New PM a sportsman

SUNDAY greetings! We at the Eswatini Sport a n d Re c r e a t i o n Co u n c i l ( ESRC) advocate f or healthy l i ving. We want to see not just a healthy nation but a fit one as well.

It should be common knowledge by now that a healthy body equates to a healthy mind. Once we have healthy minds, rest assured we will have a vibrant nation that doctors stay away from. That is the ultimate goal.

Of course as an organisation we strive to contribute directly to the government’s goals and objectives in the spirit of human social development wherever we can.

It is in that premise that we welcome and also congratulate the country’s new Prime Minister, Cleopas Dlamini.

The sports movement in particular should have a reason to be optimistic, as Dlamini is a well- known sportsman.

His constituency is football where he served in one of the country’s oldest and one of the most successful football clubs, Mbabane Highlanders. Until recently, he was among t he t eam’s patrons. This no doubt augurs well for the sporting fraternity. We know he will not turn his back on sports. Instead, he is likely to give us priority, knowing the ins and outs of our sports.

We wish him well, as he assumes the hot seat and we know that sports will remain closest to his heart during his tenure.

All roads lead to Nkwene

Of course, largely depending on the COVID- 19 situation, which we must say we are monitoring closely as an organisation, focus is now on the Nkwene Inkhundla.

We will of course also rely on the government and the health experts to guide us going forward. The number of participants will obviously be determined by the situation on the ground. This is despite the fact that we always want a full house in our programme.

This l ucky i nkhundla ( Nkwene) i s earmarked to host our Shukuma Eswatini.

Thi s r e f r e s h i n g p r o g r a mme i s n o w n o longer what it used to be. It has revolved to become a premium platform for public engagement. It is now bigger than before and no longer just concentrates on healthy living issues.

Instead it now delivers directly to our people services that they would otherwise struggle to access. Yes, our Shukuma programme now also concentrates more on empowering our people in human and social development issues. The programme now encompasses the mandate of the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs.

It should therefore not surprise anyone to see culture, especially cultural dances being i ncorporated and t he Youth Fund matters being explained in detail

It is what we are. It’s what we do. Of course, with the new approach, rest assured that we will be bringing more and more of our recognised national sports associations with us to complete the package.

Our associations, which we value so much, need not be reminded that the programme a l s o off e r s t hem t he perf e c t pl a t f or m t o showcase to the world what they are made of. It also gives them the opportunity to spread their wings by establishing clubs in these areas to the advantage of some of our rural folk that do not have the means to actually join the sports teams based in urban areas.

Soon we will cover the whole country, as nothing will stand in our way. Yes, we are changing the face of sports a day at a time.

Until next week, sport for all: sport for life!

“One man practising sports is much more effective than 50 preaching it”.

This inspirational quote should indeed be the wind beneath everyone’s wings in this, our beautiful kingdom.