DO WE REALLY NEED ALL THESE MINISTRIES?

Sir,

Lest I am perceived as a progressive or from the progressive camp, may I start by declaring that I am a staunch supporter of the Tinkhundla System of Governance and will die as one.

The recent passing on of our elderly citizens who were such  resourceful individuals has made me think that soon, the senior citizens will travel the path of no return and all of us who are above the age of 50 are now the elders of this country.
I am glad to have lived for over half a century and I am very proud of my age (52). Some of this upcoming generation will not live to reach our age. God is good all the time.

government officials

I am very concerned about the way our government is run. With a population of about 1.1 million people, excluding the Asians, who are here to stay courtesy of our corrupt government officials. My observation is that the number of our government ministries is just too large for this small population.
Why do we need so many ministries which are clearly a drain to the taxpayer? We really need to set our priorities right. Since independence, the poverty level has gone sky high. The lack of food, shelter and access to health has worsened since then and yet there are ministers who are paid for simply telling lies to the authorities that all is well in the country.

For Instance we have a Minister for Housing and Urban Development, which people is this ministry housing?
People living under dilapidated houses which can fall on them anytime; are they housed?

Did the ministry contribute to any structure? A big NO! But we have that ministry in place. Factually the right title for the ministry should be the Ministry of Local Government and Tinkhundla. These should be amalgamated instead of having these fattening ranches.We have a ministry for Works, but look at civil servants houses which are rotting away and in dire need for major renovations or maybe sold to empower Swazis because government has failed to maintain them.

alleviating poverty

The road networks being built have no direct link for alleviating poverty for the poor masses but are for providing smooth roads for the elite. I am not saying that we do not need this infrastructure but I am saying is it benefitting the less privileged majority? The answer is no!

Foreign policy is not determined by the decisions made by a few about the country. We have a growing number of embassies in the Arab world. Why is that?  What do we get from them? Have we ever done a rational cost-benefit analysis on all the countries where we have embassies, what do we benefit except for scholarships for children of the elite?

Blue print for policies

We have an ICT Ministry to achieve what? Where is this government policy? What do ministers use as a guiding blue print for policies, strategy for health, education etc. “Siyadvunguta emnyameni (we walking in the dark).” We have had one person heading the government for almost four terms but there less privileged have gained nothing but he has been awarding his friends higher positions to further corruption. We have, as a country deteriorated in all social indicators while individuals have suddenly become overnight millionaires.

In parting, I must say the number of ministries must be cut down with immediate effect and all the hopefuls for ministerial posts must cool down. What have these ministries done for the citizens except to make them poorer than before?

Anyway may I wish the readers of my articles a merry festive season and may you all turn to God and ask for a new heart and salvation from Him. This government shall soon pay for all the ills it has done to the suffering majority.

Pheneous Dlamini, Big Bend

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