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THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY OF 2019

15/12/2019 07:04:00 BY Alex Nxumalo

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Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner” - James Bovard The year 2019 is but a couple of weeks away from ending, with the dawn of yet another New Year beckoning on the horizon. It has become a ritual with some of us to look back down memory lane, take stock of how we, either individually, collectively (or both), have fared since the beginning of any new year.

As a columnist, it is proper and decorous of me, that is, in my books, that I look back at some of the good, the bad and the ugly of incidences which we went through as a nation and opine what we can do to achieve positive things, going forward, which might have the propensity to bond us as a nation, possibly help us prosper as individuals and collectively as a nation; live in peace and harmony, side by side...without throttling one another.
Before I continue with the theme of this article, may I first kindly take this opportunity and pass my sincere condolences to the royal family, friends and all who had the privilege of rubbing shoulders with the late Prince Sobandla.
What a lovable, amicable and buoyant person he was! I only met him once, many, many years ago whilst he was still a servant of His Majesty’s government and what an indelible impression he left in yours truly!

He was such an unbelievably spirited, energetic and charismatic character. Death, you incorrigible thief, you should be ashamed of yourself for spreading your vicious and deadly tentacles, robbing us of the late Prince! May his soul rest in peace.
That said, may I also pass my heartfelt gratitude to the management team and staff of the Times Group of Companies for availing me the much sought after opportunity of being a columnist, since these past years. To my former editors and current one, thumbs up!

Though it has been no child’s play writing to and for a diverse, educated and hard-to-please readership base, it has been an exciting, exhilarating experience and without any shadow of doubt, presented its fair share of challenges. Hopefully, the same opportunity will still be availed to me in the coming year - of course, God willing.
In this line of work, one had to be constantly on his toes, have his wits around him and yes... constantly look over his shoulder that no sinister predators who are abhorrent of and against freedom of expression, were lurking around every corner, ready to pounce, swooping down, wielding the dreaded ‘Makhundu’ (knob-kerrie).

GRATEFUL TO READERS

I am also grateful to the most important people who always matter most to us writers and media - the readers! Their support and encouragement was just unbelievable. I grew and matured as a writer because of them. All I can say is: Bravo! May you enjoy your festive season? Do not over-celebrate, nor drink and drive and refrain from engaging in immoral behaviours which you might later regret.
The year 2019 had its fair share of drama and challenges which stretched and tested our resilience, tolerance, harmony et cetera, both individually and as a nation. We end the year with some of us, carrying noticeable spiritual and physical bruises, especially politically and socially, which may take some time to heal.

In some of my articles, I have been a fierce government critic, neither out of hatred, malice nor out of any ulterior or sponsored motives. I subscribe to the notion that in life, “people should not be afraid of their government, but it is the government that should be afraid of the people”. Sadly, in this country, more often than not, the former is the obtaining scenario.
Any government worth its salt, which claims to be democratic, has to and must be accountable to the people. Where I felt there was an element of injustice, corruption or a lax service delivery by our government, I never shied away from commenting on and critiquing that. I also gave credit where it was due. In the process of writing truth to power, like all infallible men, I might have erred or rubbed the shoulders of some, the wrong way. That is natural and the nature of the beast that is truth. We agree to disagree.

Like most emaSwati, I am a fiercely loyal and patriotic bloke, who loves this country with a passion. It is the only one we have. Our government comprises of fallible people, who also have the imperfect propensity to err. It is the duty of every citizen to respectfully raise concerns whenever we felt our government strayed. As much as we live in a country where truth is at times frowned upon and speaking or writing it, more often than not, has dire and frightening consequences for those who dare speak it, it is imperative that those of us able and daring enough, do constructively criticize our leaders.
I am thankful to my God that since I began writing, none from the dreaded state security organs ever threatened me with the worst and I never for once was confronted with that loud knock in the still of the nocturnal hours. Bravo to our at times paranoid security agencies.

The brutal truth, which I constantly strived to write, is a priceless commodity and should never be for sale under any circumstances. No! Inspired by the One and Only Infallible God, He constantly supported my writings and I sincerely believe that I did my fair share of witnessing for the glory of His name.
He certainly tamed the influences of the Evil One, who perverts truth, thrives on the persecution of defenders of it. I credit Him for encircling me with His protective shroud. To those lovers of truth who constantly prayed for us writers, may the great God of the heavens, shower you with blessings.

I cannot leave out those who unwittingly were used by the evil one to trample on the truth, in also thanking them for their at times, commendable restraint in not out rightly clamping down on the freedom of the press. We are all God’s creation and will shall all - great or small - face the Judgment Seat of God, sito teka emaphutsa etfu.
The Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini-led government inherited a messed up economy which was left in tatters by the previous government. It was never going to be a walk in the park for the new kids on the block - him and his Cabinet - with their lack of experience in the imposing, dog-eat-dog, political arena. They were bound to falter somewhere along the line. Coupled with the partisan and jaundiced political system they work for, their job was never going to be a piece of cake.

REVIVE ECONOMY

The new government started on a promising footing. Its mantra was to revive the economy and yes...put a screeching halt to that nemesis of any developing country - corruption. This far, emehlo ahlaba phansi. Ridding deeply entrenched and decades old pillars of corruption is no child’s play, especially in a country like ours, whose middle name is corruption.

A Strategic Road Map was put in place a while back and we are yet to realise its fruition. As I see it, we need to get rid of those who drill holes while the Titanic is riding on the high, turbulent seas. Premier Mandvulo, with due respect, needs to crack the whip, without fear or favour, and nail those implicated in corrupt acts - to blazes whether they are ‘closer to God’ or not. The economy is in ruins because of those of the elite who blatantly and unabashedly abuse connections and powers bestowed on them. A concerted, political will to rid the country of the undesirables, who believe corruption is their birthright, must be seriously employed. Our legislators must come to the party, also. The honeymoon became over the day they took their oath of office. Rubber stamping anything that comes their way, we do not need, come 2020! We expect vigorous debates and bold, oversight roles, without fear or favour, over the other two arms of government. There is absolutely no room for being ‘yes boss’ legislators. The economy needs to be back on its knees pronto! Cowering in fear of those brandishing the ‘closer to God’card, looting public funds, must not be allowed nor condoned.

We also experienced an unprecedented number of protest actions by civic groups and public servants, with daggers drawn over many issues, more especially the contentious cost of living adjustment (COLA). To date, the issue still sticks out like a sore thumb. In the face of this, intolerance and use of brutal tactics by State organs to quell justified labour protests, beating to a pulp some of the protesters, with some protesters becoming invalids, losing precious limbs, put the country in a very bad light, internationally.

Violence and abuse against women escalated to unprecedented levels during the course of the year, in spite of the advent of the biting, Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence (SODV) legislation. Our leaders need to devise effective strategies to educate, especially the male folk, against abuse of women and children. Sadly, the law at times seemingly had ‘jaundiced eyes’, with some influential members of the judiciary fingered in the abuse of their spouses.
A prince also allegedly implicated in sexually violating an innocent, tertiary student, still walks free.
Conclusion of the matter? Let us as a nation, fear God and do all His Commandments, for the hour of His judgment on this nation has come. In order for Him to heal our land, we need to confess our national and individual sins, worshipping Him in truth and in spirit - not other gods.

A happy festive season and a New Year to everyone! To those who lost their loved ones during the course of the year, may God heal your wounds. Shalom!