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LATE MINISTER DESCRIBED AS ASTUTE, HONEST LEADER

23/02/2022 08:54:00 Khulile Thwala

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MBABANE – An astute leader and an honest man who brought a wealth of experience and knowledge.

These were some of the phrases used to describe the late Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, Peter Bhembe, by some of his colleagues yesterday during interviews. According to a statement issued by the Deputy Prime Minister, Themba Masuku, yesterday, the minister passed away on Monday evening at a South African health facility where he had been undergoing specialised treatment. This was Bhembe’s first term as a Cabinet minister, having been sworn in during the 11th Parliament in 2018. Previously, Bhembe was the Managing Director of the Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC). He served the corperation for 26 years, having joined as MD in 1995. Prior to his appointment as MD, Bhembe was an Engineering Manager at Eswatini Breweries and had also held the position of Engineering Manager at GENCO (South Africa) and Emaswati Coal Mine.

Dedicated

Many described Bhembe as an honest leader, who was dedicated to his work and diligent in the execution of his duties. “My sincere condolences to Their Majesties, Cabinet, government, the Bhembe family and the nation. It is a big loss to lose a leader like Bhembe in the middle of his term. He had a lot of experience; he leaves behind a huge legacy, especially in the Water Services Corporation, where he served as managing director for many years and a lot more work,” said Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi. “Within Cabinet it is a really big loss as we have lost other ministers before. He was an honest man who was dedicated to the work he did. He brought great wisdom from his own experience and growth. His absence will leave Cabinet weaker because of the value he added. We will miss him as a minister and as a colleague with his unique sense of humour,” Nkosi further said. Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Moses Vilakati described the late Bhembe as an astute leader, who was humble and hard-working.

Sympathise

“It is a very sad moment for us as Cabinet, we sympathise with Their Majesties, the nation, Cabinet and Parliament,” said Vilakati. He said the late minister was passionate about his work and exerted himself selflessly to the development of Eswatini, be it in water services or energy supplies. “He loved his family, particularly his grandchildren. We will dearly miss him. Akalale ngekuthula,” added Vilakati. The Chairperson of the Eswatini National Petroleum Company, Muzi Dlamini, said the loss of the minister was evident on many fronts. “He came with a good business and work ethic. He wanted reports on time and wanted to put honesty and integrity at the fore in everything he did. In issues pertaining to raising funds for Phuzumoya, he was very instrumental in creating a good rapport between us and DVSA because he had a previous relationship with them when working for EWSC,” said Dlamini.
He further said the late minister gave them support whenever they needed it.

“More especially in the matter of the Petroleum Act of 2020, he really pushed in Parliament to ensure that it was enacted into law, which is basically the foundation on which our organisation stands. “He was a hard-working man and visionary, ngibuhlungu kakhulu kakhulu and I convey my condolences to his family, His Majesty, who appointed him and the prime minister as well as the entire nation,” said Dlamini. EWSC Public Affairs and Customer Experience Manager Nomahlubi Matiwane, in a statement, said the Board of Directors, management and staff passed their condolences to His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, the government, and the Bhembe family on the demise of the minister.
“After leading the corporation as managing director for over 25 years, the minister was a leader, a father and a spiritual mentor to the EWSC family. The corporation conveys its prayers to his wife, children and his entire family,” read in part a statement sent by Matiwane. On the other hand, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Thuli Dladla said she was at a loss for words over Bhembe’s passing.

Experience

“We are tired emotionally from the losses we have encountered as Cabinet. Sikhalela emakhosi, because Bhembe had a lot of experience in a number of portfolios, which made him a cut above the rest. “He was especially well-informed in the mining sector and untouchable on issues pertaining to energy. He was a man of a few words but always directed Cabinet to a better route and way of doing things. The sector he was in charge of has truly lost someone who added substantial value,” said Dludlu. The late minister is the fourth Cabinet minister to pass away since 2020. This follows the death of former Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, former Minister of Public Service Makhosi Vilakati, and Minister of Labour and Social Security Christian Ntshangase.