Any leader who interprets genuine criticism and/or a different view as enmity lacks the basic understanding of the fundamental principles of leadership, an opposing view does not weaken but strengthens, compliments and enhance good and ethical leadership.
Personally, I am working on some international projects because the then Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo played a significant role in promoting me internationally, the are things I wouldn’t have achieved without a strong opposition and criticism.
An opposing view if analyzed objectively, helps one to identify his/her mistakes and improve, not everything that comes from an opposition through criticism should be considered as a hostile opinion seeking to undermine the authority of those in power.
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has been clashing with some Ministers during Cabinet meetings and some of these Minsters include Education Minister Owen Nxumalo, Information Minister Savanna Maziya, Commerce Minister Mancoba Khumalo and recently, he clashed with Ministers Sikhumbuzo Dlamini and Mabulala Maseko.
But Savannah Maziya, the Minister of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) has been frustrated and sabotaged by the PM, one wonders why is the Prime Minister failing to work with Ministers he disagrees with, instead of adopting the “unity in diversity” principles.
The ICT Minister has facilitated and implemented practical technology projects in the country, the Mbabane Smart City is one of those projects, the PM should be working with intelligent Ministers even if he disagrees with them and, the achievements will then be attributed to Government as a collective and, under his administration.
Even Education Minister Owen Nxumalo, despite his mistakes, he has professionalize and improved the working relationship between the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) and Government even though we know he is scoring some political points but, he is trying to improve the education system.
A Cabinet reshuffle must not be influenced by the Prime Minister’s political feelings but public interest and/or the desire to improve service delivery.
But having shared these sentiments, it is of paramount importance to state that, the Prime Minister is constitutionally within his mandate to reshuffle Cabinet, however, he must not be allowed to advise the King to take decisions that impacts the Nation based on personal hatred for some Cabinet Ministers.
Home Affairs Minister Princess Lindiwe is one of the most silent alleged corrupt thieves in Cabinet but, she is very close to the Prime Minister.
It would be very unfortunate if the King acting on the advise of the PM will remove Ministers who are working merely for disagreeing with the Prime Minister and then allow alleged silent political thieves like Lindiwe to continue looting public funds.
Princess Lindiwe is a Minister who never crossed paths with the PM but, she is a talented alleged political thief having ‘mentored’ by her husband Bishop Robert Kasaro, there’s overwhelming evidence to substantiate these allegations.
Then we have Natural Resources and Energy Minister Prince Lonkhokhela who allegedly steals minerals, these alleged royal thieves were never elected by the people and they are a serious problem in this country due to their political appetite to steal and accumulate wealth.
But a Cabinet reshuffle must demonstrate the King and Prime Minister’s desire to improve service delivery and develop this country, disagreements have been and, will always be there in Cabinet meetings, criticism and opposing views test the character of any leader.
In conclusion and in my view, is it important to highlight that, any Cabinet reshuffle must be in the public interest not in Prime Minister’s personal or political interests.
Recently, Government’s technology systems were not functioning properly because the Prime Minister is busy ‘fighting’ Savannah Maziya and delaying the establishment of proper governing structures with the Ministry in charge of technological development in this country.
The PM, when delivering his End of Year of Year Statement, highlighted Government’s achievements and some of these achievements came subsequent to vigorous efforts by other Ministers and Government officials.
It is therefore, important for the PM to understand that, Ministers must not be removed because they are opposing him during Cabinet meetings but, Cabinet Ministers must be removed for corruption, maladministration underperforming and/or failing to deliver basic services to the people among others.
This country is facing a health crisis, no scholarships for deserving University students, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport is not maintaining roads in the rural areas.
But apart from that, Water Services is supplying expensive and muddy water while the Electricity Company under the Ministry of Natural Resources is failing to provide adequate services except to supply expensive electricity.
But before the removal of any Cabinet Minister, let’s see a collective political will to address these social challenges and the allocation of sufficient budgets and resources in this regard.
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini.