BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE– The Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Themba Masuku, has come out to say Tinkhundla is the best governance for emaSwati as it has a litany of benefits.
He was speaking during the handover ceremony in Mayiwane Inkhundla, shortly after his speech Masuku offered advice to the community members.
Using his humour and eloquence, Masuku broke the ice by informing the residents that they needed to go out there and vote.
“After everything is said and done we all know that the Tinkhundla system is the best form of governance for emaSwati and when you look at the benefits and the jobs provided by the system,” he said.
In a true Eswatini way, Masuku’s sentiments were met with clapping hands and ululation.
He further said community members should not allow faceless people to mobilise them into not registering and voting.
“This thing is serious, vote for the leader you want and do not allow people to vote for you because then, your vision will never be implemented,” he said.
Meanwhile, the DPM then revealed that His Majesty’s Government has made it a priority to provide clean water and adequate sanitation for all, as stated in the National Development Strategy (NDS).
The country is also keen to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 6 –on access to clean water and safe sanitation by 2030.
“I, therefore, urge development partners and WASH partners including government departments to strengthen collaboration with my Ministry and support us in this endeavor in order for the country to achieve the SDGs by 2030,” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by acting Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Jabulani ‘Buy Cash’ Mabuza, who said access to sustainable clean water remains a challenge in the country, especially in the rural areas. According to the Vulnerability Assessment Report of 2019, access to clean water in rural areas was at 69 percent, and access to sanitation services was at 58 percent with only 24 percent of the Eswatini households practicing hand washing.
“Food security remains a challenge with about 20 percent of the population experiencing severe acute food insecurity. “The provision of clean water will improve the health and livelihoods of the communities. The water qualities for these communities have been tested and deemed fit for human consumption. Furthermore, this project will contribute towards poverty alleviation through the introduction of rainwater harvesting technologies for backyard gardens thus improving food security in this Inkhundla and other areas,” said Mabuza.
