…Strydom Mpanza and Welcome Dlamini lead pack so far
BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE – inventive, creative, imaginative, original, innovative, quick-witted and elaborate
These are some of the adjectives that can be used to best describe the trailblazing 2023 electorates.
Candidates standing for Bucopho, Indvuna Yenkhundla and Member of Parliament (MP) have shown sharp-witted campaigning strategies and designs.
The campaign period was opened immediately after the primary elections as depicted in the Elections Act, of 2013 and candidates have wasted no time in utilizing the opportunity to get votes.
From trailers, high-end billboards, food packages, Soccer tournaments and now social media preferably TikTok.
Even though the electorate has not shied away from the known traditional campaigning, social media has given them a slight edge.
For starters, The Times of Eswatini Deputy Weekend Editor Welcome Dlamini mounted a huge billboard next to Mater Dolorosa School (MDS) in Mbabane, announcing his campaign manifesto.
Dlamini is an MP candidate for Mbabane East. He launched a number of innovative campaign strategies including football tournaments and music shows. Dlamini over the weekend hosted renowned Gospel artists Linda Dlamini, Shongwe and Khuphuka, Phathwakahle and Shiba and Travellers at Msunduza Sports Ground.
The turnout was amazing where close to a thousand community members came out to witness the show and show support to Dlamini.
Dlamini encouraged everyone to pray and put God first before casting their vote.
Meanwhile, Shiselweni II MP Strydom Mpanza has been dominating the social media platform TikTok. With various videos and memes, Mpanza with the help of his fully-witted sons has been able to embed himself in the minds of voters.
He too has done a great deal of campaigning from soccer tournaments to elderly food packages.
Meanwhile, Nomkhosi Masuku, another MP candidate from Ludzeludze Inkhundla opted for a big mobile trailer that is pulled by a van, with her face and content of her campaign all over the trailer’s billboard.
“My family, especially my son, gave me this idea and I quickly ran with it,” she said.
Worth mentioning is that September 29, 2023, is the date set aside for the secondary election in the country, the day will also be marked a holiday.
