By EDN Reporter
THE Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development has successfully held discussions on the Social Accountability Initiative framework with various traditional leaders in the Shiselweni Region.
Held at Shiselweni Regional Education Offices in Nhlangano on Monday, the event was attended by the Regional Administrator (RA) Peter Mamba and different Princes and chiefs who thanked the Ministry and the government for bringing up such an initiative when the country needs accountability the most.
The RA welcomed all the various attendees and highlighted that this is an important gathering that the country needs to move forward. The Director of Decentralization in the Ministry of Tinkhundla, Dumisani Sithole said that this initiative aims to enhance communication and cooperation between the people and their local politicians.
He also presented that once this initiative is rolled out, it will help create good communication for the politicians and the people. According to Sithole, the social accountability initiative will facilitate the development of communities and constituencies. Sithole who facilitated the discussions on behalf of Minister David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala who was absent in the event.
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Dumisani Sithole explained that this initiative has been passed through all the relevant stakeholders including Parliament, Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) and the nation which involves the traditional leadership.
He also expressed that this initiative was brought because the ministry noted that there is no political engagement between the people and their local politicians which then escalates hindrances towards development.
“The reason that this initiative today is presented before chiefs is for the fact that you represent His Majesty King Mswati III and the nation and to remind emaSwati that everyone performing national duties is responsible and accountable,” Sithole said. The initiative is guided by the Policy of Decentralization and the Constitution of the Kingdom of Swaziland (2005).
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The traditional leaders applauded the initiative, and some made various inputs and sought clarity. Chief Dambuza Lukhele sought clarity on who is responsible for holding Members of Parliament (MPs) accountable between the Ministry of Tinkhundla and Parliament.
Again, Lukhele highlighted that the initiative is not the first one to be rolled out, but the ministry must also find out why it took so long for the government to implement it. Sithole responded to all the questions by assuring the chief that this initiative will be properly monitored and as a ministry, they will make sure it is successful.
Chief Zabeni Shiba of Tibondzeni also recommended the ministry for this initiative whilst Chief Kenneth Ndlela of Bufaneni under Hosea Inkhundla asked how will the ministry ensures that there is accountability in the communities because the MPs do not present to them as traditional authorities of the communities? Sithole responded and he said that such an obligation was in the pipeline as it is being discussed with EBC.
The ministry thanked the chiefs for their availability and their various inputs on the initiative. Nyatsini Chief Mbilini Dlamini thanked the government and the ministry on behalf of the chiefs and assured them that as traditional leaders, they will assist the government in ensuring that the initiative is successful. Directing the proceedings was Shiselweni acting Regional Secretary Senamile Mbuli asked Shiselweni RA Peter Mamba to close the event.
Notable in the discussions were Tinkhundla Ministry’s Decentralization Programs Officer Nonhlanhla Tsabedze and Communications Officer Nosimilo Vilakati. The ministry will continue the exercise on September 13, 14, and 15 where they will engage Manzini, Lubombo and Hhohho traditional leaders.
