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PRESIDENT PAYS TRIBUTE TO KING SOBHUZA IIâ€™S ADAGE OF â€˜ANGINASITSAâ€™

By Bodwa Mbingo | 2018-04-21

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen paid special tribute to King Sobhuza II’s adage of anginasitsa, which means ‘I have no enemies’.

The visiting president made the remarks in honour of the 50/50 double celebrations to mark the country’s golden jubilee and that of His Majesty King Mswati III.

“This is a friendship that has stood the test of time. In the immortal words of the late King:

‘Anginasitsa, I have no enemies.’ In Swaziland (Eswatni), we have no enemies. I am honoured to attend this event in celebration of His Majesty the King’s 50th birthday and the 50th anniversary of Swaziland’s founding. It’s truly a special occasion. I want to thank His Majesty for his invitation, friendship, and hospitality. I also want to congratulate the people of Swaziland (Eswatini) for all that you have accomplished over the past 50 years. Congratulations!”

She observed that in 1968, on the brink of independence and the rebirth of a nation, a friendship was formed. She said His Majesty’s father, King Sobhuza II, declared that Swaziland would look east, to a country like his own, bordered by powerful neighbours.

“He observed a people similar to his own, industrious and hard-working. He saw a country that would be a willing, faithful, and dedicated partner to a young nation. He declared this country, the Republic of China onTaiwan, an inseparable friend of his and of Swaziland.”

She added that 50 years had passed since that fateful decision, adding that during this time, the nations had witnessed the rise and fall of great powers.

“We have stood together in the course of trials and tribulations around the world. Through it all, our two countries have never wavered in the promise of friendship and partnership. We have not allowed this friendship to be dictated by the whims and fancies of the present. We have always done what is right, sustainable, and best for our two peoples.”

She said eSwatini was a country blessed by vast natural resources. She noted that it was a country with a rich cultural heritage, and a capable and resourceful people, noting that under the leadership of His Majesty the King, had no doubt eSwatini would continue to be a symbol of growth and prosperity in Africa.

“Throughout my visit, I have already seen the promises of all that the future holds: from new highways and hospitals to growing opportunities in tourism and the ICT industries. Taiwan is committed to supporting Swaziland’s future. We are fully dedicated to assisting His Majesty’s National Development Strategy of Vision 2022. I want the people of Swaziland to know that Taiwan will work in any way we can – through education, healthcare, infrastructure, and agriculture – to help fulfil His Majesty’s pledge to improve standards of living for all people in Eswatini. We do so because we believe when Eswatini does well, Taiwan does well.”

She said in her own language, a good description for Taiwan-Eswatini relations is: “æ›å¸–çš„”. It refers to a lifelong commitment as brothers and sisters to always support each other.

“We know that at the heart of any relationship, particularly one as vibrant as this one, is people. This is why, together with His Majesty, we have always focused on building enduring partnerships between people, institutions, and organisations. I experienced this first-hand when I shook the hands of young Eswatini doctors, educated in Taiwan medical schools, yesterday at Mbabane Government Hospital. Our agricultural experts at the Taiwan Technical Mission near Matsapha are proudly working on their new agricultural produce. I met young Taiwanese teachers at the Swaziland College of Technology, whom I know are educating the best and brightest of Eswatini next generation.All of this underpins the Taiwan-Eswatini relationship.”

She said in the course of her visit, with the support of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Mother, she announced two new initiatives that would further bring the two countries closer together.

She said they inaugurated a new programme to provide full scholarships to underprivileged young people, noting that human potential was key to Eswatini’s future. She added that the scholarships would be for Swaziland College of Technology (SCOT), an institution where Taiwanese and Swazi teachers already work side-by-side. She said they would enable more students to study STEM, which are fields in critical demand in today’s economy, adding that Taiwan would also encourage more Taiwanese educators to teach here in order to further contribute to Eswatini’s next generation.

“During my meeting with the Queen Mother, I also pledged to work together with the Philani Maswati Charity Organisation to provide more opportunities for women. This initiative, which is called the Greenhouse Project, will offer 18-month training programmes in agricultural cultivation and management. It will empower hundreds of women in rural communities and encourage them to further share their know-how in less developed areas across the country.”

She said the initiatives reflected her country’s firm belief in the promise of Eswatini’s bright future. And her country’s dedication to working together to achieve that future had never been stronger.

“On this momentous occasion, I want to thank His Majesty for everything he has done for our bilateral relationship. Under his leadership, we know Taiwan has no better and more outspoken friend on the international stage. At a time when many international organisations have chosen to exclude the people of Taiwan, we know we can always count on Eswatini’s unwavering support. In UN Assembly halls where our voice is never heard, we can always count on His Majesty’s steady words in favour of Taiwan’s participation.This support means a lot to us. I want to say thank you. Ngiyabonga kakhulu.

Finally, I want to conclude by saying this: Taiwan and Eswatini are partners in every sense of the word. Through the extraordinary foresight of the late King Sobhuza II to the leadership of His Majesty King Mswati III, this relationship has only grown stronger. Day by day. Year by year. It is fitting that on the 50th birthday of the King and the 50th anniversary of your country, we also celebrate the 50th years of our relationship. I want to offer His Majesty my best wishes on his birthday and my most sincere congratulations to the people of Swaziland. Siyabonga! Thank you! Thank you very much.”

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