BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – It is important for Emaswati to know that Eswatini is neither a capitalist, nor a socialist state.
This was said by Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini today (Wednesday, May 22, 2024) at Sibane Sami Hotel in Ezulwini when he met Members of Parliament (MPs) who are members of the House of Assembly Portfolio Committee on the Office of the Prime Minister.
The premier was sharing the vision his administration had for the country and its people. He said it was important for Emaswati to know that Eswatini was neither a capitalist nor socialist state. “We are a kingdom that cares about its people and, by virtue of being African, we espouse the spirit of Ubuntu in our governance,” Dlamini said.
He said they were adopting the following strategy to ensure that we generate adequate revenue:
- Government as an active enabler
For so long, Government has been a passive enabler, inviting investors into the country. Many have set up but they are not enough to push the country’s economic growth, to reduce unemployment and to raise the living wage in the country. Therefore, the strategies that we need are those that can create more employment and raise the living wage and living standards, which are all tenets of a developed economy. This will not just happen – it needs everyone to think a certain way; to believe in the country and its people and to think big. The role of Members of Parliament, therefore, is to ensure that bills that are coming to Parliament are not restrictive but progressive to allow exponential growth. - Partnerships
For the country to strive, we need meaningful partnerships across different sectors. Government should lead by using State Owned Entities to seek partnerships with mega companies. We are challenging Government ministries, SOEs and businesses in Eswatini to come up with mega projects to implement in the country. Even if they do not have the finance, Government will work with them ensure that finance is secured. - Growth strategy
Government will borrow strategically for investment in infrastructure for capital projects as well as for returns into the economy. It is the desire of this Administration not to borrow for recurrent expenditure. We will not follow a self-adjustment programme, which is reductionist in nature. As such, we have met and requested the Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF) and the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF) to think big and globally, but invest locally. We are challenging all like-minded institutions to invest in the country by starting innovative projects instead of investing in existing projects that are outside the country.
In conclusion, the prime urged all of Emaswati to be patriotic. “Eswatini is one of the most admired and stable countries in Africa because of a constant Head of State, who is the King and also because of the peace that we have demonstrated throughout history. This is what investors need. We must not be deceived by people who are calling for political change,” he said.
He mentioned that there were a few countries, if at all, that had active political parties and were peaceful. “Political parties are divisive and as a homogenous society, we are one people, one tribe, one language and we must not desire to bring in divisive elements in our governance. We must allow our democracy to grow. Thus far, our elections yield one of the largest voter turnouts and we must seek to keep it as it is,” he said.
Dlamini urged Emaswati to protect the sovereignty of the kingdom and ensure that Eswatini belonged to Emaswati. “Therefore, even if Emaswati do not have money to lobby Parliament, decisions taken must always be on the side of Emaswati. Needless to say, we need to support our monarchy and our democracy as a country. My request to Members of Parliament is that can we work together to transform this country, to save this country and to move this country forward,” the premier concluded.
