… As induction workshop for parliamentarians begins
BY KWANELE TSABEDZE
MBABANE – “Execution of Parliament Core Mandate with Excellence”.
This is the theme of the inaugural induction conference for Parliamentarians in the Kingdom of Eswatini. The week-long conference began today, with a high attendance of Senators, Members of Parliament, as well as Government stakeholders.
Speaking about the importance of the excersise, Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini began by thanking the Parliamentarians for their participation.
“I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of you to this historic and important induction conference of the 12th Parliament, your impressive attendance is very encouraging and highly appreciated. It is imperative for me to start by extending our profound gratitude to their Majesties and the nation at large for their confidence in us – a confidence that has been displayed through the respective appointments and elections. It is both a humbling honour, and responsibility that cannot be overlooked,” said the President of the Senate.
“We are all aware that, save for the four women who are members of the House of Assembly, the 12th Parliament has now been fully constituted,” she noted.
Dlamini also expressed an appreciation for the swift appointments and elections of Senators, Ministers, as well as His Excellency the Prime Minister, Russel Mmiso Dlamini.
“The formation of the legislative and executive branches of Government comes at the back of a successful SIbaya, to which we say Bayethe! Sibaya is a very integral part of our very unique and unparalleled monarchical democracy, product of our Tinkhundla-based system of Government. The people have had their say, and his Majesty was unequivocal about what needs to done and the urgency with which it must be done – Nkwe, as we popularly call it. That responsibility falls squarely on our shoulders and we cannot disappoint,” she remarked.
“This induction conference comes at a very opportune time before we start to effectively execute our duties. Parliament administration found it prudent to ensure that as we eagerly wait for the Government policy, which will be delivered by His Majesty the King, when he officialy inaugurates the first sitting of the 12th Parliament in February,” revealed the Senate President.
“As Parliamentarians, we arm ourselves with the necessary knowledge and skills to implement the Government policy through our different, yet equally important roles. The objective of this conference is to capacitate us on what is expected of us as we execute our mandate, which is representation, oversight, and legislation,” she further reminded Parliamentarians.
“We hope that we will leave this week-long conference having acquired the skill and necessary knowledge to effectively discharge our core mandate, which is derived directly from the Constitution. The theme of the conference is, therefore, aptly titled “Execution of Parliament Core Mandate with Excellence,” said the Senate President.
Other stakeholders who were present for the official opening of the induction ceremony were the Governor of the Central Bank of Eswatini, Phil Mnisi, the First Lady of Kwazulu Natal, Nomthandazo Buthelezi, Presiding Officers, and the media.
