Showing some love for Tinkhundla system

W Ehave been saying this for many years but some people chose to deny it. As so- called conservatives, we have always maintained t hat emaSwati l ove t he Tinkhundla government system. Like all facts, this one was first ridiculed, then rejected but we suggest that it should now be accepted as ` plain to see.’

If what is happening out there is n o t e v i d e n c e e n o u g h , t h e n t h e r e will never be consensus on this very important issue. Rabble- rousers and armchair political analysts should tell us if they still insist that people are sick and tired of the system. We will show them evidence of the fact that this is actually not the case.

It is just a small pity that supporters of the system have decided to practice amateur psychology and use tough love instead.

Well, what do you know? Any parent worth the title will tell you that if you love your child, you should pamper them while at the same time teaching them the difference between right and wrong. If this still fails, it is time to resort to tough love. Be a bit harsh and sometimes unfair but if you know that the objective is helping them become responsible citizens, just do it.

I n t he l a s t f e w weeks, we have seen some Tinkhundla centres being torched and chief ’s kraals attacked by fellow citizens.

The s e a r e t h e men a n d women ( mostly t he youth) who s a y t hey want democracy. They are demanding an elected prime minister, better roads everywhere, more medication in public hospitals and many other things. They also want more job opportunities and blame government for dismally failing to make this a reality in Eswatini.

Recently, a soldier who was among t hose escorting buses engaged by government to transport people to Sibaya was pelted with stones.

Elsewhere, warning shots had to be fired when protesters blocked the way for a bus that was destined for the same place. They threw stones at it as well but fortunately, there was not much damage and nobody was injured.

Another bus, which had a carrying capacity of 65, travelled more than 60 kilometres with just two people aboard. This vehicle had been expected to ferry people from as far as Mahlangatsha to Lobamba but it seems people along that long route also decided t o apply some t ough love.

From a bird’s eye view, those who ran amok a few weeks ago, destroying property, looting shops and burning down buildings do not appear among those who love the system.

They seem t o be among t he few who actually dislike it at best – and at worst, were just petty criminals who thought they would strike it rich by committing such despicable crimes.

Well, some have been said saying they regret this unwarranted behaviour. Good for them. There is a difference between tough love and abuse.

People who love the system include the three so- called pro- democracy Members of Parliament ( MPs).

Oh, there are five of them now, by the way and the number is still expected to rise, just like the ever- increasing price of electricity in Eswatini.

These gentlemen ( where are t he ladies?) want this system to be prim and proper. They want it without any shortcomings or corruption.

They also believe that wishes of the majority should always prevail.

In the past week, the MPs were in the House of Assembly demanding to know if everything was done according to the book when the new prime minister was appointed. Those who just don’t care what becomes of the Tinkhundla system kept quiet, probably thinking “atilime tiye’tjeni” ( come what may).