Revealed: Top 5 leadership for Busi’s new party
MBABANE – Former Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) National Chairperson, Busi Mayisela, will assume the position of President in her newly-formed political party.
An investigation by The Eswatini News team revealed that the new political formation, after an internal discussion held between founding members, Mayisela was given the task of leading the organisation as its president. The sources said a top six leadership was chosen and given six months to launch and lead the formation to its first congress.
Out of the top six, one member was put on hold as they were still in discussions on logistics surrounding his appointment.
The new political party is yet to be officially christened and its name will be revealed to the public during it launch, scheduled for the second weekend of December. Founding members of the organisation requested that the name be kept a secret until the public launch.
The newly-appointed National Executive Committee (NEC) is made up of three members who hold PhD qualifications. The other members have vast experience in politics and have been involved in the day-to-day running of SWALIMO.
Mayisela will be deputised by Dr Siphetfo Dlamini who held the office of secretary general (SG) at SWALIMO and his then deputy, Gift Mandlenkosi Dlamini, will hold the position of SG in the new party. Resigned SWALIMO Deputy Secretary General Phephile Ndzinisa has been appointed to the Office of National Organising Secretary (NOS) in the new political party.
REVEAlED
The sources revealed that two members who were not part of SWALIMO leadership were also co-opted into the new party’s NEC.
One of the two new members includes Dr Nokuhle Madolo Mtegha, who was appointed to the position of Treasurer General. Dr Madolo Mtegha had not responded to our questions at the time of compiling this report.
“The shared idea among the founding members is that the organisation should not delay its congress and a consensus was reach for Mayisela to lead as president. The feeling was based on the traction that she has already developed which could be good for the organisation. Her popularity in the struggle was viewed as an added advantage and the founding members pledged their support to her, even though she had attracted resentment from members of her former movement,” said the source.
Mayisela confirmed the appointments and emphasised that they were co-opted on interim basis and their mandate was to lead the infant organisation towards its first congress.
“The mandate is simple and everything has been made clear. Our duties were laid out and the target is to launch the political party and then start preparations toward its first congress. I know it is a tall task for me but I am comforted by the fact that the interim NEC is made up of powerful and well-spoken individuals. We will work hard and make sure that that the party grows to higher standards,” said Mayisela.
The businesswoman thanked the founding members of the organisation and mentioned that the organisation was going to work for the welfare of the people.
New SG, Gift Dlamini confirmed that he was a new member in the new political party.
“Yes, it is true that I will be part of the interim NEC of the new political party, yet to be launched. I am one that is guided by principles in life and my decisions are always based on a set of principles.
ACCOMPlIsH
“There is unfinished business that one has to accomplish collectively with comrade Mayisela and the rest of the mass democratic movement leaders, especially those that I will be serving with,” said Gift.
He also revealed that he was ready to re-join the Swaziland Democratic Movement (SWADEPA) after resigning from SWALIMO. He said he changed his mind after learning that the new organisation was going to charter a new ground that none of the existing political movements had scaled yet.
He said the new political party presented a case and project plan that was too appetising to ignore and that was a serious persuading factor for him.
“As I had previously said, my primary plan was to re-join SWADEPA, however, the project that was presented to me was too appetising to ignore.
“Those who have worked with me will tell you that I never say no to a challenge. I am challenging myself more than anything. A political party is a tool to organise people for a common purpose, mainly to participate in government. This new political party will endeavour to do just that, organise people so that they can participate in government,” he said.
He further emphasised that the new political party was not a breakaway or a reaction to what happened at SWALIMO. He said the new party was an answer to a need for the people.
“The new political party is not a reaction to anything but a response to a call of likeminded people who see a space for such a political formation. That is what is meant by multiparty democracy, people being allowed freedom of association,” added Gift.
He encouraged the nation to be on the lookout for registration details after the launch and to consider finding a political home that was warm and ready to house all kinds of people.