BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) is full of praise for women for taking part in the recent 2023 national elections.
To show its gratitude, the EBC deemed it fit to take part in the on-going Buganu Ceremony at Buhleni Royal Residence, where it continues to teach the women on the mission and vision of the Commission. EBC Communications Officer Mbonisi Bhembe said the Commission was impressed with what was done by women during the recent elections.
Speaking to Eswatini TV during the event today, Bhembe said the number of women who were elected into Parliament told them that the women had gone all out in the elections process. It was for that reason they wanted to be visible at the Buganu Ceremony, an event made for women.
Bhembe said there were eight women that were elected last year, compared to the two that were elected in 2018. This was a message to them that women really wanted to increase their presence in Parliament, hence they went to the event, to teach them about the importance of participating in activities such as elections and having more of them being elected.
The EBC mouthpiece said the EBC would continue to do civic education around the country, if things went well. He reminded the nation that they were required by the Constitution to do so after elections, so that by the time the next elections were staged, people would know what to do.
According to Bhembe, the EBC would accommodate everyone during the civic voter education, including women, youth, people with disabilities, and men.
The women MPs who were elected last year include Nokuthula Dlamini (Maseyisini), Nomalungelo Simelane (Siphofaneni), Lomkhosi Masuku (Ludzeludze), Jane Simelane (Mbabane West), Zanele Mashaba (Lomahasha), Shawnette Henwood (Shiselweni I), Lomalanga Dlamini (Mangcongco), and Sibongile Mamba (Mtsambama). In 2018, Thandi Nxumalo (Manzini South) and Lady Howard-Mabuza (Mafutseni) were elected.
