Times Of Swaziland: A TIME TO REFLECT

A TIME TO REFLECT
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The Editor on 06/09/2018 23:10:00


Sir,
On September 6, 1968, at noon, the independent Kingdom of Eswatini was born.
Fifty years on, citizens of the kingdom celebrate Independence Day despite
one’s ideological or political persuasion.
Political differences aside, it is a day to reflect on a colourful past,
celebrate the kingdom’s birth and envision a common future. The country’s
independence was unique. It marked the end of British colonial rule in Africa.
From a political and developmental perspective, it dispelled the prevailing
notion that ‘modern and traditional political forces were incompatible’. The
mercurial rise of political figures in the drive for freedom had also ushered in
a call for freedom and a call for unity.
The attainment of independence in 1968 stirred an air of hope and ‘great
expectations’. Contrary to sentiments in some circles – that government has
been a failure - we seek to reveal that because government had been socially
conscious, it achieved considerable success. Government’s response to the
great expectations has been emphatic to say the least.
When one surveys the literature on developmental issues as well as the role of
the State in development, one draws the basic conclusion that the State has a
key role to play in bringing about development. This view has not been lost on
various individuals who have thrived to ensure that development takes place in
the kingdom. Key figures in government and society are driven by certain factors
to act in a pro-poor manner.
This is in contrast to accusations of leaders being entirely driven by
corruption. The ‘social consciousness’ thesis asserts that factors driving
elites include recognition of mutual dependencies, assumption of responsibility
for helping the poor and existence of feasible conditions. It is our contention
that upon the attainment of independence, government adopted policies which can
be described as ‘pro-poor.’ In short, extended access to education and
health, provision of social security and other similar acts are surely not
reflective of a negligent government.
The founding fathers of African states were nationalist. They were driven by a
genuine desire to better the lives of the populace. These sought to reverse the
injustices of the colonial system which denied the majority a chance towards a
better life.
A bulk of these individuals endured hardship and deprivation in order to ‘free
their people’ from subjugation. Not only did they want political freedom but
they also desired social and economic freedom for their people. It is in this
brief historical footnote that Eswatini should be seen as a developmentalist
State.
A major challenge for African nationalists such as King Sobhuza II, was how to
deliver ‘real development’ to a people so previously disadvantaged. The
response to such historical imbalances created by colonialism necessitated a
response by government which required it to be development-oriented.
History and posterity shall record that the King was a man greatly interested in
the social uplifting of the populace. It was through sagacity and foresight that
government deliberately engaged as a matter of policy and importance on building
schools.
Education was placed as a priority for the kingdom as it had the potential to
kick-start the development of the country. Emphasis was placed on primary,
secondary and tertiary education. Since independence, government has facilitated
and even built schools countrywide.
Like any country, the kingdom has its fair share of problems – corruption of
bureaucrats, slumping growth, clamours for representative government and
widening wealth gap among others. However, these should not deflect or cloud the
achievements realised since the attainment of independence.
Admire