TOO FEW WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT

Times of Swaziland

8 October 2008

Disappointment as only two women appointed

By ARTHUR MORDAUNT

LOBAMBA – Yet again, acts of those in authority have been put on the spotlight regarding the implementation of the country’s constitution.

The latest involves the appointment of Members of Parliament to the House of Assembly by the king.

Constitutionally, His Majesty is supposed to appoint 10 MPs into the House to complement the 55 that are elected in the country’s constituencies.

Section 95 of the constitution states that the king, acting in his own discretion, after consulting with any bodies he may deem fit he will appoint not more than 10 members into the House.

Section 95 (2) (a) and (b) specifically states: "The nominated members of the House shall be appointed by the king so that at least half of them are female so as to represent interests, including marginalised groups, not already adequately represented in the House."

However, only two women were named in the list of the 10 appointees announced by Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) Chief Gija yesterday. These were Thulile Dladla and Princess Ncengencenge.

Interviewed, Chief Gija said theirs was only to announce the names as supplied by the appointing authority. Asked if there was any explanation given to them regarding the perceived anomaly, he said there was none.

"Presumably, we shall get an explanation in due course should there be any that is forthcoming," said the chairman.

The Co-ordinating Assembly of Non Governmental Organisations (CANGO) expressed its disappointment at the list.

CANGO Information Officer Bongiwe Zwane said they were expecting more since women did not fare well during the electoral process.

"We are hopeful though that there will be more women in Senate," said an optimistic Zwane.

CANGO was one of the organisations pushing the ‘Vote for a woman campaign.’

Constitutionally, the king is expected to appoint 20 Senators, eight of whom are supposed to be female. About 10 more will be nominated by members of the House of Assembly. Half of these should be female.

Link http://www.times.co.sz/index.php?news=2045

KING APPOINTS TWO WOMEN TO HOUSE

Swazi Observer

8 October 2008

King adds two more women to parly

By Sisho Magagula

THERE are now nine women in the House of Assemby.

This follows the appointment of two more women to join Parliament by His Majesty King Mswati III. These are Princess Ncengencenge and Thuli Dladla.

Princess Ncengencenge is a pastor, having been ordained at Jesus Calls Worship Centre in Matsapha in May this year.

Dladla is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sebenta National Institute.

Seven other female MPs were elected into the house by the electorate, and these include Hlobsile Ndlovu from Pigg's Peak, Esther Dlamini from Mbabane East, Trusty Gina from Nkilongo, Siphiwe Kunene from Mhlume, Nonhlanhla Dlamini from Ludzeludze and Jennifer Shiba from Timphisini.

The appointees were announced by Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC), Chief Gija at his offices yesterday afternoon.

Section 81(1) of the national constitution provides that there should be at least 30 percent women representation in Parliament.

Other parliament appointments by the King are on the way in Senate. The King is expected to appoint 20 senators, says section 94(3) of the constitution. At least eight of these shall be women.

The House of Assembly must elect 10 senators, five of whom should be women.

Link http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=47499&section=main

KING APPOINTS NEW SWAZILAND MPs

Swazi Observer

8 October 2008

ALL THE KING'S MEN

Stories by Timothy Simelane

FORMER Ministers Majozi Sithole and Themba Msibi are MPs.

They were appointed to the House of Assembly by His Majesty King Mswati III alongside eight others.

The list announced by the Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission also names Princess Ncengencenge a converted Christian and pastor of the Jesus Calls Worship Centre and Kalanga Chief Sibengwane Ndzimandze who was formerly arrested for allegedly defrauding the Tinkhundla Regional Development Fund.

Thulile Dladla who was Sebenta National Institute Director is one of the surprise names.

Others are Prince Hlangusemphi, the Under Secretary of Defence and Mfanawemakhosi Dlamini who works for the ministry of Economic Planning and Development under the millennium projects.

Chief Gcokoma of Mbelebeleni and Mandla Dlamini, member of the border restoration committee have also been appointed MPs.

Former MP Chief Nzameya Nhlabatsi has also bounced back.

The announcement ends days and months of speculation, as some people expected to be on the list.

However, there is still a glimmer of hope because His Majesty is yet to announce the list of appointed Senators.

All the King’s men and women:

Prince Hlangusemphi

Chief Nzameya Nhlabatsi

Mandla Dlamini

Mfanawemakhosi Jomo Dlamini

Chief Sibengwane Ndzimandze

Princess Ncengencenge

Majozi Sithole

Chief Gcokoma of Mbelebeleni

Thulile Dladla

Themba Msibi.

Appointees shocked, tongue tied

Appointed MPs were shocked to learn that they were in the list of MPs announced by the Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC).

Former Minister of Finance Majozi Sithole said he was not ready to comment on the appointment yesterday because he had not been officially informed.

Mfanawemakhosi Dlamini, an employee of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development said he was humbled by the appointment, adding that he had not expected it.

“I did not anticipate this appointment, and I’m still digesting this development, afterwhich I can make comments,” he said.

Princess Ncengencenge also expressed shock at the appointment, saying she would comment at a later stage. The princess has travelled the world and studied theology abroad. She was recently ordained at the Jesus Calls Worship Centre, a church headed by Pastor Robert Kasaro.

Others were not available for comment.

Chief Gija said the list would be conveyed to the Clerk to Parliament, who will then call all MPs to be sworn in and start business as usual.

“We are pleased to announce that His Majesty has made these appointments,” he said.

Link http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=47484&section=main

KING SPEAKS OUT ON POLL BRIBES

Swazi Observer

3 October 2008

KING SPEAKS OUT ON 'VOTE BUYING'

By Musa Ndlangamandla

HIS Majesty King Mswati III says the law should take its course on people found to have bribed their way into parliament.

He was reacting to questions from the media regarding widespread reports that many candidates used underhand means including 'buying votes' to secure a place in the legislature.

Though the elections were declared to be free and fair by international observers, there has been widespread condemnation of the practice of bribery and 'greasing voters' with cash in some polling stations.

"If people are found to be engaged in such activities the law should take its course. The Elections and Boundaries Commission and law enforcement agencies are well placed to take care of such matters," the King said.

He added that the UN, Commonwealth and other organisations expressed words of gratitute to the Swazi nation for a successful election that saw record numbers participate.

"They told us to keep up the good work and to encourage those responsible for the election process to always ensure that it goes according to the countries laws. They praised the country for the impressive voter turnout as people exercised their right to vote for a government of their choice," His Majesty said. His Majesty called on the new legislators always to workhard to deliver to the communities they represent and the country at large. He said he was confident that the new parliament will assist with strategies that will further improve the country's socio-economic climate for the betterment of the living standards of all the people.

Link http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=47366&section=main

SWAZI KING MUST NOW CHOOSE MPS

Swazi Observer

30 September 2008

List of appointees remains secret

By Timothy Simelane

PEOPLE who envisage that their names will appear in the list of appointed MPs can hold their breadth until His Majesty King Mswati III returns from a United Nations Summit in New York.

Chairperson of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) Chief Gija said his office would await the list from the appointing authorities, and until then, he had no remedy for those anxious to know the results.

“The appointed MPs will come from His Majesty, and since he is currently not in the country, we will wait to hear when he arrives,” the chairman said.

Only results from Kwaluseni Inkhundla are still outstanding, as all other elected MPs have been installed in office.

This is where former MP Sibusiso Majaha Nkambule is embroiled in a court battle with primary election competitor Sibusiso Mabhanisi Dlamini.

It is expected that the list will name the prospective prime minister and cabinet ministers, as has been the case in the past two parliaments.

After the announcement of the list, MPs will be sworn in. They will then elect 10 people to Senate.

His Majesty will then announce 20 other senators.

It is also expected that His Majesty will summon the nation to the cattle byre where the prime minister will be officially announced. This is if the outgoing PM, Themba Dlamini will not be re-appointed.

Link http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=47265&section=main