Politics

LOBAMBA – Nhlambeni MP Manzi Zwane has alleged that the spat between Education Minister Owen Nxumalo and PS Nanikie Mnisi somehow involves over E250 000.

The MP said this when he cast doubt on a statement by the minister that he and the Principal Secretary (PS) had ‘buried the hatchet’ and were now working towards a common goal.

Zwane said it is surprising that the minister claims the issue has been resolved without giving details.

“He says the issue has been resolved, but we do not know how because I understand money is involved here and that is over E250 000. One wonders if money exchanged hands (bandivelene),” he said. However, Zwane was made to withdraw the statement as the minister asked for protection from the chairperson.

To this, Zwane said he was merely making an example. Mafutseni MP Sabelo Mtetwa said he was happy that the Minister and PS had resolved their differences, but added that the issue of Baha’i Schools still needed to be resolved. Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Sithobela MP Mancoba Sihlongonyane, said he hoped the minister was speaking from the bottom of his heart and had not borrowed words to pull the wool over the eyes of MPs.

When making his preamble the minister, who sat next to the PS, said he was happy that he and the PS were now working towards the common goal of improving the education sector, as they had resolved their differences.

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Hhukwini MP questions support staff conditions

LOBAMBA – Hhukwini MP Alec Lushaba questioned Education Minister Owen Nxumalo on why school support staff are working under terrible conditions.

These include groundsmen, secretaries, guards and others. He asked the minister what was being done about the plight of the support staff. “You will be getting dvuladvula (bumper pay) soon, but nothing is being said about the support staff in schools,” he said.

He also asked the minister to explain why the Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC) is not accrediting colleges without proper investigation. Gege MP Agrippa ‘Magesi’ Dlamini asked the minister to resolve the issue of students who graduated from a college within the Royal Science and Technology Park before their future is negatively affected.

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‘Education minister scarce’

LOBAMBA – Lubombo Region MP Futhi Ngcamphalala refused to debate the Education report, stating that the minister is hard to meet.

Lubombo Region MP Futhi Ngcamphalala said she would not debate the Education and Training performance report, because the minister is hard to get. The minister only avails himself when he wants to. When we want to meet him over important things, he is not always available.

“I feel that he is disrespectful,” she said. The minister, responding to this, said it is surprising that he can be labelled as disrespectful simply because he was not available when sought. “If she cannot meet the minister, then the minister is disrespectful. There were no preparations made before that meeting,” he said.

Crying contract teacher confronts minister

LOBAMBA – A distraught female teacher reportedly cried hysterically to Education Minister Owen Nxumalo, complaining that she had been on contract for too long.

The teacher was left with only two years to retire when she realised she would retire with no benefits.

The story was related by the minister when responding to questions from the Members of Parliament during the debate of his ministry’s performance report for the second quarter.

Minister Nxumalo said the non-hiring of teachers on permanent contracts was also affecting him.

He said the plight of teachers on contract will be made a priority so that they do not retire without benefits.

*Full article available in our publication.

Buried the hatchet. Minister for Education and Training Owen Nxumalo and Principal Secretary Nanikie Mnisi in Parliament. They are with Mafutseni MP Sabelo Mtetwa (R) and Timphisini MP Thulani Nsingwane. (Pics Timothy Simelane)

Officials from the Ministry of Education and Training following proceedings in Parliament.