NEW DNA TESTING SPARKS MIXED REACTIONS NATIONALLY

MBABANE– The recent formation of an organisation dedicated to providing accessible DNA testing services in the country has elicited a mixed response from key figures.

They are highlighting both the potential benefits and the emotional complexities surrounding such services.

A newly registered non governmental organisation (NGO) called Anti-Fabricated Paternity Organisation, offering free DNA tests to the public has been met with good and bad responses from Eswatini Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) and Deputy Prime Minister’s (DPM) Office, especially after its founder Phumlani Vilane confessed that it is still struggling with funding.

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the molecule that carries genetic information in living organisms. It essentially provides the ‘blueprint’ for an individual’s characteristics, making it invaluable in determining biological relationships.
DPM Thulisile Dladla, upon being informed of the organisation’s establishment, acknowledged its potential to address a critical need. “This initiative is good because it will benefit a lot of people who are in need of paternity tests, but do not have the financial muscle to do it,” she stated, emphasising the accessibility the organisation aims to provide.

However, the DPM also raised concerns about the potential emotional impact on children.

“The bad part of it is that the DNA tests are traumatic for the children because they grow up to find that their fathers have doubts about their identity of paternity,” she explained.

“We, as adults, think about ourselves, but forget that the child will grow up and learn that their father had doubts about their paternity. The tests should not be just about the parents but should focus on the future of the children.”
Funding

The DPM suggested that the new organisation should register with the Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations (CANGO) to seek funding guidance and indicated her office’s potential to refer clients to it as her office will enthusiastically be a user of its services.

Meanwhile, the Director of SWAAGA, Dlamini, expressed strong support for the initiative, describing it as ‘good and much needed’.

However, she also voiced disappointment at the apparent lack of initial funding. “I was hoping to refer clients to this newly-established organisation, but it still has a long way to go if it does not have funding,” she stated.

Dlamini highlighted the organisation’s potential to address a range of critical issues, including paternity disputes, child maintenance cases and rape investigations.

“This initiative will help resolve issues with men or fathers who deny paternity of their children and mothers who do not know the fathers of their children.

“It will also assist in investigations of rape cases, whereby a survivor got pregnant and the DNA test will help incriminate the suspect,” she explained.

SWAAGA also pledged to provide counselling support for individuals affected by DNA test results, particularly children facing revelations about their parentage.

Dlamini offered strategic advice on securing funding, emphasising the importance of strong proposal writing skills and a clear, detailed budget.

“Funders usually fund organisations that are highly skilled in writing proposals,” she noted, highlighting the need for a comprehensive plan outlining projected service delivery and operational costs on a daily, weekly and yearly basis.

The comments from both the DPM and the SWAAGA director underscore the complex societal implications of accessible DNA testing services in Eswatini, balancing the potential for resolving legal and personal disputes with the sensitive emotional impact on the individuals involved.

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