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Women encouraged to take part in elections

18/02/2013 00:00:00 KWANELE DHLADHLA

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BUHLENI - Her Majesty the Indlovukazi has called upon all Swazi women to actively participate during national elections and stop undermining their capability to hold public office.

The Indlovukazi said she would be happy if Swazi women would dominate top positions during the upcoming national elections. She said women should understand that their active contribution was critical to ensure sustainable and effective development of the nation.

"I am happy that women have already composed a song to encourage active participation during the upcoming elections. As women we should not undermine our capability to lead the nation. Therefore, I would like to urge more women to stand for the elections," she said.

The Indlovukazi further highlighted that Lutsango should vote for women that could positively represent their interests at political level.

"Lutsango must elect women that who will make meaningful contribution and change the country for the better," she mentioned.

Members of Lutsango composed a song that encourages women to stand for elections.

The lyrics of the song say: ‘Ngete ngasala elukhetfweni, nawe make ngumnyaka wakho lona’(Do not be left behind during elections, this is a year for women).

The Southern African Development Community recently assigned Swaziland to collate information on how far the country had gone in terms of ensuring that women occupy 50 per cent political and decisive positions by 2015.

King, Indlovukazi laud Lutsango

BUHLENI - The King and Indlovukazi lauded Lutsango for bringing gallons of marula brew despite the worm outbreak that affected marula trees.

His Majesty King Mswati III said the huge attendance of members of Lutsango and the hundreds of litres of the marula brew were signs that Swazis still love and respect their culture and traditions.

"It was memorable to note that Lutsango brought hundreds of litres of the marula brew despite reports that marula trees had been infested by worms in some parts of the country. This has shown that Lutsango love and respect the country.

They are also committed to ensuring that the tradition is preserved and passed on to future generations," said the King.

The Indlovukazi said she knew that the festival would not be threatened even after news broke that the trees were infected by worms.

"I knew from the onset that the festival would proceed and be attended by Lutsango in their numbers. As you can see, Lutsango brought hundreds of litres with them which showed that worms did not have any negative effect. On Friday, we stayed up late as more and more members of Lutsango came through with the marula brew," said the Indlovukazi.

The outbreak mostly affected marula trees at Hlane in the Lubombo region.

A majority of the marula trees were destroyed by the parasites and could not produce marula fruits. The parasitic outbreak first occurred last year but it was in its mild form as it only affected a few trees. Notably, acting Ludzidzini Governor Timothy Velabo Mtetwa recently also declared that the national ceremony would continue unaffected despite the worms that rampaged marula trees mostly in the southern parts of the country.