BERTRAM REDEPLOYED IN PSS RESHUFFLE, APPOINTMENTS

MBABANE – Bertram Stewart, the former Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training, has been redeployed to the office of the Prime Minister.

He is one of eight others who have either been redeployed or appointed to the position of principal secretaries. Prime Minister Cleopas Sipho Dlamini announced the changes yesterday at Cabinet during a press briefing. This happens at a time when the country has been marred by protest actions, some involving the burning of schools by  pupils who have been presenting demands to head teachers which include the release of incarcerated Members of Parliament (MPs) Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube.

Such actions by the pupils, coupled with political unrest in the country, resulted in the PM closing schools indefinitely. When asked about his redeployment to the PM’s Office, Stewart said as a civil servant, he was available to be posted to any ministry and was looking forward to the new challenge. He wished his successor, Bheki Gama, well. Gama is the new PS in the Ministry of Education and Training.

Confident

Stewart said he worked closely with Gama, hence he was confident that he would be competent at his new job. However, Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General Sikelela Dlamini said as the leadership, they learnt many things from Stewart, who came with a completely different dimension. Dlamini said Stewart did not take things seriously even those that needed serious attention. “I can say he was too casual even on matters of great importance,” said the SG.

Also he said Stewart would at times show less respect for the next person, something they said, as SNAT executive,  learnt to live with. “Bad as our relationship was with him, we have been able to learn a few lessons out of it,” he stated. Dlamini said Stewart also had a good side to him. He added that they were hoping to see change for the better in him in the future. Further, he stated that the new PS, Gama had always been welcoming such that they used him as an entry point in the ministry and he received their letters of demand. The SG expressed hope that they would continue to have a great relationship with Gama. This, he said was not meant to patronise him as they were aware that while working together, there would be instances where they would disagree. He said they were also open to that.

When questioned about the SNAT comments, especially on the respect for others, Stewart said it was their perception. Also being redeployed was former PS in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport Khangeziwe Mabuza, who was sent to the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs. Mabuza was replaced by Thulani Mkhaliphi from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

Redeployed

The former PS in the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs John Hlophe was redeployed to that of Labour and Lindiwe Mbingo, who worked at the PM’s Office, was sent to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. Further, the PM announced the appointment of Thabsile Mlangeni to the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development. Meanwhile, the appointment of Lorraine Hlophe, who was the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs principal secretary and Bheki Bhembe from Ministry of Economic Planning and Development was revoked.

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