Silence the guns -Senate President 

By Ntombi Mhlongo
 
Senate President Pastor Lindiwe Dlamini has called on emaSwati to heed the call for silencing guns and violent behaviour.

The Senate President was speaking during the State Opening of the 5th Session of the 11th Parliament before welcoming His Majesty King Mswati III. She mentioned that the commencement of the new Parliament session occurs when the nation is filled with hope, given that His Majesty has declared that the year 2023 is a year of a ‘turnaround’.

“Your Majesty, your wise counsel, embodied in your declaration, inspires us as a nation to rise above challenges of all kinds and to focus on finding solutions that will enable us to reclaim what was lost, rebuild what has been destroyed, and restore peace,” the Senate President said.

She mentioned that Parliament was driving the national vision of attaining First World status. She mentioned that it has been a difficult and unimaginable term of Parliament following the political unrest.

“We would like to unequivocally add our voice to the call for the silencing of guns and all forms of violence, especially terrorism. Your Majesty, it would be a disservice to you and the nation, if I do not take this opportunity to encourage our friends in the Diplomatic Corp and development partners to be good guests to a good host and support the Kingdom in silencing the guns,” said Dlamini.

On another note, the Senate President reiterated that 2023 is a national election year and said she encouraged all emaSwati to come out in their numbers to be part of the whole exercise.

She said the advantage of our Tinkhundla System is that candidates elected become the direct representatives of the people who voted for them in Parliament. 

“It is for that reason that emaSwati are encouraged to register and vote,” said Dlamini.

Meanwhile, the Senate President, on behalf of all the legislators announced a gift of about seven cows to Their Majesties. Five of the cows are a gift to His Majesty King Mswati III while the two are for Her Majesty The Indlovukazi.