini. In our monarchy, the Head of State is ceremonial in many spheres of his leadership and delegates his executive powers to the prime minister who is responsible for running the country with the approval of His Majesty’s Cabinet.

While the prime minister executes his duties, the King continues to symbolise the unity and integrity of the country at home and abroad.

Regardless of the fact that some people could possibly be still mourning the death of Mandvulo, as his passing is still fresh in their minds, there would come a time when he should be honoured with a perfect replacement. 

Pertaining to the appointment of a prime minister in Eswatini, His Majesty is unpredictable, you can’t read his mind. The good thing about the Head of State is that he supported the inclusion of 67 (1) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini, which states that the King shall appoint the prime minister acting on recommendation of the King’s Advisory Council. 

That is why, for the first time, candidates earmarked for the post of premiership were given an opportunity at the cattle byre (the nation’s meeting place) to make submissions on what they could do or influence government to do if they were to be appointed as prime minister. Mandvulo was one of them.

Since Mandvulo had not fully served his five-year term in office, it is possible that the appointing authority might consider someone with qualities to hit the ground running.

experienced

When King Mswati III dismissed Prince Mbilini on May 8, 1996, he looked for an experienced politician who could succeed him. He was in office for two years, five months. Therefore, Mbilini’s successor was to be in office for slightly over two years. On July 25, 1996, the King appointed Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini as the PM. Sibusiso had served the country as the minister of finance from 1984 to 1993. 

He also worked for International Monetary Fund (IMF) as an executive director. He did not need an orientation on House of Assembly and Senate Standing Orders, how to craft a Cabinet paper, how a Bill is passed by Cabinet and presented to Parliament or how to chair Cabinet meetings and later keep the King informed of government proposals, decisions and successes. 

creation

The person to be appointed into the post of prime minister is left with less than three years to lead government to economic recovery and massive job creation. He is left with less than three years to strengthen health and educational institutions. Of course, he is left with less than three years to improve infrastructure. It is our hope and prayer that anyone who will take up the role  can add value to government’s Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan. He must have qualities to lead from the back and front to ensure realisation of the country’s dream for food security, energy self-sufficiency, job creation, strengthening of health and educational institutions.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: