SLOVAKIA-BASED PLAYERS CELEBRATE EX-PM

MBABANE – Two Eswatini footballers based in Slovakia, Lwethu Simelane and Mcolisi Tsabedze, have joined the sports community in Eswatini in wishing former Prime Minister Dr A.T. Dlamini a happy birthday ahead of his 70th birthday celebration.

This is according to reports on operanews.com by Femi Fasetire. The duo left Eswatini last year to pursue their career abroad. 

They are currently in Slovakia waiting for a Denmark deal to materialise. 

They are stuck in Slovakia because of the travelling restrictions due to the COVID-19. 

Although Dlamini’s latest milestone is on December 1st, Simelane, who is regarded as a very agile and acrobatic goalkeeper, as well as Tsabedze, renowned as a vastly talented attacking midfielder, both expressed delight with Dlamini’s strides and prayed that he would live longer for many more years to come.

Simelane and Tsabedze join the whole of Eswatini in anticipation of the upcoming date, with the royal family and politicians leading the way, but the football community will not be left out, considering that Dlamini not only showed passion for the game, he also got physically involved at home and abroad, up to his early days in office.

It is on record that the man fondly called ‘A.T.’ showed immense talent as a budding footballer all through his secondary school days, up to the university level in Eswatini and England, which left many of his neighbours, friends and family members touting him as a future soccer star.

play

He went on to play for three years during his time at university, wearing the captain’s band at intervals, as he showed blistering pace, breathtaking dribbles and creative passing skills that rated him among the best outside-right youngsters across the nation.

‘A.T’ continued showcasing his football talent during his days in England, where he went for the next chapter of his academics. His football exploits were reminiscent of the heroics of outside-right wingers like Kevin Keegan, George Best, Garinccha and Johann Cruyff.

It was from his days in England that Dr Dlamini began following Chelsea Football Club with lots of zeal and energy, while also not leaving out the home front, as he showed an even deeper level of love for Mbabane Swallows FC in the Swazi League. 

It was not surprising that he eventually went on to become the treasurer of Swallows.

It is another opportunity to felicitate and identify with a man who has touched many lives in varying dimensions and across several sectors, as a member of the royal family, academician, politician, administrator, sports enthusiastic, sponsor and clergyman.

He is a man of many feathers, one who makes it veracious to say ‘a Jack of many trades and master all,’ because he is versatile to the letter and always ready to try out something new, so long as it brings edification to the Kingdom of Eswatini and its people.

multi-purpose

Born December 1, 1950, Dr A.T Dlamini was the Prime Minister of Eswatini from November 2003 to September 2008 and he is currently the managing director of a multi-purpose government agency and support organisation called Tibiyo Taka Ngwane.

He graduated from University of Botswana and Swaziland in 1978 with a Bachelor’s degree, then got a Master’s Degree from University of Nairobi in 1987 earned and gained experience in many different fields; among which were manager positions with Eswatini National Provident Fund, Central Bank of Eswatini and Eswatini Industrial Development Company.

Trumpets of celebration are already rolling, drums of gaiety are piling up, enthusiasm is brewing for the merriment to come and strings of delight are being firmed up, as the nation kingdom rises as one in honour of an esteemed son of the land, who has etched his name in the world’s history books and it would be impossible to obliterate his impact from memory.

He has traversed key sectors of life at home and abroad – education, business, corporate bodies, public governance, politics, royalty, culture, tradition, civil society, community service, religion, health, sports, philanthropy and international relations.

‘A.T’ is the man of the people and, considering how many folk from the high and low he has affected and continues to affect positively, there is no doubt that Dr Dlamini is a fulfilled man, with everyone that has known him or associated with him one way or the other acclaiming his lofty values, and they are all ready to unfold the red carpet come December 1.

celebrate

Rising as one is what everyone in and outside Eswatini will do on Tuesday, as the nation rises as one to celebrate an icon, a man who grew to become a colossus for the nation despite growing up in humble surroundings.

He was born in the town of Ngcoseni at the foot of Bhokolondlo Mountain, as a descendant of King Somhlolo. He is from the house of Prince Manyakatane of Ngcoseni, son of heroic Prince Fata of Ntondozi, whose patriotism and loyalty to King Mswati II earned him the priceless and lofty possession of land at Ntondozi from the royal father.

His childhood was replete with bliss at the home front, inspired by his domestic worker mother, Sibolile Sarafina, who infused in him piety and trust in God. His family lived a modest life, devoid of fancy, but no one could mistake the fact that the young Themba was destined for greatness.

An ordained reverend himself, Dr. Dlamini has won several local and international awards that include Medal of Chief Councillor of the Royal Order of King Sobhuza II, Order of Eswatini of King Mswati III, Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon – Taiwan, Forty fifth Anniversary Award (Independence) from His Majesty King Mswati III and World Citizen Award of Excellence in Bahamas Islands.

It was during Dlamini’s time as Prime Minister that Eswatini’s national football team, nicknamed Sihlangu Semnikati (King’s Shield) achieved their biggest win in a World Cup qualifier, when they beat Germany 2006 qualifiers, Togo 2-1 on June 8, 2008.

One other zeal about football that grew with him was his readiness to always exchange his tie, suit and shoes for football jersey and boots, as it was seen on a number of occasions when he lined out as ‘Cabinet Captain’ when the executive arm of government played against the legislature.

energetic

The energetic members of parliament always ended up facing the reality that the Cabinet Team was being led by a man who could have been as great as George Oppong Weah, Kalusha Bwalya, Shaun Bartlett, Abedi ‘Pele’ Ayew, Nwankwo Kanu, Sadio Mane or Mohammed Salah had he not taken more to academics than to soccer.

His choice of vocations, though, eventually took him to the top of government and the political echelon in his home country, with memories still lingering over the good leadership style he exuded during his days as ‘PM’ such that it is with anticipation that everyone is now looking up to his 70th birthday ceremony on December 1.

inspired

That has inspired Simelane and Tsabedze to join the felicitations for Dlamini and temporarily forget about their inability to get a joint-switch to Denmark for a better club deal earlier this year, when the advent of COVID-19 put their travel plans on hold.

Simelane and Tsabedze enthused in a joint-statement through their agent: “We are happy to hear that Dr Dlamini will clock 70 on December 1. 

That is big news and good news, especially for those of us who he touched through his love for football.

“We wish him a happy birthday and pray for more celebrations ahead of him. His active involvement in football has kept him going stronger and we believe he will be even stronger after turning 70, with expectations of more years to come. Happy Birthday, A.T.”

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