35 Senate hopefuls vying for 10 seats

By Bahle Gama and Siphesihle Dlamini

With 10 seats available for the House of Assembly-elected Senators, 35 candidates were nominated by Members of Parliament.

On Tuesday, MPs in the House of Assembly nominated candidates who will make up the 10 Senators from the august house and 20 more will be appointed by His Majesty King Mswati III. Of the 35 Senate hopefuls, 23 (65 per cent) are men 12 (35 per cent) are women and five are needed from each gender.

The nomination of senators is according to the Senate Elections Act of 2013. According to the Constitution, the Senate must not exceed 31 members. All senators serve five-year terms. Each senator must be at least 18 years old, a citizen, a registered voter, and have paid all taxes or made arrangements satisfactory to the Commissioner of Taxes.

The nominated candidates for the 12th Parliament include returning senators, former ministers, sports personalities, and businesspeople. Of the nominated candidates, they include former Senator and Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi, former Senator Goodness Malambe, and Busi Alexia Dlamini along with former regional MP Nkosingisite Lorraine Nxumalo.

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Former Minister of Health in the 10th Parliament Sibongile Ndlela was also nominated. Making it into the list were also Ezulwini Mayor Bongile Mbingo, Cheshire Homes Director Nonhlanhla Khabo Dlamini, Lindiwe Patricia Ngwenya, and Mcebo Dlamini-Shongwe.

The male nominees included former senators in the 11th Parliament Tony Sibandze and Ndumiso Mdluli.
Other nominees include Mzwandile Hlatjwako, Zombodze Robert Magagula, Wandile Sizwe Themba, Sibusiso Mndzebele, Sicelo Cedusizi Dlamini, Bhutana Samuela Dlamini, Thandolwenkhosi Dlamini, Shadrack Maphosa, Phinda Malangeni Dlamini, Christopher Muzi Matsebula, Simanga Thwala, Manzolwandle Gamedze, Ntandoyenkosi Mlangeni, Richard Sabelo Shongwe, Siphelele Majaha Mkhonta, Patric Mavimbela, Majobha Magagula, Adam Bomber Mthethwa and Thokozani Mamba.

Post the nomination, the hopefuls submitted their letters accepting the nominations and had their details including fingerprints taken for vetting. The house will return on Thursday for voting and determination of the fate of the 35.

. . . DPM’s WIFE, ETA CEO NOMINATED
Among the women nominated for Senate is former Deputy Prime Minister’s wife Dimpho Masuku. Masuku said she was humbled by the nomination and opted not to say much, adding that “the results on Thursday will speak for themselves.”

Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) CEO Linda Nxumalo was also nominated, and she expressed her delight over the nomination. She said she was baffled and humbled that the MPs would see her worthy to join the race with the intent to play a role in parliament.

“I am truly thankful to be entrusted and to be seen worthy for the Senate,” she said. Are Tony Sibandze, Mzwandile Hlatshwako, Zombodze Magagula, and others frontrunners? If the number of nominations received on Tuesday by some of the Senate hopefuls could be anything to go by, Tony Sibandze, Mzwandile Hlatshwako, Zombodze Magagula, Simanga Thwala and Mbongiseni Malinga stand to attain the much-desired Senate seat.

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Former Senator Tony Sibandzewho got more than four nominations alongside Mzwandile Hlatshwayo, Simanga Tfwala as well and Zombodze Magagula who received more than three nominations.

Another was Mbongiseni Malinga who received more than three nominations. Thus, it begs the question of whether these candidates are runner-ups in this race and whether the voting process will prove otherwise.
Only five seats await to be filled by male hopefuls and the stiff competition is visible to all.

. . . MPs URGE SPEAKER TO PROMOTE UNITY IN PARLY
MPs have urged newly elected Speaker Jabulani Mabuza to promote unity and foster a sense of togetherness within the parliament. The call for unity was made during the nomination of senators at the House of Assembly on Tuesday, where Mabuza was formally introduced as the new Speaker.

The MPs stressed the importance of fairness and impartiality in Mabuza’s role as the Speaker, highlighting the need for him to rise above divisions or camps. Prince Lindani, one of the appointed MPs, warmly congratulated Mabuza and emphasized the values of service delivery and working for the betterment of the country.

He also highlighted some core values for the esteemed seat that Mabuza should abide by.
Nkwene MP Sikhumbuzo Dlamini emphasized the pivotal role of the Speaker in maintaining peace within the parliament. Dlamini urged Mabuza to refrain from aligning himself with any camp and instead address issues with balance and fairness.

Similarly, Lobamba Lomdzala MP, Marwick Khumalo echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the Speaker should serve as a humble servant, irrespective of the esteemed position. Khumalo expressed satisfaction in Mabuza’s reputation as a God-fearing individual, confident that he would lead with dignity.

To ensure a smooth flow of parliamentary proceedings, Khumalo highlighted the availability of the Attorney General (AG) for legal consultation, particularly in cases where the Constitution may be misunderstood. LaMgabhi MP Sicelo Jele praised Mabuza’s dignity and expressed optimism in his ability to drive the country’s development.

Jele underscored the importance of fairness in the debates of various motions within the parliament.
MP appointee Thulisile Dladla also expressed confidence in Mabuza’s ability to uphold the Speaker’s position with dignity and esteem.

Speaker Jabulani Mabuza expressed gratitude to their Majesties for entrusting him with this significant responsibility. He acknowledged the weight of his role, noting the importance of prioritizing emaSwati and ensuring peace. Mabuza also noted their Majesties’ satisfaction with the conduct of the House of Assembly during the nomination of MPs.

Lastly, Deputy Speaker Madala Mhlanga pledged his unwavering support to Mabuza, promising to stand by him throughout his tenure. Mhlanga also emphasized the importance of respect and professionalism within the House of Assembly.

 . . . ‘BOMBER’ HOPES TO ADD VALUE IN PARLIAMENT
Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA) President Adam ‘Bomber’ Mthethwa has been nominated for the 12th Parliament Senate position.

Mthethwa was among the 23 male Senate hopefuls nominated on Thursday. In a brief phone interview, Mthethwa said he was thankful to have been nominated and hoped that in the event he makes it he would add value to what is happening in Parliament.

He disclosed that the duty of participating in the elections in his case began in 1993 when he did so as a candidate. He continued so until later as a candidate when he started in the Senate from 2003 to 2008 and from 2013 to 2018.

The duty of participating in the elections in my case started in 1993 as a voter and later as a candidate.
“Maybe it is my lucky period that one passes, and I succeed in the next. I am happy about the nomination. I hope ngilutfungo lelicinile hhay umbole’celeni,” Mthethwa said.