REGIONAL WOMEN MPS TOLD: DON’T COMPETE WITH MPS OR GOSSIP

LOBAMBA – Members of Parliament (MPs) have advised their newly sworn-in colleagues not to compete with them, gossip or cause conflict among members of the House.

The four regional women MPs took the oath of allegiance, which was officiated by the Clerk to Parliament, Benedict Xaba. Manzini Region MP Thandeka Mavuso, Shiselweni Region MP Lindiwe Mamba, Hhohho Region MP Tanele Magagula and Lubombo Region MP Futhi Ngcamphalala, were sworn in in this order, in the presence of their colleagues in the House of Assembly.

Speaker

Shortly after the swearing-in ceremony, the Speaker, Jabulani Mabuza, gave three MPs an opportunity to welcome the new members of the House.
Minister of Public Service, Mabulala Maseko, was the first to jump onto this opportunity and he shared words of advice to the legislators.
Maseko said the regional women MPs, should not have a mentality of competing with the constituency MPs but should strive to work collaboratively with them, for the benefit of emaSwati.

“You are not here to compete with the MPs, but to complement them and work collaboratively with them and you are expected to go to all the constituencies in your region and assist where you can in development. “Coming last does not mean you are less important in the House but we are all equal here and should treat each other as equals,” he said.

Maseko further cautioned the regional women MPs not to gossip in Parliament or cause conflict among the members, but maintain a high level of respect for everybody, put the supreme law of the country and the Parliament Standing Orders first. He said the election of the regional women MPs had resulted in a significant increase as far as women representation in the House was concerned. “This goes to show that the Tinkhundla System of Government does not discriminate in any way,” he said.

Democracy

Mtsambama MP, Sibongile Mamba, said it was good to see democracy at play in the election of the regional women MPs and she was hopeful that the presence of women would be felt in the 12th Parliament. She also emphasised that the MPs should not compete with their colleagues but work in collaboration with them. Mhlangatane MP, Madala Mhlanga, submitted that he was hopeful that the regional women MPs would also be inducted on Parliament procedures, just like the rest of the parliamentarians had been in the last few days. “It is of utmost importance that you appreciate how Parliament business is conducted and you familiarise yourselves with the Standing Orders,” he said.

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