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People's Parly to take three days

07/08/2012 00:00:00 SENZO DLAMINI

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LUDZIDZINI – The People’s Parliament will last for three days.

This was confirmed by Timothy Velabo Mtetwa, the acting Ludzidzini Governor, in an interview yesterday.

His Majesty King Mswati III, according to Mtetwa, is expected to officially bring down the curtain on the People’s Parliament on Thursday afternoon.

The King, in the presence of the Indlovukazi at the Ludzidzini Royal Residence Cattle Byre, yesterday sanctioned that the citizens should voice their views on any issue in the form of the People’s Parliament.

"We expect all those who call themselves Swazis at heart to fill the byre to the brim so as to air their views on how best the Kingdom can move forward in a peaceful manner," Mtetwa said.

The acting traditional prime minister lauded the King for having availed such a forum for the people to talk on any issues that would propel the country to new heights.

He said the Head of State had done tremendously well by inviting the nation to talk about the Charters that ought to be ratified by the Kingdom.

His Majesty, in his national address yesterday, said experts would perfectly explain on the Charters to the People’s Parliament.

The first day of the People Parliament, as according to acting governor, is today.

... Cops rescue people after near stampede

LOBAMBA – There was almost a stampede when people filed out of the Cattle Byre yesterday, which resulted in the police coming to the rescue of some who had been pushed to the ground.

The about 12 000 people, as per the procedure stood up to leave the Cattle Byre after His Majesty King Mswati III finished making his speech.

Most of the people inside headed for the largest exit, which, however, slowed the file heading out of the byre.

"His Majesty the King has provided food for all of you, and from here we will all proceed to the designated points where food will be served. As you know the procedure, we will allow royalty to leave the arena first, after which, you will leave the arena," announced Timothy Velabo Mtetwa, the acting Ludzidzini Governor.

The crowd, especially those who were seated near the exit started leaving before royalty had left, but the governor’s warning made people return.

"Manini. Manje seyini?" loosely meaning, ‘Stop. What are you doing now?’

But as soon as royalty left, people moved towards the exit where shoving and pushing ensued and a cloud of dust rose above the exit.

An old man, who fell during the near stampede had to be rescued by police officers.

The acting governor warned the crowd not to rush, but the high-pitched whistles drowned the warnings.

COMMENTS:

we applaud the initiative by our leaders to allow people a chance to express their views! However, those in the controls must avoid the tendency of cutting or preventing those that will have different views from voicing them out! Furthermore, deliberations should be taken for good use unlike the smart partnership gatherings from which submissions are not implemented!
December 8, 2011, 7:00 am, lasborn magezangobisi (sabelo.matimba@yahoo.com)

I have always said that dialogue is good. For the king to call people to the cattle byre is progress. Let nation speak without fear. Hopefully some good will come of it. I think this will accomplish more than the Politicians whom only seem to think for themselves first and the nation second, If.
December 8, 2011, 7:01 am, unskinator (untoryodi@comcast.net)

The topics upon which the king touched on are very crucial to nation building. Clearly the international community has put pressure on SD to implement laws that will implement certain charters and protocols. I hope Swazis will use the opportunity to voice their opinions at the cattle byre rather than venting their ill concieved anger and threats on facebook. We have become such a disgusting nation where peoples rights to opinion, expression and the rights to our own values as a nation are being thrown out the window in preference for western ideals.
December 8, 2011, 7:01 am, Qalakaliboli (Qalakaliboli@yahoo.com)