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MBONGWA RETAINS PRESIDENCY AS 65 ABSTAIN

30/09/2022 07:29:00 Sibusiso Zwane

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MATSAPHA - A total of 65 delegates abstained from voting for SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini, but in spite of that, he retained his position as the leader of the teacher’s union.

This transpired yesterday during the ongoing Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) 76th/68th Annual Conference, which is held at Esibayeni Lodge. The elections for a new National Executive Committee (NEC) and other structures were held on Wednesday night, between midnight and 3am. Then the counting process lasted until 10am. The SNAT leader was uncontested in the race for presidency and according to the elections committee, a sum of 65 delegates abstained from casting their votes for the position of president and seven votes were spoilt. As a result, the committee said the leader of the union obtained 228 votes and he retained his position.

Interview

In a brief interview after the elections, the president thanked the outgoing NEC for the collective effort they put during their tenure in office, in making sure the welfare of their members was taken care of. He also thanked the delegates for having trust in him. “I promise that together with my new executive, we will do all we can to work for better lives for our members,” he said. On the other hand, the committee said there were two candidates who were running for the position of deputy president, in Bonginkhosi Msibi and Lungile Mthupha. Only one delegate abstained from voting and one vote was spoilt. It said Msibi won the race against Mthupha with 157 votes to 141 votes.

Uncontended

Meanwhile, the outgoing Secretary General, Sikelela Dlamini, will pass the baton to Lot ‘Jesus’ Vilakati, who was also uncontested for the position. The elections committee said the incoming SG obtained 233 votes, as 63 delegates abstained from voting, while five votes were spoilt. Vilakati was the Lubombo Regional Secretary of the organisation. The position of deputy secretary general, which was occupied by Simanga Khumalo, will now be held by Mxolisi Ngcamphalala, who was the deputy secretary of the Big Bend branch of SNAT. This comes after Ngcamphalala thrashed his competitor, Mfanukhona Ndlovukazi with 197 to 102 votes. In this position, all the delegates cast their votes, but one of the votes was spoilt.

The elections committee highlighted that the position of organising secretary had the toughest contest. Testimony to this is that the two candidates who were contesting for this position; Mlondi Dlamini (outgoing) and Victor ‘Mavikane’ Dlamini had a tie. As such, the elections committee reported the developments to the delegates and asked to hold a re-election. The re-election was held and ‘Mavikane’ was victorious with 155 votes, while his competitor obtained 132. All the delegates voted and no vote was spoilt. On the other hand, outgoing SNAT Recording Secretary Emmanuel Dlamini, who wanted to retain his position, was up against Welcome Mamba. The elections committee announced that the outgoing recording secretary lost to Mamba with 126 to 172 votes. It was reported that two delegates abstained under this position and no vote was spoilt.

Again, SNAT outgoing National Treasurer Khumbuzile Sithebe, also lost her position to Busalive Hlatjwayo. This was after Sithebe obtained 133 votes and Hlatjwayo got 163 votes. No vote was spoilt and all the delegates voted. On the other hand, SNAT Editor Mcolisi Motsa, retained his position uncontested. The elections committee reported that a total of 50 delegates abstained from voting and five votes were spoilt. As a result, the editor obtained 245 votes. Meanwhile, the outgoing SNAT Sub-Editor, Futhile Dlamini, who was up against Lindiwe Dlamini, lost her position to the latter with 141 votes to 158. Only one delegate abstained from voting and no vote was spoilt. Moreover, Sifiso Vilakati retained her position as SNAT Gender and Human Rights Officer, as she was uncontested. According to the elections committee’s report, she obtained 278 votes, while 20 delegates abstained from voting and two votes were spoilt.