By Alpheous Nxumalo

His Excellency President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa, recently vowed to crush the construction mafia in KwaZulu-Natal(KZN) for resorting to illegal means and methods to access business in that country. 

The President’s warning was termed as an act of “the reading the riot act" to the business community associated with the construction industry in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

This business community is known for using violence, threats, coercion and intimidation to gain access to portions of government's infrastructure tenders in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

President Ramaphosa told them that they have to use the right channels to get business, otherwise, “we will deal with you!", he told them. The Republic of South Africa has already created a special police unit to deal with those who are using strong - arm tactics and mafia style to force business deals in that country. President Ramaphosa told them that they have no choice but to use the right and legal channels to access business. 

The underhand mafia tactics are going to be equally met by the might of the law.

Well, that’s how a government should prevent a state from sliding into a mafia, lawless and eventually a failed state. Be Decisive in the face of lawlessness and emboldened gun violence. That's how even the notorious taxi business violence and killings were minimized and 0neutralized in that country. You can't cut business deals through the Burrell of the gun or by simply “acquiring guns”. No! you cut business deals through negotiations and lobbying. 

It is for this reason that Eswatini Government urge that any group of people who feel like they are unjustly excluded from a certain sector or industry in the country, must do the only right and honourable thing - approach the relevant structures and players and engage. Crying Neal this, Ashraf that, Shakantu the other and Montigny the rest, is not to man - Up as they call it but it's a baby - cry. Government is more than ready and willing to facilitate such through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade. 

This Ministry is manned at the political level by an able, active and productive Minister in the person of Hon. Mancoba Khumalo. Batamkhandza abamele emnyango eoffice.

 In the ultimate, the outcome desirable to all especially to His Majesty King Mswati III and His government under the administration of His Excellency R.T. Honourable Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, is that all Emaswati should be found in the mainstream or center of the economy of the Kingdom of Eswatini being active and being major players, not just regaling bread crumbs or collecting leftovers.

No! This is the practical meaning of our Kingdom's independence! This is the practical meaning of creating wealth and prosperity for Emaswati! This is the practical meaning and transformation or turn - around of the dreams and the passion of His Majesty King Mswati III and INDLOVUKAZI, as witnessed in many of their respective personal business initiatives on the ground, deliberately targeted at uplifting the living standards of the nation and thus deal a blow to the poverty figures being flagged around by some international organizations-yes of course, some are just cooked and are political motivated and inclined poverty figures. 

Therefore, Emaswati should not under any circumstances and situations, allow politically radicalized entities to use legitimate concerns for Emaswati to gain political mileage and leverage.If we allow regime change oriented entities to hijack our legitimate business causes in the country; we will delay, derail and divert ourselves from the goal of attaining 1st world status! BATASIBAMBELELA!!!

Alpheous Nxumalo is the Spokesperson for the Government of the Kingdom of eSwatini.