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This happened yesterday during the Official Opening of the First Session of the 12th Parliament, where the King delivered the Speech from the Throne.
His Majesty noted that many of the attendees of the event were part of a diverse group of politicians; many of women were starting their political journey.
“We welcome you all to this daunting task after securing the support of your constituencies. We wish you success in fulfilling this significant national role, which entails enacting laws and providing oversight to drive our national development agenda.”
The King said the remarkable achievements of previous politicians were also recognised and that their efforts positioned the country favourably for a strong 2024 economic start.
To the new politicians, the King advised that they should establish a collaborative partnership with the other branches of government and enhance service delivery to the nation with the highest level of efficiency and speed.
“As MPs, it is crucial to demonstrate unquestionable integrity, credibility, trustworthiness, respect and a firm dedication to national unity at all times. You have a responsibility to protect the nation, its constitution, and the system of governance.
“You have a huge task of addressing the challenges that lie ahead. It is time to roll up your sleeves and put your best foot forward to ensure that we attain our aspirations of First World status,” the King said.
His Majesty mentioned that during Sibaya, emaSwati showed their gratitude for the peaceful environment and expressed their desire for progress.
A take away from the submissions, according to the King, was the agenda they set for government and that it was important for Parliament to follow through on these tasks.
The King said the primary focus was to address the pressing issue of unemployment, which was also being witnessed around the world.
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“This challenge has been exacerbated by the far-reaching impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is vital for Members of Parliament to address these issues and come up with well-established strategies to achieve good economic growth for the country.”
Meanwhile, His Majesty also touched on the country’s development initiatives, which he said fell within and contributed to the 2030 Agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union (AU) agenda, 2063.
His Majesty said in line with AU agenda, there had been a repeated call for the silencing of guns so that countries can pursue development.
Elaborating, His Majesty applauded the AU for declaring 2024 the year of education and that Eswatini will remain focused on transforming the education system for the benefit of its children.
“In reflecting on our journey to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we take pride in the strides made in sectors such as health and education, but to mention a few. We also acknowledge the persistent challenges in areas like poverty, food security and employment, some of which have been impacted by the multiple crises faced across the globe in recent times.”
His Majesty emphasised that the goal towards the SDGs and Agenda 2063 was a collective responsibility and that Eswatini reaffirmed its commitment to the ambitious plan and worked tirelessly towards a more sustainable, equitable, just and prosperous nation.