Minister of Health asks for God's intervention
▶ Says bad news is all that he knows since appointment
▶ Says ministry has a litany of problems
▶ Bishop Mavovo Mkhonto prays for him during Philani Maswati courtesy visit
MINISTER of Health, Mduduzi Matsebula informed the Philani Maswati executive that he requires all the support available, as he has encountered numerous issues in the ministry.
Minister Matsebula, who is also a Member of Parliament for the Siphocosini Constituency, went on to state that he desperately needs God's intervention as the Ministry of Health is engulfed with a litany of problems and challenges.
The minister made these remarks during the courtesy visit from the executive Philani Mswati Charity Organisation this week at his offices in Mbabane.
Executive Member of Philani Maswati didn't waste any time but prayed for the minister by laying hands upon him.
"I need all the support that I can get as a minister, as it has proven to be tough to get things going in the Ministry of Health. As you all know, many emaswati cannot afford hospital costs. Not only that but there is also the problem of drug shortages. When I became a minister, I found a shortage of staff, dilapidated structures, and many more," said the Minister.
Minister Matsebula highlighted that the problems or challenges faced by the Ministry of Health need divine intervention for the benefit of the country.
The minister expressed his decision to stop reading newspapers due to the constant negative news about the Ministry of Health. Moreover, he assured Philani Maswati of the Ministry's support and promised that the government would address the subvention matter.
The minister emphasized the interconnectedness of Philani Maswati, the Ministry of Health, and the well-being of the elderly, encouraging regular communication with the executive.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of strengthening the relationship between the ministry and the organization.
"We acknowledge the need for a clinic next to the Philani Centre. As a ministry, we will ensure that an outreach program is established, with a doctor visiting the centre either weekly or fortnightly," pledged Minister Matsebula yesterday.
Additionally, the Minister expressed concern that the 25-kilometre distance between Philani Centre and Dvokolwako Clinic was too far.
Meanwhile, Minister Matsebula pledged full support for the Embiveni Biggest Braai event and stated that he will encourage senior administration to support the event by purchasing entry tickets.
Philani Maswati to build centres across all regions
During the courtesy visit from the executive of Philani Maswati Charity Organization to the Minister of Health, Mduduzi Mathebula, the Chairman of the organization revealed exciting plans for the expansion of services dedicated to the elderly in Eswatini.
"His Majesty King Mswati III and the Indlovukazi have both expressed their desire to see Philani Centers established in all regions of the country, emphasizing the importance of caring for the elderly population," Former Ndzingeni Member of Parliament, Lutfo Dlamini told the Minister.
It should be noted that Philani Maswati, known for its dedicated work in catering to the needs of the elderly, has been a beacon of hope and support for many in the community. With a mission to provide comfort, companionship, and critical assistance to older individuals, the organization has garnered widespread praise for its compassionate approach to elder care.
The planned expansion of Philani Centers represents a significant advancement in addressing the needs of the elderly in Eswatini. By establishing these centres in all regions, more individuals will have access to essential services, support, and resources tailored to their specific requirements.
Chairman Lutfo Dlamini's commitment to realizing the King's vision demonstrates the organization's dedication to serving the community and upholding its values of compassion and care. The upcoming development holds promise for improving the quality of life for elderly individuals and ensuring that they receive the attention and assistance they deserve.
"As plans begin for the establishment of Philani Centers in various regions, stakeholders and community members alike eagerly anticipate the positive impact this expansion will have on elderly citizens throughout Eswatini. Philani Maswati's continued growth and outreach exemplify a steadfast commitment to enhancing the well-being of the elderly and promoting a culture of support and respect for older members of society," the former Legislator pointed out.
Meanwhile, Dlamini urged the Minister to pave the way for the organization to receive a government subvention once again.
"We once received E300 000, 10 years ago and I am pleading for another government subvention as we accounted for every cent in the last subvention," pleaded the former Legislator.
How do you find or pursue a passion if you don’t know what it is? What does “dreaming big” look like if you’re not sure what the dream is in the first place? It’s one thing to set off to find your passion, it’s another to find it.
When it comes to finding your passion, we need to allow for time, trial and error, and an acceptance that time might pass doing something that doesn’t fit the bill exactly.
Finding your passion is rarely an A-to-b journey. There are often twists and turns, detours, and re-routes. Staying on course depends on whether you have a fixed or growth mindset.
For one to be successful they need to have a growth mindset.
With a growth mindset, you believe that talent is something to be developed, not something you either have or don’t have at birth. Talent is merely a starting point. Someone with a growth mindset understands that anyone who has achieved greatness did so with many years of practice and learning.
They don’t see their skillset as fixed. They believe they can get better through effort and when they do improve, they point to the effort as the cause. Finding your passion depends on how you define the concept of “finding it” in the first place. Simply start with something you’re interested in and keep going from there.
One interest leads to the next. You’re developing. It’s a process of discovery. One of my favourite tracks by Soldiers Of Twilight featuring Julie Monnin – Believe is a song s I always turn to for inspiration. If yo you believe you are halfway there, you can re reach whatever you set your mind to if you look within, and your life will change. In t this week’s article, we chat with Thand Thandukwazi Hadebe. Someone, who through thro passion and his love for the th arts industry, has over the past few years proved that tha with hard work and ded dedication, you can achieve anything you set your mind m to.
Eswatini Sunday: The Groove General! Welcome to Eswatini Sunday. How has life been?
Danko please! Life has been interesting, to say s the least, it has been tough yet fulfilling. fulfil God’s been good to me when I look at all my lows and highs, highs even the times I thought though I wouldn’t pull through, throug He made sure I did.
Eswatini Sunday: ‘Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change’ Can you take us through the ‘changes’ in your life?
Kwavele kwakhala ‘Electrocandi - Changes in My Life’ in my head after reading that. I am one person who has always embraced change no matter how uncomfortable or challenging it may be, there’s a lot of growth in change.
Eswatini Sunday: From being a village boy in Big Bend to The Groove General and currently rocking at one of the best clubs in Vaal. How has this transition been?
The transition had a shaky start, to say the least. I came here to further my studies, but I didn’t realize how much I needed to play music for people until I started getting depressed and questioning my decision to even come here. God’s timing is always accurate because I bumped into Tibo DW, who some know there as an EDM sensation a couple of years ago, and he got me into spaces where I can listen to, create and even share music.
Tibo DW is also the person who plugged me into the Kapito’s gig, we then formed a duo called ‘TNT’ and things took shape for me.
I am currently living in a reality that I prayed for when I arrived in the Vaal. Music has always y come naturally y to me, , so much so that I tend to mark significant moments in my life with whatever music I was listening to a that time. I am a believer in the saying “You are where you are supposed to be” and that’s one thing that has kept me going when the imposter syndrome kicks, in and I start secondguessing myself. I am right where I am supposed to be.
Eswatini Sunday: How are you able to balance between school and ‘groove’
Someone told me that I make it look easy, just the other day. Truth is it’s tough, at first it was easier because Djing was just a hobby for me until I started realizing that I’ve got something and I started taking this talent seriously. Now both academia and entertainment are top priorities in my life so it’s a constant battle to make time for both and put in n as much effort in the one as I do the other.
Eswatini Sunday: May is Mental Health Month. How do you as Thandukwazi manage your mental health?
The decks have done more for me than a year of therapy has done, I went to therapy for a while so I know. I’ve gotten to understand so much about people and myself through Djing because you need to understand that my, as a DJ, is to use my taste and selection of music to take you on a j journey y for an hour.
People go out for all sorts of reasons but for that hour I have to make sure that I heal whatever hurts, I amplify whatever is great and I create a moment, a memory. To heal others has become my therapy and for that, I am truly grateful.
Eswatini Sunday. You had a moment with South African actress/dj Pearl Thusi recently. The interaction had a lot of people talking, but being someone who has been in the industry and met a lot of celebrities, how different was this moment for you?
I think what got people talking was how intimate the moment was and hones honestly, it was. It was a genuine conversation a about her set and how impressed I was because be the last time I saw her she was a host hos and MC at Montana in Johannesburg.
I have dealt with a lot of celebrities over the years and many tend to have la largerthan-life egos which for me is off-putting so I’d usually not engage too much muc to avoid being annoyed.
It’s also interesting how the best interactions usually come from the A-list celebrities, the superstars.
Pearl Thusi reminded me how we’re we’ all just people trying our best, the diffe difference with us as entertainers is that ours is i out there for the world to see.
Eswatini Sunday: What can we expect e from the Groove General this year?
I can’t share too much at this cu current moment but what I can say is that we w are building this name into a brand in all sense of the word. I am in a space where I have ha to make some key decisions and ensure that I follow through to the highest order.
ncaban@rubiconmedia.group
THE Ministry of Education and Training has issued a grave warning regarding the increasing prevalence of school violence and gangsterism, which is severely affecting the safety and psychological well-being of both students and educators across Eswatini.
The Ministry has emphasized that this growing trend is creating an environment of fear and violence, which undermines the primary objective of educational institutions to provide safe and conducive learning spaces.
This critical concern was brought to the forefront during a recent National Coordinating Unit (NCU) Indaba held at the Sibane Sami Hotel in Ezulwini. The event gathered key stakeholders, including the Swaziland Network Campaign for Education For All (SWANCEFA), the Ministry of Education and Training, the Royal Eswatini Police Services, and His Majesty’s Correctional Services. All stakeholders committed to working together to address the escalating problem of gangsterism in schools.
During the Indaba, Lindiwe Dlamini, the Director of Educational Testing, Guidance, and Psychological Services (ETGPS) under the Ministry of Education and Training, highlighted the critical issue of escalating school violence and gangsterism in Eswatini. She said the meeting was convened in response to the growing concerns about safety within educational institutions. Dlamini began her remarks by stating the dire purpose of the session. “This extraordinary session of the NCU meeting has been convened due to the alarming rise in school violence, particularly gangsterism within our schools. This issue poses significant threats not only to the safety of our learners and educators but also to the integrity of our educational system as a whole,” she asserted.
The Director emphasized that recent stakeholder meetings, including the last Regional Coordinating Units (RCUS) and National Coordinating Units (NCUS), have increasingly spotlighted the issue of gangsterism. She noted that data, stakeholder feedback, and reports from schools depict a concerning scenario where educational institutions are becoming perilous environments for both learners and educators. “This is just informal data we have; more research is needed to better understand the root causes, drivers, and impact of gangsterism, and to inform targeted strategies to close the tap on this menace,” Dlamini explained.
Dlamini elaborated on the severe consequences of gangsterism and highlighted its extensive impact. “The impact of gangsterism goes beyond isolated incidents: it threatens the safety of our learners and educators and undermines the integrity of the entire educational system,” she said.
She pointed out that the psychological well-being of both students and teachers is severely compromised, creating an environment of fear and violence that disrupts learning, lowers academic performance, and can lead to increased dropout rates. “The integrity and efficacy of our educational system are at stake,” she warned. Director Lungile called for a comprehensive understanding of gangsterism, noting that it does not occur in isolation but is intertwined with broader societal issues such as the normalization of violence, adult criminality, and socioeconomic challenges.
“These issues extend beyond the confines of the school environment: to effectively combat gangsterism, we must adopt a multi-sectoral approach, and this includes collaboration between various sectors such as education, law enforcement, social welfare, and CSO partners,” she urged. She stressed the importance of grounding efforts in existing policy frameworks like the School Violence Prevention and Response Strategy, Cstl/indaba, and the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act, which provide a solid foundation for collective actions against school violence. Dlamini further expressed that the Indaba’s purpose was to strengthen collective dialogue and chart a multi-sectoral roadmap for collaborative strategies to combat gangsterism.
“Working together, we aim to inform the pathway of our collective efforts towards fostering a safe and conducive learning environment,” she stated.