BY BANELE MAGONGO
MBABANE – The Ministry of Home Affairs has been able to help a woman aged 117 years to be registered as a citizen of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
This was said by Minister of Home Affairs Princess Lindiwe yesterday (May 13, 2024) when she launched a mopping exercise at Vusweni Chiefdom, under Nkomiyahlaba Constituency in the Manzini Region. The woman in question was discovered last year during the same exercise, which was conducted at Nkonka Chiefdom, under Matsanjeni South, in the Shiselweni Region.
The minister brought up the subject of the elderly woman to emphesise the importance of the mopping exercise. The minister said this exercise, which included registering citizens who were unregistered, was meant for everyone to be registered citizens so that they could be helped easily. She said no matter the situation Emaswati found themselves in, they were encouraged to make use of the mopping exercise
According to the Ministry of Home affairs, the mopping-up exercise focuses on various crucial areas to maintain accurate records and ensure legal compliance within the region. These areas include addressing delays and discrepancies in late birth, marriage, and death registrations, as well as providing support for permit, citizenship, and asylum seeker applications.
Additionally, the initiative aims to identify stateless individuals and ensure they obtain recognized legal status within the country. By tackling these key areas, the Ministry of Home Affairs seeks to streamline administrative processes and provide essential assistance to residents in need of documentation and legal status.
Princess Lindiwe acknowledged the accomplishments of previous phases of the mopping-up exercise conducted in the Shiselweni and Lubombo regions in 2023. During these phases, an impressive total of 30 892 vital events were registered, including the issuance of 18 354 birth certificates.
She encouraged a swift transition towards modernised automated certificates. She emphasised the benefits of enhanced efficiency and security in record-keeping. The minister urged all Emaswati to participate actively in the registration process and embrace the automated system.
The minister expressed confidence in the completion of the exercise by October 31st, 2024. She called upon all residents to unite in this collective effort, emphasising the importance of universal participation in this vital endeavour towards building a more organised and inclusive society.
Vusweni Chief Prince Senzangakhona thanked the minister and her officials for ensuring that they launched the exercise, stating that it was very important, as it gave accurate information about the people in the country. Prince Senzangakhona said this opportunity was actually availed by His Majesty King Mswati III, through the minister, hence it was equally important for the King to be hailed for this exercise. He said the minister was one of the people the King used for the country to accomplish its goals.
