FOCUS ON HLANE BUGANU FESTIVAL: Mixed feelings over ex-MP’s E20 000 kangas, T-shirts
HLANE – There were mixed reactions from Dvokodvweni Lutsango after their former MP Musa Sitezi Dlamini distributed kangas and T-shirts worth about E20 000.
It was gathered that the former legislator distributed the items at the marquee that was prepared for the area’s Lutsango during the course of this year’s Marula Festival final leg held at Hlane Royal Residence.
Some members of the regiment linked Dlamini’s contribution to an early campaign for the upcoming national elections, while others believed there was nothing sinister as they knew him to be a giver.
The members of the regiment spread the news about the donation while moving around the royal residence. “Sitezi is distributing kangas and T-shirts at the marquee. He might be campaigning for the upcoming elections,” some Lutsango were heard saying.
Interject
Others were quick to interject and said: “Sitezi has been a long-time giver in the area. It is not a surprise to get such gifts from him. This has nothing to do with campaigning,” said some Lutsango.
The former legislator was seen driving around with the area’s Bucopho, Seven Days Tsabedze, and another unidentified man in a motor vehicle. Worth noting is that Tsabedze was the most influential campaigning messenger (galajane) when Dlamini was elected into the 10th Parliament. Upon seeing him, some members of the regiment asked for more kangas and T-shirts, claiming that they missed out during the distribution.
Dlamini promised to provide the gifts as per the request.
In an interview, he confirmed having distributed the kangas and T-shirts.
Asked what motivated his decision, Dlamini said he contributed from his heart as a member of Malindza with a homestead established on Eswatini Nation Land.
“I come from Malindza Royal Kraal, where I am the chief’s subject. If a royal kraal approaches me and asks for assistance, who am I to refuse. In short, I was approached by the royal kraal for assistance,” he said.
Dlamini said he spent around E20 000 on the distributed items.
It is worth noting that Dlamini has not been the only person in the political field to gift kangas to Lutsango. Some MPs, tindvuna tetinkhundla as well as bucopho had made it a norm to make contributions during cultural events. For example, Ezulwini Bucopho Menzi Mndzebele contributed E1 000 while Indvuna Yenkhundla Bhekisisa Bhembe contributed kangas when Ezulwini Lutsango left for Buhleni Royal Residence.