Swazi Observer

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EKHAYA

By Sisho Magagula | 2018-06-21

AFTER five long years, it is officially ekhaya for the country’s parliamentarians.

His Majesty King Mswati III officially dissolved Parliament yesterday at Ludzidzini Royal Residence where he had called Sibaya.

In the presence of over 20 000 Emaswati, His Majesty announced that parliamentarians would vacate office on June 30.

This also includes senators, tindvuna tetinkhundla and bucopho. People from all walks of life started arriving at the royal residence as early as 8am and waited patiently for the arrival of His Majesty.

Anxiety and suspense was the order of the day as the throngs of people stood in small groups, sharing their speculations about what the King had in store for the nation.

While others correctly predicted that the head of state would dissolve Parliament, many were of the view that the King would launch a People’s Parliament where individuals would be allowed to air their views until at least Saturday.

Traditionalists spent time explaining to those present that it is never easy to predict what the King would say during Sibaya.

His Majesty entered the cattle byre at exactly 2:18pm amid thunderous praise and singing from various people, including his official royal praise singers. He started delivering his speech at 2:21pm.

Being the good orator that he is, the King once again beautifully captured the attention of the nation as he started his speech by touching on various issues of national interest.

It was only towards the end of his speech that he made the big announcement.

Warning bells that the big announcement was on the dissolution of parliament started ringing when the King started referring to the current parliament in the past tense

“Since it is election time, it has become incumbent that we all shift our focus to this big national assignment. Njengoba ke bekunephalamende nayo isebenta, sekuyabonakalisa ke kutsi aw sekufuneka kuyosetjentwa elukhetfweni bekunene,” he said.

Reverberating

“Parliament was working very hard and it imperative that we also give them time to go and prepare for the elections. Sekutawubonakalisa kutsi nakuyophela lenyanga ya June mhlaka 30, sebatawachubeka nabo bayongenela lukhetfo njengatsi sonkhe bekunene,” he announced amidst a reverberating round of ‘Bayethe’ from everybody present. Notable was that many people expressed serious excitement at this announcement and shouted ‘ekhaya’ to the many cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) who were present at the cattle byre. Members of Parliament who are also cabinet ministers heaved a small sigh of relief when His Majesty further announced that a council of ministers shall remain office for a certain number of days.

“Inkhosi ete yasala yodvwana kwenta umsebenti. A council of ministers will remain in office and continue working for a certain number of days. Thereafter, that council shall also vacate office and leave the principal secretaries who will hold fort until a new government comes into office,” he said.

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