… As 10 senators elected by MP’s today
BY KWANELE TSABEDZE
LOBAMBA – “This is the first test of these honourable members of this honourable house,”
These were the words of Clerk to Parliament Benedict Xaba when speaking to Members of Parliament before they began the process of electing senators for today.
The next 5 years will determine whether the MP’s passed the test by electing the right senators today, as the day ended with the election of 10 senators by the MP’s to sit in the 12th Parliament in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Below is the full list of senators who were elected today:
- Dlamini Fezeka Nothando – 14 votes
- Mkhonta Majaha Siphelele – 13 votes
- Nxumalo Lorraine Nkhosingisite – 12 votes
- Sibandze Nkosikhona Sicalisa – 12 votes
- Nxumalo Linda – 12 votes
- Mdluli Ndumiso Mfanukhona – 14 votes
- Nkosi Lizzie Funekile – 12 votes
- Dlamini Sicelo Cedusizi – 16 votes
- Ngwenya Lindiwe Patricia – 11 votes
- Mndvoti Celumusa Ernest – 13 votes
Some candidates were eliminated fairly early in the vote counting process, as no MP had voted for them as their first preference candidate for senator. These include Majobha Magagula, Magagula Zombodze, Maphosa Shedrack, and Mavimbela Patrick.
His Majesty King Mswati III is expected to appoint a further 20 Senators to complete the House of Senate, as the per the country’s Constitution.
