DNA testing debate deserves honest discussion

Madam,

Allow me to offer my perspective on the DNA testing debate that has generated considerable public discussion and featured prominently in the pages of the Times of Eswatini. While the issue has attracted different opinions, I believe we need to move beyond emotional arguments and examine the proposal based on the actual problem it seeks to address.

One of the strongest arguments against DNA testing has been that the money could instead be used for primary school children. It is an argument that sounds compassionate because, as a nation, we all want to see better learning conditions for our children. We want to see schools with enough classrooms, teaching materials and resources that allow every child to receive quality education.

However, this argument falls apart when we examine how government finances actually operate. The assumption is that if money is not spent on DNA testing, that same money will automatically find its way into classrooms. But history has taught us that this is not always how our government operates.

When money is saved from one area of the budget, there is no guarantee that it will directly benefit a child sitting in a classroom at Ezindwendweni or any other rural school. We have witnessed countless reports, including those highlighted by this publication, where public funds have been lost through poor financial management, unaccounted expenditure and corruption concerns. Before money reaches the intended beneficiaries, it can disappear into other demands, inefficiencies or systems that fail to deliver services to ordinary citizens.

Therefore, using education as a reason to reject DNA testing creates a false choice. We should not pretend that every amount not spent on one programme will automatically transform the lives of schoolchildren. The reality is that improving education requires a deliberate commitment, proper planning and accountability in how allocated funds are used.

The real question we should be asking is whether DNA testing addresses a genuine social need. The answer is yes.

Paternity disputes are not just private family disagreements. They can destroy relationships, create lifelong emotional wounds and leave children caught in conflicts they did not create. Some people grow up believing they know their identity, only to discover later in life that the foundation of their family history was built on uncertainty. Such discoveries can affect a person’s sense of belonging, inheritance rights, maintenance claims and emotional well-being.

In many cases, DNA testing can provide clarity where suspicion and accusations have created years of conflict. It allows families to deal with facts rather than assumptions. It also assists courts and other institutions in making fair decisions when disputes arise.

We must also recognise that access to reliable DNA services is not a luxury. In a modern society, citizens deserve access to scientific tools that can help resolve important personal and legal matters. Avoiding these services does not make the problems disappear. It only allows uncertainty and conflict to continue.

Furthermore, expanding DNA testing services could create opportunities for skilled employment. Laboratories require trained scientists, technicians, administrative personnel and other professionals. This investment could contribute to skills development while strengthening our justice and healthcare systems.

This does not mean we should ignore the challenges facing education. Our schools deserve more funding, and our children deserve better learning environments. However, we should not use the struggles of one sector to dismiss another initiative that addresses a real social problem. As a country, we need to have honest conversations about priorities, while recognising that different challenges require different solutions. We cannot solve every national problem by placing one need against another. Instead, we must demand accountability, ensure resources are properly managed and support programmes that improve the lives of emaSwati.

Let us debate DNA testing based on its actual benefits and challenges, not on the assumption that money would automatically reach schools if it were not spent elsewhere. Our own experience tells us that public finances are far more complicated than that.