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9 ministers in parly race

05/08/2013 05:43:00 BY LINDA JELE

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MBABANE – At least nine former Cabinet ministers were confirmed to have clawed their way back into the race for Parliament seats at the past weekend.

Former Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Hlobisile Ndlovu, though she was up against popular names within her chiefdom on Saturday, she still made it back into the list of MP nominees.

Lutfo Dlamini, the former Ndzingeni MP and also ex-Minister of Labour and Social Security received an overwhelming support to stand for elections again. He too, was high up in the nominees’ list. This was much the same for Benedict Xaba, former Minister of Health and Mahlalini MP. He effortlessly made it to the top of the MP nominees’ list.

This is the man who months ago said he was ordained by God to represent the people of Shiselweni II in Parliament. Former MP of Maseyisini and Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Mduduzi ‘Small Joe’ Dlamini was back in the running thanks to his supporters.

Patrick ‘Magobetane’ Mamba, ex-Sithobelweni Member of Parliament (MP)and ex-Minister of Public Service, was also nominated and seconded into the list of potential MPs. The similar applied to Clement Dlamini, the ex-MP of Ekukhanyeni and Minister of Agriculture, and also Ntuthuko Dlamini, ex-MP of LaMgabhi and ex-Minister of Public Works and Transport.

Wilson ‘Makhalempi’ Ntshangase, the ex-Minister of Education and Training was pulled back into the race by popular demand. His Cabinet colleague Rodgers Mamba, ex-MP of Mkhiweni and ex-Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development was also nominated.

Meanwhile, ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mtiti Fakudze lost an opportunity of being nominated at Dvokodvweni because he was absent. He was said to have travelled to Iran with former Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini. On the other hand, ‘back in the race by popular demand’ is a statement that best describes the situation with many ex-MPs, who three days ago their term was officially ended.

His Majesty King Mswati III, during Sibaya at Ludzidzini Cattle Byre, bid them farewell and some good luck in their future endeavours, a majority of which became clear over the weekend. They all want to return to their political life for another five years.

The nomination of former Motshane Constituency MP Robert Magongo at Ndumo Royal Kraal on Saturday left nothing to be desired about where he was headed. He was a hit with a majority of the folk in the chiefdom who swore that their pick would have the honour of being called an MP again.

Former Timpisini MP Jennifer du Pont, who had a dramatic nomination on Saturday at Ludzibini Chiefdom, proved that she will let nothing stand in her way. Harassed for running for the elections because she is a widow, her support stood resilient and ensured she made it back into the MP nominees’ list.

There was no prize for guessing that political stalwart Marwick Khumalo, ex-Lobamba Lomdzala MP, would be brought back into the race for a Parliament seat. The electorate beckoned for his return to politics by demand, withstanding the allegations he faced regarding the Commonwealth, Parliamentary Association (CPA) funds.

Manzini North ex-MP Macford Sibandze, who was Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, came out tops in the list of MP nominees on Saturday despite boos from some people.
Gospel artist turned politician Frans Dlamini, ex-Nhlambeni MP was mobbed by about 100 supporters at Nhlambeni Chiefdom on Saturday. The same could not be said for Kwaluseni ex-MP Sibusiso ‘Mabhanisi’ Dlamini as he endured a lot of booing from the floor when he was nominated.

Former Siphofaneni MP Gundvwane Gamedze‘s staying power did not let him down once again on Saturday. He was the people’s choice as a nominee and will have to compete with Chief Magwagwa Gamedze’s brother Clement. Joseph Souza, ex-MP of Lugongolweni, Trusty Gina, ex-MP of Nkilongo, Timothy Myeni, ex-MP of Lubulini, Enock Dlamini, ex-MP of Nkhaba, Aaron Sotja Dladla, ex-MP of Nkwene, and Esther Dlamini, ex-MP for Mbabane East, were all nominated for the Parliament race.

However, the same cannot be said for ex MP of Hhukwini Mkhululi Dlamini, who yesterday officially threw in the towel after declining to race again. He raised eyebrows when he made a stop at Dlangeni Royal Kraal where nominations were ongoing.

Former Lomahasha MP Meninjeni Mahlalela indicated many months ago that he would no longer be in the running for a Parliament seat this year due to health reasons.