THE REALITY OF VISION 2022

One of my favourite past times is participating in debates with people who question some of the policies and strategies undertaken by our government. I don’t see much logic in questioning well-thought out plans written by well-placed experts and brains. So that’s my disclaimer, you can continue reading if you so wish.

Participants

About five years ago we gathered at Esibayeni Lodge in Matsapha, to share our views and contribute on what we believe is a First World nation and how to achieve that status for the Kingdom of Eswatini. Having been a part of Club 29, the Youth Wing of Smart Partnership, I found myself among the participants of this national consultative forum. I was seated with a table on Sports, Youth and Culture.

Interestingly enough, on both days I was nominated to present our submissions to the gathering, including the then prime minister. After that meeting, the Government Programme of Action 2013-2018 was developed. The words Vision 2022 became as buzz as we all sought to work towards it. Key to this being a mindset shift as quoted in the Programme of Action: “Critical in the pursuit of our development agenda is the need for a radical shift in mindsets and practices to align with those of developed countries.”

I listened as His Majesty King Mswati III brilliantly and passionately articulated what still needs to be done to ensure that we have all hands on deck towards this vision.

He highlighted sectors key to the achievement of the vision and urged the parliamentarians and the nation once more to work towards making this vision a reality.  These sectors include agriculture, tourism and information, communication and technology. I recall that in 2010, the King presented to the Nation his vision that Eswatini should be a First World country and that progress towards that vision should be evident by 2022.

Let us note the word progress there. We should be seen to be moving in the direction of the vision not regressing from it. A definition appropriate to Eswatini was then developed as follows: “A First World country is one where all citizens are able to sustainably pursue their life goals, and enjoy lives of value and dignity in a safe and secure environment.

Assumptions

This implies equitable access to sufficient resources, education, health, food security and quality infrastructure and services, as well as good governance.” That is in a nutshell what stakeholders agreed upon and was also adopted as the definition in the GPOA I earlier highlighted.
In some street corners you find naysayers questioning the reality of achieving Vision 2022. It is hard to consider that anyone can even question any policy or vision aimed at directly improving their lives. Well it happens.

It happens more so because not to many are privy to what we seek to achieve on the quest of Vision 2022. They make assumptions and use these assumptions as fact.  However, I hope the definition shared here provides a bit of light on what it is all about. And to read for yourself, you can go and download, for free, the Government Programme of Action from the government website.

Strategies

I am eager to see what the new government’s programme of action 2018 to 2022 will entail. The recently elected and appointed parliamentarians and ministers are tasked with the duty of leading us to ensure that this vision becomes a reality. However, they cannot do it alone.
We also need to play our role. And for us to play our role they need to constantly keep us updated through effective communication strategies on the progress of actions towards this goal.

If love relationships crumble because of a lack of communication, how much more developmental issues?  It is everyone’s responsibility not somebody elses. There is a famous story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. As I conclude, let me share it; “There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.

Improve

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realised that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have.”
It’s commendable to see private sector companies like MTN coming up with programmes that seek to improve various sectors and other companies also have some very good CSI programmes that are making the private-public sector partnership strong, and in the process improving the lives of emaSwati.  Even individually we can make a difference and contribute towards Vision 2022.
In essence, let’s get all hands on deck and make Eswatini amazing today by doing our part where we can.

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