COMMONWEALTH INCENTIVE SHOULD AWARD EXCELLENCE

You always learn a lot when you lose than when you win.”
The above is a famous African proverb, which teaches about the virtues of life.

I believe it augurs well with the obtaining political scenario in the country, now that the curtain is about to fall on the five year government term.
It is election year and we are all geared up for the most exciting event in the country’s restrictive politics.
Swazis fear politics.

We are told it is a dirty game and that subconsciously steers us clear of this monster called politics.
Unfortunately, the reality is that our everyday life hinges on what is happening politically, whether good or bad.
The past five years have been a roller-coaster political ride for most Cabinet ministers who are expected to vacate office soon.

Many have been found wanting.  The nation has been lamenting at a number of disservice at government level.
A couple of Cabinet ministers have had to feel the wrath of political writers.
The latter have had a field day, cracking holes at the performance of some key portfolios, including that of the Prime Minister, Sibusiso Dlamini.

The soon to expire term of office has seen a couple of Cabinet reshuffles and left some casualties too in the likes of former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Sibusiso Shongwe and of course Mkhiweni MP and former Minister of Commerce and Trade, Gideon Dlamini. The former is still grappling with corruption charges preferred against him by the State, culminating from the judicial reign of terror marshalled by former Chief Justice, Michael Ramodibedi.

It is not my intention to open up old wounds, but again we cannot pretend as if nothing ever happened.
It has been the most challenging reign or term for the prime minister in his illustrious political career.
There were times he had to take over and make decisions that are initially the prerogative of ministers.

But what did you expect when there was a menacing drug shortage crisis in hospital that left Minister of Health Sibongile Ndlela-Simelane helplessly confused.
Enough about the depressing news – I can hear you whispering that. I can’t help what the nation endured in the past five years.
I hope we have learnt from all the challenges and as the African proverb says; we have learnt a lot from the challenges.
We did.

And the good thing is that in all the darkness in there has been a silver lining in the form of the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs under the stewardship of David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala.
Cruiser has moved things quickly within the five years with his hands on approach to issues.

He mended the mess that used to define the Swaziland National Youth Council (SNYC) and by extension the Youth Fund that has been riddled by scandals.
There is a new strategy now in place that seeks to meet the demands of the youth in the country halfway.

The Arts and Culture side of his portfolio also celebrated the passing of the Copy Right Bill into law.
Local artists’ interests are now being protected by government.

He might still be working on the Sports Bill whose passing will surely mark the dawn of a new era in the country’s sporting fraternity.
But already government has approved the construction of a bigger stadium.

However, like the biblical message contained in the letters to the Seven Churches of Asia; I also have this against the ministry.
While it is appreciated that government has set aside E20 000 incentive for any athlete who would win a medal in the ongoing Commonwealth Games held in Gold Coast Australia, it’s a good gesture, but at the same time it may lean more towards playing to the gallery.

As a country we do value medals in international tournaments, and Simanga Shiba was the last to bring in one in 2006.
It is our belief that the likes of Thabiso Dlamini and Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa could sneak in one this year.
But, government should have been reasonable to place the incentive mostly on one beating his personal best.
In that way, he would have awarded excellence than a medal.

Yes, for our athletes to win a medal would automatically mean that they beat their personal best, but in some circumstances you may win a medal without beating your personal best.
In our case, it might be good for government to aim for the skies but it would be good too to award athletes who would beat their personal best times.
The Athletics Association of Swaziland has long pledged E1 000 to every athlete who will beat a national record.

Government could do good to follow suit because surely our team this year would beat the national record.
And there is something in that says we would also bring at least a bronze medal.
I know Minister Ngcamphalala will agree with me, he is a sportsman through and through.

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