Country heading in wrong direction economically – Former senator
GRAVE CONCERN:
He stated that this was underpinned by emaSwati’s complete departure from the practices that saw the country grow, albeit at a slow rate. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllllllllllllllllll
M– ‘‘Our situation in Eswatini is so depressing”
Speaking to Eswatini News, the former Senator Mbho Shongwe pointed out that every time he watched or listened to the news, he would get depressed.
“Every morning when one sees the headlines, one can’t help but ask himself a number of questions. One thing that we all can’t dispute is that this country is moving in the wrong direction economically and a great majority of us see that,” the former senator opined.
Former Senator Mbho Shongwe.
He stated that this was underpinned by emaSwati’s complete departure from the practices that saw the country grow, albeit at a slow rate, in the past.
He further went on to state that these included a proper analysis of the country’s economy.
“So that we know what is happening and why; a proper planning of our economy with people at the very centre of our policies and plans (this is evident in our old National Development Plans where policies like construction of clinics with the objective of limiting the distance to be travelled by our people within eight kilometres, among others, were clearly spelled out); conducting proper project assessment and planning to ensure feasibility,” explained Shongwe.
He clarified that these were replaced with whim, where someone somewhere just decides what project should be prioritised without a clear policy underpinning or a cost benefit analysis.
Disturbing
“What is disturbing is that the newspaper reports suggest that we have taken the position to beat, maim, kill or incarcerate anyone that points out these ills in our economy and demands change. I ask myself what it is that we are hoping for. Are we hoping that people are suddenly going to believe everything is fine and stop complaining? Or are we trying to beat them to submission so that they allow us to drive them to this donga in silence? What I don’t get is why we have taken this position because we all win if we address these shortcomings,” the former senator wondered. Shongwe pointed out that there were incompetent people, who thrived on undeserved appointments who, however, may lose but he seriously did not think they should be promoting that culture anyway.
“I guess this raises a further question that says, as the only potential losers, are these the people behind this ridiculous stance we have taken? Why are we so reluctant to engage and solve our problems, a stance which would deliver a win-win outcome? It pains some of us to see this country in this deadly route and endless conflict,” said Shongwe.
Government and the authorities of Eswatini are undated with calls for a National Dialogue amid the political turbulence from last year, June/July. Pro-democratic groups and activists see the National Dialogue
ABOUT MBHO SHONGWE:
Shongwe is a liberal Democrat that embraces human rights and cultural and traditional norms, especially those of the Eswatini nation. He believes on not forcing people on religious ideology but he says marriage is a common factor.
“I’m Christian and subscribe to justice, fairness, peace and self determination. The rule of law is a guarantee for respect to all and culture and tradition must endorse the principles of life. Have experienced the combination of civil and traditional marriage and their good and evil.
Had hands on in a number of traditional events and rituals. I divorced, married, widower and with God guidance working to start a new life,” he explained.
as a solution to the arson and killings currently taking place in the country. Human Rights Commission confirmed that over 37 emaSwati were killed allegedly by armed forces.
Since the beginning of the year over 10 security officers have been assassinated by faceless people. Acting Prime Minister Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku has recently told senators that government was committed in assembling the dialogue and that being against it would be in defiance to His Majesty King Mswati III.