Sports associations celebrate Hlobi’s loss

MBABANE – Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Hlobisile Ndlovu’s loss in the Primary Elections has been received with great celebration from a section of sports associations.

In fact, a couple of sports associations executive committee members have described the minister’s loss as good riddance to sports, following a documented fallout with some of the key stakeholders during her five-year term.
Ndlovu lost to Pigg’s Peak businessman Jabulani Mabuza, who owns the Buy and Cash Hardwares in the country, in what was a landslide victory for the popular businessman.

The former Pigg’s Peak legislator is among five Cabinet ministers who failed to make it to the Secondary Elections as they were booted out over the weekend during the Primary Elections.
The minister’s failure to be elected by the people of Pigg’s Peak has somehow curtailed her possible return to lead the portfolio following a Senate Act that prevents candidates who have lost during the elections being co-opted into Senate.

Outspoken Swaziland Weightlifting Association (SWA) President Horst Saylor said the exit of the minister was good for sports. He said the minister did nothing while serving in the Sports Ministry. “I have no personal problem with her but her exit is good for sports. I am so pleased and we hope to get a better person who will do good things for sports,” he said.

Saylor said he wished the Minister the best in her future endeavours.
He claimed the minister failed the Sports Policy and sports in the country are not doing well because of her. Saylor added that Ndlovu was not a sports person at anytime.

Former Athletics Association of Swa-ziland (AAS) President Gideon Mthe-mbu said the people of Pigg’s Peak spoke very loudly for sports. He said sports people’s prayers have been answered as they wanted the minister out.

“We need someone with a vision and who can listen to advice. Sports do not need unwarranted bad noise, especially from a minister. If Minister Hlobi had handled sports issues delicately am sure all of us in sports would have mobilised all our energies to get her back for another term,” Mthembu said.
The Swaziland National Equestrian Federation’s (SNEF) Kate Rally said they were happy with the outcome. She said the minister gave sports bad publicity. “We need to forget the turmoil of the past regime and appeal to the appointing authority of the next minister to give us someone with wisdom, strength and integrity.  Someone who understands sports and the needs of the associations to enable top performing athletes,” she said.
Rally said sporting associations have become empowered, understanding their roles of responsibility and delivery. “Swaziland now needs a professional leader who will help associations bring greatness to the country,” she said.
 National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) CEO Frederick Mngomezulu said anything was possible with elections. He said it is unfortunate that Ndlovu was out. “I cannot give much comment on the issue. Elections are just like that some win while others lose,” Mngomezulu said.
The minister has had a turbulent five years in office as she had to deal with the 2010 World Cup Office whose report has still not be made public. There were controversies surrounding the hosting of the 2010 Zone VI Games which saw many suppliers and volunteers having to fight for their payments.
Recently, the minister ended her reign by fighting sports associations over the new Sports Policy which eventually resulted in the Swaziland National Sports Council becoming as a category A parastatal.

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