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HOPE FOR BETTER YEAR

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The Kingdom of Eswatini is currently experiencing a critical juncture in its economic situation. Despite government assertions that the economy is on an upward trajectory, the reality on the ground starkly contrasts with the optimistic figures being presented.
The daily lives of ordinary citizens are deteriorating. Our youth are increasingly disillusioned, questioning the value of their educational pursuits, once considered the key to success, as many remain unemployed with their qualifications serving merely as wall decorations.

Relegated

Even those with commendable credentials are relegated to jobs traditionally held by individuals with only secondary or high school education. Many employed individuals, both in the public and private sectors, are receiving inadequate compensation, often resorting to unregulated loan providers, exacerbating their financial plight. A night visit to Manzini city reveals a growing number of young females engaging in sex work to make ends meet, a distressing trend that mirrors scenes more commonly associated with Johannesburg. The current discourse among both the employed and unemployed revolves around the pursuit of job opportunities abroad. Numerous Eswatini citizens have migrated to countries such as the United States, Taiwan, and Northern Ireland, where there appears to be a steady demand for African workers in healthcare, palliative care, and manual labour sectors.

This has led to a surge in online agencies claiming to facilitate overseas job placements, although many are merely exploiting desperate job seekers for financial gain. The prospect of overseas employment, despite the inherent risks of human trafficking and organ trade, seems more appealing to the local population than remaining in a country with limited opportunities. Disconcertingly, individuals who have dropped out of school in regions like Hhohho and engaged in illicit activities such as the dagga trade earn more annually than those with advanced degrees or legitimate businesses. It is not uncommon for teachers in these areas to borrow money from their own students.

Youth

The perceived value of education has significantly diminished, fostering a generation of youth who are angry, disillusioned and hungry. Unless immediate action is taken to address the needs of our young people, who constitute the majority of the population, we will face severe repercussions. The government must urgently address this brain drain. However, the unique system of governance in Eswatini complicates such efforts. Currently, prospective job seekers traverse the country, attempting to secure votes with hollow promises to become policymakers and decision-makers for the next five years.

Those who choose not to participate in voting are often marginalised by the system. In one notable incident during election year, a woman was humiliated in a Swati Court for lacking the ink mark on her thumbnail, a mark used to prove citizenship, which the presiding officer deemed more important than her national identity card. This type of treatment has eroded national pride and kinship among many citizens, who now seek opportunities in countries where their well-being is prioritised. To all young individuals pursuing overseas employment, it is imperative to exercise caution and thoroughly vet agencies before any financial transactions are made. There is a growing market for slaves. Yes, slavery as we know it be from biblical times. As the year begins, one would hope the leadership of the country takes emaSwati seriously and deals decisively with the many social ill besetting the country, many of which are man-made.

Assist

We have harped on the chronic issue of the ailing health system for far too long but there seems no solution in  sight. I so wish one day the nurses’ union would assist in collecting data on the deaths of people who die purely due to the shortage of drugs and specialist care. It is also my wish that this year the Judiciary is taken seriously. That there is still no Judicial Service Commission up to now speaks volumes about how seriously or not we take this institution. Without strong institutions such as the Judiciary, we will fail as a country to attract the much-needed foreign direct investment. I hope that government will also see through the plans to resuscitate the University of Eswatini, which has been crumbling in all aspects over the past years. What we are witnessing in that once iconic institution is very embarrassing and one wonders how government has allowed things to get that dire. Eswatini is the only country we have and as a nation, we have a duty to work collectively to ensure that it thrives. It is a country bursting with potential. We just need to pull together in an environment that embraces diversity, tolerance and a culture of excellence. May God Almighty see us through and take us to  greater heights in 2025.

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: 8% EEC Tariff Hike Cut
Does 8% cut have the potential to ease financial burdens for emaSwati?