Mbabane: There is a glimmer of hope for EmaSwati living and studying in the USA as His Majesty King Mswati III has granted Siyinqaba 2 flight to fly them back home.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operatives Thuli Dladla said despite the global decline in the air traffic by 70%, Ethiopian Airways is still operating flights from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdoms into Addis Ababa, Ethiopia wherefrom they will connect the flight to King Mswati III International Airport. The minister was speaking during a press briefing at the Cabinet offices today, April 23, when addressing the issue of repatriation of students abroad.
Dladla said the ministry was approached for a rescue mission by Emaswati living in US, where COVID-19 has spread exponentially. Dladla explained that the ministry has registered over 700 students who will be repatriated on Saturday, April 25. Upon arrival in the country the students will be taken for the mandatory 14 day quarantine.
“Our missions abroad have been tasked to keep in touch with these students in their respective countries of accreditation, to monitor developing administrative and immigration issues in each case, and assist the students where at all possible,” said Dladla. She said the flight, Siyinqaba 2, will be convenient for the transportation of the students, adding that during this process all the COVID-19 regulations will be followed.
Dladla said the ministry remains seized with the developments on the prevailing lockdown regulations in South Africa, which invariably affect the ability of the ministry to assist with facilitation of authorization of repatriations from countries such as Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda and Tanzania, where the country has registered a considerable number of students, but which, must by geographical necessity, come through the borders of South Africa.
About Siyinqaba 2 Airplane
Siyinqaba 2 is the official airplane of His Majesty King Mswati III which was once impounded in Canada over a disputed debt. Former business partner, Singaporean entrepreneur Shanmuga Rethenam had the plane detained through Canadian courts in a bid to freeze the king’s assets and reclaim $8 million, alleging that royalty owed him.
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