By EPN Reporter
MBABANE – Parliament is now issuing invitation cards to those who will be attending the anticipated opening of the First Session of the 12th Parliament.
The event, which is expected to be graced by the presence of Their Majesties, is slated for this coming Friday. Clerk to Parliament Benedict Xaba told Eswatini TV that the invitation cards were issued because they had to select people who had to attend its opening.
“We wish that all Emaswati should attend the opening of the First Session of the 12th Parliament, but that is not possible because the space for our Parliament is limited,” Xaba said. However, Xaba assured the nation that the event would be streamed on various platforms on social media and encouraged members of the public to access the event from those platforms. He said this event was important because that was where the Speech from the Throne would be delivered. Xaba described the Speech from the Throne as a direction which the country was supposed to follow for this year.
Xaba said the preparations for the event were now at an advanced stage and were almost done. He stated that even legislators from both chambers of Parliament were advised on what was expected from them on this important day. Xaba said he met the lawmakers were able to assure him that they would play their role on the day, as they knew what was expected from them. He also met Ezulwini Town Council, which also assured him of their support.
It is expected that the last rehearsals will be held tomorrow in Parliament, where Cabinet ministers, led by Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, are expected to grace the rehearsals. The weather forecasters have predicted that it could be raining on the day of the Parliament opening. However, they have also mentioned that weather was subject to change and they had not spotted something that could disturb the event, even though some heavy rains were experienced yesterday.
Without pre-empting the Speech from the Throne, members of the public have stated that His Majesty the King could touch on matters that were raised by Emaswati during the Sibaya held at Ludzidzini Royal Residence. Most issued that were thorny included unemployment, education, mining, corruption, agriculture.
Government is now working on making sure that it brings as many investors as it can to the country so that jobs can be created. It is expected that not less than 5 000 jobs be created this year. Government is also exploring mining opportunities, as some mines in places such as Mpaka and Malolotja are about to be open. Government is also surveying the availability of minerals in Shiselweni and Lubombo Regions.
