Hopes to elect the best
This was the mindset ten years ago in that community. It remains to be seen that with more voter education about the roles of an MP, about capabilities and age just being a number, the youth will finally enter the race to have their voice heard in parliament this year. Imagine a youth minister aged 25 or 30. Indeed it would be a case of ‘nothing for us without us’. That is not to say the current minister is not great; he has done a commendable job when you look over all the policies and sponsorships he has secured over the past five years. Despite that, more young voices are needed in parliament even if they may not make it to the minister level, but we need to hear them and have their input in national legislative issues. But they need the same youth to vote for them. The same youth thought to vote for capable young people, not just youth, for youth’s sake.
THOUGHTS
There are interesting questions and thoughts that always come up when it is election time. One of them is that more women will be nominated instead of the very low numbers in previous years. It would be historical to see the masses make their mark and decide to be the generation that gives women their deserved seat on the development table. We have seen many times that women indeed have the power to lead capably as men, and when it comes to leadership, gender should not play a part, and they should be considered. We have seen many initiatives, especially during International Women’s Day in the past five years, that have illuminated to the voters’ dozens of credible women capable of being great leaders, even in politics. This list is just a small one of a fertile population with many wise, hardworking and impactful women leaders. We trust that this time people will have confidence in them when they go to the ballots to see how this change can perhaps influence their futures.
The case for women politicians is motivated by various experts, with one website noting their impact as more than just being members.
Interestingly women make up about half of the world’s population but not just in Eswatini but all over the world. Women continue to be under-represented as voters. Even in places where there are political parties, they are not always made party leaders. At one point, it was reported that just over 20 per cent of parliamentarians worldwide are women. “Evidence is strong that as more women are elected, countries experience higher standards of living; the priorities of families, women and minorities are addressed; and confidence in democracy goes up,” reads one report on the need for more women MPs globally. It goes on to state that in places as diverse as Croatia, Morocco, Rwanda, South Africa and Timor-Leste, having more female lawmakers led to legislation related to anti-discrimination, domestic violence, inheritance and child support.
This builds a strong case for more women MPs, and such statements cannot be contested. Women make a huge difference in any community and economy.
Come to the voting stage; we look forward to an exciting time when people will indeed make their vote count.
A time when we will get a glimpse of the kind of candidates this generation of voters will be looking to get to represent them. And most importantly, it should be a time that we vote wisely because now, more than ever in history, we are more exposed to information on how to make the best choices. The constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini is available for free download. It gives one a good view of the election processes and the voters’ rights and responsibilities. It is a time of nation-building, and the only way to have their voice heard is by registering and making their vote count.