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NATION COMES THROUGH AS E26M RAISED FOR SADC SUMMIT

30/07/2016 10:59:00 BY SIBUSISO GAMEDZE

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SPTC management including the Managing director Petros Dlamini (2nd R) presenting the King with a cheque amounting to E1 215 360, which was the highest amount paid by a company from the country.

LOZITHA – The success of the upcoming 36th SADC Summit is guaranteed following the immense support that the nation showed the King as they donated a whopping E26 million.

His Majesty King Mswati III’s face was a picture of happiness as he received various amounts donated by companies, businesspeople and the Republic of China on Taiwan towards the summit to be held in the country next month.
The head of State could not contain his excitement when the total amount in donations was announced by Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Prince Sihlangusemphi, during the prestigious event held at the Lozitha Royal Residence on Thursday evening.

As the night proceeded, His Majesty said the E26 million collected was an indication that the country was close to achieving First World status as evidenced by the collection of the huge amount in one day.

Confident

He was confident that the figure would be rounded up to E30 million before the event to be opened on August 22, 2016, as individuals businesspeople and companies were adding to their initial amounts, much to the amusement of the audience that packed the auditorium to full capacity.
Should the challenge be met, it will mean that government would only have to contribute a total of E6 million towards the SADC Summit budget which is likely to cost E36 million in total.
The King expressed his appreciation to the entire Swazi nation who had taken the initiative to embrace hosting of the event and it showed their determination to uplift the country.

The summit would see delegates from member states coming to experience this magnificent country, which boasted strong cultural values and an exquisite landscape.
His Majesty said Swaziland was fortunate to host the event at this time of the year as it would coincide with the annual Reed Dance to be held in August.
Hotels are already fully booked as tourists and delegates alike will be descending on the country for both the Summit and Reed Dance.

invitation

The King said he was grateful to the SADC Secretariat for honouring the invitation and also of having confidence in the country’s ability to host such a historic event which would go down in the history books for future generations to witness.
The event would also focus on efforts towards Regional Integration, which has been one of the 15 SADC member states’ goals.
SADC had taken a leaf from other regional trade blocs such as the European Union (EU) who had almost achieved 100 per cent integration.
His Majesty called on the African continent to work in concert for all countries to be united and to be able to be self-reliant.

He spoke of his pride of all those who had contributed towards the success of the event, and encouraged them to continue working hard for the country as God would surely bless them abundantly.
The King made a plea to residents along the Manzini-Mbabane corridor to also open their homes in kindness and love to the King’s guests.