BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Eswatini has achieved yet another milestone, as it has been counted among African countries which had the highest number of women who were voted for into Parliament.
The country has been recognised for such a milestone by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), which made such an expression on its Facebook page. Other countries that have been recognised as having done such include Benin and Sierra Leone.
“#Benin, #Eswatini, and #SierraLeone‘s 2023 #elections recorded some of the highest gains in women’s representation in #parliaments compared to previous polls, partly due to recently legislated #quotas,” said the IPU statement.
Reacting to the IPU’s sentiment, Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini said the country welcome the sentiment shared by the IPU about Eswatini.
“We welcome the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s recognition of Eswatini’s continued efforts to foster inclusion and the representation of women in Parliament. His Majesty’s Government will continue to create an environment that promotes equality across all sectors in Eswatini,” the Premier said.
There were eight women elected last year during the national elections. The constituencies in that elected women include Mbabane West (which elected Jane Mkhonta-Simelane), Mangcongco (Lomalanga Dlamini), Mtsambama (Sibongile Mamba), Maseyisini (Nokuthula Dlamini), Lomahasha (Zanele Mashaba), Siphofaneni (Nomalungelo ‘LaZwide’ Simelane), Ludzeludze (Nomkhosi Masuku), and Shiselweni I (Shawnette Henwood).
On top of the eight women, the House of Assembly elected four women from each region, in line with Section 86 of the Constitution. The women included Tanele Magagula (Hhohho), Thandeka Mavuso (Manzini), Lindiwe Mamba (Shiselweni), and Futhi Ngcamphalala (Lubombo).
The House further elected five women into Senate, in line with Section 94 (2) of the Constitution. These included Lizzie Nkosi, Fezeka Dlamini, Lindiwe Ngwenya, Lorraine Nxumalo, and Linda Nxumalo.
His Majesty King Mswati III appointed four women MPs, acting in line with Section 95 of the Constitution. The women included Princess Lindiwe, Nkosungumenzi Dlamini, Tsembeni Magongo, and Thulisile Dladla. The King further appointed eight women into Senate, in line with Section 94 (3) of the Constitution.
These included Senate president Lindiwe Dlamini, Princess Ncengencenge, Princess Temaswati, and Princess Ntfombiyenkosi. The rest included Inkhosikati Gelane Dlamini, Stukie Motsa, Pholile Dlamini, and Savannah Maziya.
This brings the percent of women in Parliament to 28, as the House of Assembly consists of 16 female MPs, while the Senate has 13. Parliament has 103 members from both chambers.
