- Simelane has appreciated Minister of ICT Princess Sikhanyiso’s apology
Mbabane: Outspoken Siphofaneni Member of Parliament Mduduzi ‘Gawuzela’ Simelane has appreciated Minister of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Princess Sikhanyiso’s apology.
Simelane took to his Facebook page to appreciate the minister’s apology she delivered on Friday when she made her first public appearance after having taken maternity leave for a period which, in her own words, alarmed the nation.
She had come to officially launch the Eswatini National Archives and Records Service Bill 2020 during a workshop of the House of Assembly Portfolio Committee held at Happy Valley Hotel.
The Minister delivered her remarks on the business of the day and then she went on to touch on her pregnancy and how she suffered rare complications and her tone seemed to trigger emotional waves. “It is, therefore, with respect that I submit my unfeigned apologies for my absence from work for a period that alarmed the nation,” she said.
“In hindsight, the timing of my pregnancy was not wise given the economic state of the kingdom and the timelines set for my outlined vision for the ministry,” the minister said, and took to a pause as her words sunk in. The ICT minister said sadly, whether due to mental or emotional duress, she experienced rare complications when giving birth.
“Giving birth is on its own a harrowing experience, I’m sure people can attest to that,” she went on to say. “Moreover, giving birth at the height of COVID-19 and during the first ever lockdown was a fearsome thing since little research had been done on the prevention, mitigation and cure thereof, plus the actual effects of the coronavirus on new-born babies.”
She said her pregnancy left her bruised and the three months maternity leave couldn’t have sufficed for healing and recovery, the dire situation the minister of ICT had to face during her pregnancy and aftermath. “Be that as it may, three months can never suffice for healing and recovery,” she pointed out.
“The Constitution of the land was indeed contravened, yet I would still imagine that the import of the Constitution is to serve as a refuge for the people,” Minister Sikhanyiso said. “It should serve the people, it should protect the vulnerable, be it women, children or those with disabilities,” she highlighted. “Perhaps the Constitution can be revisited so as to align with other countries. In many countries, institutions give a fully paid leave to the maternal parent and even fathers, because child rearing should be a shared responsibility.”
Princess said despite absence from office she has been fully involved in ministry work
“Thank you Minister for apology to the nation, I hope it truly comes from deep in your heart. God alone knows. Personally I see a great positive move in that spirit,” said Simelane.
However, Simelane said a little practical demonstration of commitment to the Princess’s statement could do much better and reach more. Simelane’s statement comes after the public had been signing an online petition where they demanded the Minister to pay back the money she earned while she was out of office.
Simelane said God Is liberating this great nation from the cages of fear that were systematically designed so that the elite can loot freely hiding behind culture, tradition and preaching silence in the lie of respect. Fear to question and tackle issues robustly with respect not insults.
“No-one can lie to us any more, we refuse in Jesus Name,” he said.
Simelane said Politics decide the national quality of education, quality of health, price of petrol, bread, wages, it decides our roads, scholarships, job opportunities, the list goes-on…
“The most stupid thing we can continue to do is to keep turning a careless blind eye leaving this (politics) to a few to decide for us. A politically conscious nation is an unbeatable nation whereas a politically unconscious nation is a breeding ground for corruption, looting ground, poverty stricken society etc…”
Simelane said as the nation the nation refuse to get crumbs,
“We need our slice. This country belongs to all Emaswati. The earlier everybody accepts this reality the better,” said the vocal Parliamentarian.
He said the citizens were the eyes, ears, hands and feet for the future generation’s success where ever they are.
He quoted the late King Sobhuza II’s words when he said “Nawe uliphoyisa.”
Meanwhile, Hosea Member Mduduzi ‘Bacede’ Mabuza said the nation should accept the Minister’s apology.
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