KING PROMOTES SIX SENIOR SOLDIERS

NOKWANE - His Majesty King Mswati III, the Commander-In-Chief of the Army has promoted six senior soldiers.

The King announced the promotions when he was addressing members of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) and the nation during the celebration of the 51st Army Day which was held at the Army Headquarters at Nokwane yesterday.

The promotions include four Brigadier Generals, a Major General and a Lieutenant Major General. The first promotions which the King announced were the four Brigadier General’s and they are; Ncanawe Dlamini, Sotja Dlamini, Chimpa Shongwe and Elijah Shabangu, who is currently attending a course in the Republic of China on Taiwan. Prior to the promotion, they occupied the rank of a Colonel.

Thereafter, the Commander-In-Chief of the armed force blessed the promotion of Brigadier General Thandumusa Dlamini and Major General Mfanawenkhosi Khumalo to Major General and Lieutenant Major General, respectively.
He said other replacements in the form of promotions, commissioning and defence attaches, would be announced by the Army Commander General (4 Star) Moses Mashikilisana Fakudze.  However, he also mentioned that promotions could not be all done in a day, thus others would be an announced next year.

The Commander-In-Chief of the Army highlighted that the vacancies which he filled with the promotions were caused by either retirement or death among other things. On another note, the King told the soldiers that the nation came to the army headquarters to appreciate their good work that they do for them (nation). He said as a nation, they were pleased that, since inception, soldiers have continued with their national objective of always protecting and defending the country and its people. Thereafter, the King said it was encouraging to note that they continue to raise the standards of their performance. He said their yesterday’s performance was uniquely different from the displays that they demonstrated in the past.

Requirements

After that, he said their mandate as soldiers requires them to always maintain their bodies - in good shape so that they could be able to perform their duties well. Therefore, he commended them for maintaining their fitness as it could be seen through the various vigorous drills that they were combat-ready. “We always receive good reports of your work with the various communities, especially when you reach out whenever you are called upon to assist regardless of the time of the day as you are on duty 24/7. What is important is that you continue to demonstrate that soldiers are not an enemy of the nation, but are here to serve and live with them in harmony for the betterment of the country,” the King said. Again, the Commander-In-Chief said it was equally pleasing that as soldiers, they continue to work with allied countries who selflessly impart vital knowledge and skills to them as they engage with them in many countries around the world.

Celebration

He added that they have been informed that some of them were not present at the celebration because they were abroad for training in various fields of defence and others were in peacekeeping missions. He said on their return, they expect them to share their skills with the entire UEDF. Thereafter, he thanked all those that have contributed to the growth of the country’s military, including the country’s development partners for their continued kind gestures and support rendered to the army.

He said as a country, they were grateful to receive reports that in these external courses local soldiers perform exceptionally well as some have been awarded as the best international students. He said as learning from first-world military institutions would help in developing the UEDF to the same position. “This is a clear testimony that our army has potential of being one of the best militaries in the world regardless of its size. Being a soldier is all about hoisting one’s flag, therefore such reports regarding your performances in external courses is indeed commendable,” the King said.

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