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MPS TOLD: YOU ARE TO BLAME

By PHEPHILE MOTAU | 2023-11-28

Former ambassador, Njabu Gwebu, has blamed parliamentarians for portraying a negative picture of the country to the international community.

Gwebu yesterday educated parliamentarians about etiquette during their Induction Conference held at the Happy Valley Hotel.

She said those who caused people to speak badly about the country were parliamentarians, making an example of a legislator who accused judges of being corrupt saying they were bought, a statement which was captured and highlighted by all media in bold headlines.

She said she was called to explain at her station.
In the countries where they were stationed, Gwebu said diplomats were called to explain issues that appeared in local newspapers and they had to defend the country.

She also highlighted that when she was in the republic of China (Taiwan), she was called to explain a certain matter and she reported such to the ministry (foreigner affairs and international cooperation).
“When we speak, we must know that what we say will have repercussions,” she said.

Gwebu said she loved the Eswatini culture as it specifies the ways to address particular issues.
The former diplomat further stated that she was happy to learn that the prime minister said this Parliament would be proactive and not reactive.

Parliamentarians, Gwebu advised, should teach themselves that if there was something wrong, they should not watch while the issue intensified and only get to speak when tempers were high.

In the United States, according to Gwebu, they were called by Congressmen to clarify on issues and said all this emanated from issues, that were stated by parliamentarians.

She said she worked for five years trying to get funds to assist the country, but were told they would not get it because of negative media reports.
She further said Emaswati were not patriotic and did not speak about all the good things that happen.

“Honourable parliamentarians, let us paint a good picture about the country. In Geneva, they don’t print negative things about the country,” said Gwebu.

The former diplomat clarified that she did not mean that legislators should not express themselves, but they should instead have a diplomatic way to address issues and in the correct forums.
She said when a parliamentarian witnesses corruption, he should talk directly to the minister of justice and constitutional affairs, raise issues with the appropriate people.

This, she said, was because no matter how hard they tried to clarify those issues, once they happen, they were published in newspapers.

Gwebu further advised that parliamentarians should also continue to respect each other as what was happening in other countries, where they even fought in Parliament was not right.
She said in one instance in the country some legislators called each other out to fight in the open.

“His Majesty the King said the country should learn good things from other countries and not take the bad habits,” she stated.

She also educated parliamentarians on how to carry themselves out in public and have a good image as politicians, saying on some, it depended on the country they were in.

She made an example that she once went to a meeting in Taiwan where she wore her best clothes but someone took her out to go to buy her first Burberry.
The legislators, according to Gwebu, were lucky to be from Eswatini where the traditional garb could be worn in any forum and for any occasion.

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