…ahead of keynote speech at Waterford Kamhlaba UWCSA
BY KWANELE TSABEDZE
MBABANE – “You are always welcome here.”
These were the words of Prime Minister Sipho Cleopas Dlamini when speaking with former president of South Africa Thabo Mbeki yesterday.
The Prime Minister received the former president on behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III yesterday.
President Mbeki is in the country to give a keynote speech at Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa, as part of their UWC Africa Week celebrations.
In his speech, the Prime Minister took a short trip down memory lane of the history between Eswatini and President Mbeki’s political party, the African National Congress (ANC). .
“The ANC and this country have a very long relationship dating to the time of His Majesty King Sobhuza II. And you, as President of South Africa and President of the ANC, did a lot to strengthen that relationship. You will always be welcome here,” said the Prime Minister.
“Eswatini and South Africa are not just neighbours; we are the same people to some extent and we speak more or less the same language. I am told that you are here also as a guest speaker at Waterford KaMhlaba, which is a school of excellence that many leaders, including from South Africa, attended,” added the Prime Minister.
According a statement by Government, President Mbeki sent his best wishes to His Majesty the King and promised to return another day.
