Politics

MBABANE – Is the impasse between Minister for Education and Training, Owen Nxumalo and Principal Secretary (PS) Nanikie Mnisi getting nasty?

In a dramatic turn of events, the normal government protocol was breached when the minister publicly snubbed the PS, by allegedly refusing to be introduced by her.

This happened during the Sifundzani High School Speech and Prize Giving Day, which was held on Friday.

The norm during public events, where the minister is a guest expected to deliver a speech, while the PS is present, is that the latter takes to the podium and introduces him or designates an officer from the ministry to do same.

In vernacular, this is referred to as ‘kumsukumisa’.

However, during the Sifundzani High School Speech and Prize Giving Day, attendees were treated to an unusual spectacle as the minister was introduced by one of the Board members of the school.

As the drama unfolded, the PS was seen being escorted out of the school.

Investigations by this publication have revealed that the minister allegedly informed the school authorities that he was not going to be comfortable with the PS doing the introductory remarks.

When called by this publication, the minister neither confirmed nor denied the incident.

Instead, he highlighted that he is of the belief that the PS is undermining his authority, yet he is the head of the ministry.

When asked if their relationship is good, the minister said it cannot if the PS continues to undermine him and publicly opposes decisions that he believes he has a final word on.

“She is not supposed to undermine my authority. Once I take a decision, it becomes a policy. Otherwise, if there is something that she has a problem with, she knows where to report.

“If we do not agree on something, she must engage my principal and not go public to disapprove my decision as she is my subordinate,” the minister said.

On the other hand, the PS confirmed it and alleged that her attendance at the event was not good, as she did not receive a warm welcome when she greeted the minister upon arrival.

Mnisi narrated that she was on the programme and that an officer from the ministry engaged with the school authorities that the minister was on his way.

“When I greeted the minister, I did not hear a response. I did not even know his speech as I had not seen it. The controlling officer has to see such a speech because you cannot control government affairs without that person.

“The news reached my ears that I will not be introducing the minister, and I accepted that,” she said.

According to Mnisi, even though the incident took her by surprise, she behaved normally, because she had another event to attend which she was even contemplating cancelling.

“It was tense, but I am a mature person. I did not even bid goodbye to the minister, because he was cold towards me. For me, I feel that I have to be the bigger person here. There were pupils there who look up to me and parents whom I work with. Then there is me and my reputation,” she said.

Meanwhile, Secretary to Cabinet Victor Nxumalo said he was not aware of the incident and was not sure why the minister asked a Board member to introduce him when the PS was present.

Nxumalo said he would have to engage the minister to ascertain what really happened.

“If the minister did say that he does not want to be introduced by the PS, it would be wrong. However, we cannot judge for now because you may find that they reached a certain agreement,” said Nxumalo.

Also, he said his office might consider engaging the two just to avoid any possible differences.

While the two issues may not be related, it should be noted that in recent weeks, the PS and minister have differed on the issue of privatising the Baha’i schools in the country, which was done by the latter.

Following the privatisation, Mnisi came out to dismiss the move and labelled it as null and void.

After that, the minister reacted by stating that his word was final on the matter.

The issue led to the two appearing before Liqoqo, the King’s Advisory Council, where they presented their positions.

The dispute emanated from a letter dated August 8, issued by Minister Nxumalo to the Baha’i schools grantee and the Baha’i National Spiritual Assembly of Eswatini.

The letter approved the Board of directors’ application to privatise the Baha’i Pre-Primary, Primary and High schools.

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I respect the minister - Nanikie

MBABANE – Ministy of Education and Training Principal Secretary Nanikie Mnisi has emphasised that she respects the Minister, Owen Nxumalo.

Mnisi said she respects Nxumalo not only as a minister but also a politician and businessman.

She said while she will not speculate and say that the decision she took on the Baha’i issue has strained their relationship, she believes that it was the best and that had it not, she would have been fired by the country’s authorities.

“I believe that on this issue, I have saved the country and the image of the authorities. I am going to fight for this kingdom.

“We are from tough times of the political unrest and my position means that I have to be responsible for it,” she said.

Mnisi said she is clear about the fact that the minister has the final word, but that she believes the superior persons are the King, Indlovukazi and prime minister.

She said she will continue to work with the minister as she wants the best for the ministry.

“Divided we fall, together we stand. Together we can go a long way but alone you can go only as far as you can,” she emphasised.

*Full article available in our publication.

Minister for Education and Training Owen Nxumalo. (Pics: Courtesy)

Principal Secretary (PS) Nanikie Mnisi.