Miss SD finalists
get close to nature
Stories by
Mphikeleli Msibi
From The Swazi Observer
27/04/2007
ALL Miss Swaziland contestants are fresh
from their first professional photo shoot
held at Nisela Safaris in the Lowveld just
outside of Big Bend.
For this kind gesture the Swaziland
Organising Committee has expressed their
gratitude to the management of Nisela
Safaris for taking care of the finalists
during last weekend’s photoshoot (food and
accommodation).
This was the first in a series of
preparatory events to be staged by the
pageant organisers.
“We are grateful for what Nisela
Safaris has done for the girls,” said Miss
Swaziland Organising Committee Marketing
Director Ndumiso Mdziniso.
The girls arrived at 6 p.m on last
Friday at the main camp of Nisela, where
they had their dinner, they then proceeded
to the Nisela Guest house were they spend
the night.
In the morning they were summoned to do
some fitness exercises, to enhance their
bodies and make them generally more fit.
“The purpose of the exercise is to get
the girls to be fit and for them to have
an opportunity to bond through shared
activities,” Mdziniso said.
The girls had their breakfast which was
followed by a make-up at 8a.m with Vinah
in preparation for a lingerie photo shoot
with Steve Hall.
“The lingerie was sponsored by Intrigue
Lingerie shop in Manzini (with special
thanks to Thobi Motsa, the owner). Each
girl was photographed by Steve, at
different locations, chosen with regards
their wear,” he said.
Soon after the photo shoot the girls
were involved in a number of activities
including going to the Snake Park to see a
variety of snakes, where some of them were
daring enough to hold a python and went
for on a safari where they saw a different
kinds of animals.
“Before lunch the girls were given a
short lecture on HIV and Aids by a
representative from Nercha to make them
aware of what it means to be a role model
and how they can help in the AIDS
prevention as aspiring Miss Swaziland,” he
said.
A selection of some of the girls
pictured will be used in the making of the
calendar featuring all 12 contestants
which is to be sold at the end of the
final on July 2, 2007 at the Convention
Centre.
Others will be displayed on the profile
pages of the girls on the on HYPERLINK
'http://www.miss-swaziland.com' and
www.miss-swaziland.com.
Soon after a number of the days’ event
the girls started practicing cat walking
which was conducted by Vinah Mamba and
they went on enjoying themselves till
about midnight when they went to sleep.
The Marketing Team would like to thank
Royston Signs in Mbabane for designing and
creating a banner for Miss Swaziland.
“Thank you also to First Environmental
Company for Transport and video tapes,” he
said.
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Petrol price could soon hit E7 mark
BY INNOCENT MAPHALALA
From The Swazi Times27/04/2007
MBABANE – he ‘possibility’ of the price of fuel reaching
the E7 per litre mark has now become a reality.
This comes after the increase – by up
to 34 cents per litre – in the price of fuel in South
Africa. This brought the price of Unleaded 95 Petrol in
inland provinces to R7.01. The previous price was R6.67.
The price of fuel in Swaziland always follows the South
African trend. Reports from South Africa are that the
price of fuel goes up at midnight next Tuesday. This is
when the 5.2 percent increase comes to effect.
It adds to the 69 cents per litre jump motorists were
hit with at the beginning of this month.
It has been established that the increase would be even
worse if the Rand had not gained strength against the
United States Dollar.
The local Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy
stated when announcing the latest increase three weeks
ago, that the prospects were not good.
PS
ACCUSED OF LYING
By Njabulo Dlamini
19/04/2007
From The Swazi Observer
PRINCIPAL Secretary in the Ministry of Defence Dr.
John Kunene has been accused of lying before the
Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Appearing before the committee yesterday, Dr. Kunene
informed the members that he had complied with a
number of resolutions taken by parliament last year
pertaining to the use of funds by his ministry.
However, the acting Auditor General, Africa Hadebe,
denied that he had received any reports of compliance.
It was then that the PAC members felt the PS was
taking parliament for a ride.
According to SBIS news Dr. Kunene, in his defence,
insisted that he had complied with some of the
resolutions and was prepared to provide proof.
He was told that he should have submitted any proof
to the Auditor General a long time ago as stated by
SBIS news. Meanwhile Principal Secretary at the
Ministry of Enterprise and Employment Bertram Stewart
was sent back to Mbabane to collect evidence after he
also insisted that he had submitted a report required
by parliament to the Auditor General.
Again the Auditor General denied ever receiving any
report from the Enterprise Principal Secretary. It was
then that Chairman of the PAC and Kukhanyeni MP
Clement Dlamini sent Stewart back to Mbabane to
collect the evidence. At first Stewart is said to have
wondered whether the committee was chasing him away
but MP Dlamini told him to leave and bring back the
evidence later as required. The PAC team has already
commenced its sittings and comprises MPs tasked with
determining how public funds were utilised by the line
ministries and whether recommendations made in the
previous years were complied with.
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Kombi owner shot
dead
by MUSA NHLEKO
From The Swazi Times
19/04/2007
MANZINI – A kombi owner was on Monday
night shot and killed by four men who
found him sitting inside his car with
a friend at Mbhuleni.
The kombi owner, Thulani Maseko, was
assistant administrator at the HIV and
AIDS Prevention and Care Programme (HAPAC)
and worked closely with the Ministry
of Health and Social Welfare and other
Non-Governmental Organisations.
This was around 9pm.
Maseko, who owned kombies named
Badidile and Man that operated between
Manzini and Zombodze, was shot once in
the head while the female friend he
was with did not have a hair on her
head touched.
He died at the
Mbabane Govern-ment Hospital after he
was transferred from the Raleigh
Fitkin Memorial Hospital (RFM) after
doctors discovered that the wounds he
had suffered were critical.
The motive of the killing could not be
ascertained, but it was, however,
gathered that a man of South African
origin had come looking for him at his
home on Sunday.
The man was not known to any of the
family members.
“On Monday, he came back from work and
told his wife that he was going out
for a moment, but did not say where.
He lived at Embikwakhe with his
family.
“It could not be established where
exactly it was that he went, but when
he was shot he was at Mbhuleni.
“He was sitting on the passenger seat
in the car, while his friend sat in
the driver’s seat.
“A sedan drove past and was
immediately followed by four men who
came running on foot,” said a source.
One of the men was said to have been
carrying a bushknife.
“They are all said to have gone around
to the driver’s seat and opened the
door.
“One of them, upon opening the door,
said ‘finally we have found you’, but
stopped when he realised that there
was a woman in the driver’s seat.
“They then looked inside the car and
saw him sitting in the passenger seat.
“They did not say anything else, but
pulled out the gun and shot him once
in the head before disappearing into
the night.
“They did not even touch the girl or
take anything from the car,” the
source said.
The woman, who is still traumati-sed
by incident, is said to have called
the police who arrived at the scene
and rushed Maseko, who was still alive
at the time, to the RFM Hospi-tal.
“He, however, could not get treatment
at the RFM and he was rushed to the
Mbabane Government Hospital where he
succumbed to death,” it was gathered.
Police Public Relations Officer
Superintendent Vusi Masuku confirmed
the incident, adding that
investigations were underway.
The deceased’s family could not be
reached for comment at the time of
going to press.
Secondary
schools to be phased out
By Njabulo Dlamini
13/04/2007
From The Swazi Observer
GOVERNMENT will soon be phasing out the concept of secondary
school learning following introduction of the new syllabus
commonly referred to as IGCSE (International General
Certificate of Secondary Education). This effectively means
there shall be no schools ending in Form Three or Junior
Certificate level (secondary) as all shall be converted to
high schools.
As a result, some parents in certain communities are
engaged in converting secondary to high schools through
constructing new blocks of classes.
Such is intended to ensure a 10-year learning period for
pupils since Form Five will no longer be undertaken by all,
save for a few learners. Again, the concept follows the
phasing out of JC exams as from next year.
“If we are talking about a 10-year session in education, we
will have to do away with the secondary method of learning.
The phasing out process is underway,” disclosed Ministry of
Education PS Goodman Kunene in an interview.
However, SNAT Secretary General Dominic Nxumalo said they
were not as yet aware of the matter. “It’s only when we see
the issue you are talking about that we would advance
comments, but for now, we treat it as hearsay,” Nxumalo said.
No comments could be obtained from the Swaziland Head
teachers Association (SHA) Chairman Charles Bennett nor from
Bethwell Ndlovu, Chief Inspector of Secondary Schools, who
were both unavailable.
(H)IGCSE is the core for learners and will be done in four
years as opposed to the existing mode of five years. The (H)
component will be mainly for smart learners as an equivalent
of A levels after completion of the IGCSE level.
According to schedule, O’ Level exams will be written for
the last time this year and along with that, the first IGCSE
exams will be undertaken by some pupils following introduction
of the programme by the ministry of education last year.
Recently, the Exams Council announced a E50 reduction in exam
fees, but still parents felt the fees were exorbitant, a fact
alluded to by Registrar Dr. Njabu Dlamini who said IGCSE was
an expensive programme, but quality and skills based as well
as being learner centred as opposed to O’ Level.
But critics have previously expressed skepticism about the
IGCSE programme in that there were no failures under it,
further noting that it sought to lower standards.
This follows revelations that IGCSE caters even for the G
and H grades whereas O’ Level only catered for A-F grades.
12
arrested at blockade
BY MUSA NHLEKO
From The Swazi Times
11/04/2007
TSHANENI – A Customs officer was among
12 people who were arrested during the
blockade held at various border posts
yesterday.
The Customs
officer’s arrest came after police
received information that some members
of the People’s United Democratic
Movement (PUDEMO), who had earlier run
away when police pounced on them were
hiding in a house.
The police pounced on the group of
about 13 activists as they made their
way to man the blockade at the Mananga
Border Post. The time was about 6am.
The activists, upon seeing the police,
ran away but six of them were not
lucky as they were arrested and taken
to the Tshaneni Police Station, where
they were charged with sedition.
The charge was preferred against them
for the placards they were carrying.
It was then gathered that the placards
had derogatory information, which the
police felt was of a seditious nature.
The rest of the activists, however,
managed to get away, temporarily
nonetheless.
“When the police returned later,
around 10:30am, they received
information that some of the
activists, who had escaped arrest
earlier, were hiding in the Customs
officer’s house. They were informed by
some of the people at the border.
“The Customs officer was then
instructed to lead the police to his
house, where police indeed found five
of the men hiding. They had dagga with
them and were arrested for possession
of the herb without a licence,” said a
source.
It was gathered that the Customs
officer was arrested together with the
five as they were found in his house
with the dagga.
Further investigations revealed that
police could not prefer the same
charge of sedition against the
activists who were arrested later as
they had already discarded the
placards. Among those charged with
sedition was Mphandlana Shongwe.
The arrests were communicated
immediately to the border posts, where
the blockades were supposed to be
held. It had some senior members of
the PUDEMO executive concerned as the
organisation’s national treasurer,
Vusi Mnisi, rushed there with plastics
of food.
When Mnisi was at the police station,
only the first six were booked. While
in an interview with this newspaper,
Mnisi received a call that six more
had been arrested. Mnisi did not stay
long at the police station as he left
hurriedly only to be missed by Shongwe
who came looking for him under police
escort.
Police Public Relations Officer
Superintendent Vusi Masuku confirmed
the arrest of the 12 men, adding that
six had been charged with sedition.
Masuku further confirmed that police
had been informed that the men who ran
away earlier were hiding in one of the
nearby houses, but when police got
there, they were no longer carrying
the placards, which made it difficult
for them to charge them with sedition
like their friends.
“They were, however, found with an
illegal substance without a licence
and they were charged for that. “They
are all due to appear at Magistrate’s
Courts today,” he said.
PASTOR SAYS AU
IS EVIL
By Howard
Mavuso
11/04/2007
From The Swazi Observer
IN what may be viewed as unfortunate
utterances, Chairman of the League of
Swaziland Churches Bishop Samson
Hlatjwako has appealed to His Majesty
King Mswati III that Swaziland should
not join the African Union
organisation because it is evil.
He made this remarks when pastors
under the league came to bid the King
farewell at Ngabezweni Royal Residents
yesterday.
He said the AU brought evil habits.
He said they had witnessed in the
other continents where gays and
lesbians were allowed to marry other
people of the same sex.
“We do not want to see the same
thing happening in Swaziland. Such
things are evil and they are against
God. We are right the way we are. Your
Majesty, God chose you to lead,
protect us,” he said.
He added that Swaziland was a
peaceful country, therefore they
needed no one else other than God to
protect them
His Majesty said the nation should
make sure that in everything they did,
they must put God first.
He said he was impressed about the
attendance and that was a sign that
the country appreciated that Christ
died for mankind.
“We know that currently we had been
praying to the Almighty God that he
helped us through the drought faced by
the country and God has answered our
prayers. Since the Easter Holidays
started he has blessed us with
rainfall and we should be grateful
about that,” said the King.
He added that he was certain that
the country had received blessings
from God since Easters started. He
said if there would be any
difficulties in the country, God would
see the nation through. “You should
remember that what is impossible with
man is possible with God. I noticed
that one pastor talked about the
African Union, but we cannot say any
thing for now, let’s put everything
before God, and he will be the answer
to every question that we ask,” he
added.
On another note the King hailed the
throngs of Christians who participated
in the Easter services held at the
Somhlolo national Stadium, Engabezweni
Royal Residence and Lobamba Nation
Church over the long weekend.
He stated that he was shocked when
he entered the national stadium to see
a large number of Christians occupying
every seat. He said such was a true
sign that Swaziland was God’s chosen
nation.
He said he wished God would protect
the pastors as they would be heading
home.
On a parallel note, the King
thanked the pastors for donating two
cows which the pastors said would be
used during his birthday celebration
to be held at Siteki next week Friday.
Hlatjwako said the money with which
they bought the beasts was donated by
the different pastors.
He stated that they wished that God
would protect him and give him the
knowledge to rule the nation. They
also presented CDs.
Hlatjwako also announced that
during the service on Sunday, those
who collected offering, did not do it
well, since after they announced that
they got E45 000 while it was supposed
to be E4500. He also said they said
the King donated E55 000 while it was
E5000, which was to add to E500 which
was donated by pastor Moses Warren.
Cold winter
expected
BY NHLANHLA
MATHUNJWA
From The Swazi Times
11/04/2007
MBABANE - Members of the public should
brace themselves for an extremely cold
winter as temperatures are expected to
drop to at least zero degrees Celsius.
It will be especially cold on high
grounds, which include such places as
Mbabane, Motshane, Pigg’s Peak,
Mankayane and Malolotja.
The Meteorology Department Director,
Emanuel Dlamini, said: “We might
experience a very cold winter season
as temperatures are expected to drop
to close to zero degrees Celsius.
There are days
where it would be warm, but the cold
frequency will still be there,” he
said.
Tremendous
He continued: “When looking at last
year’s weather, we have seen that
there will be tremendous change. This
year’s winter will be colder when
compared to last year’s. There were
days when we reached the zero degree
level then,” said Dlamini, who
explained that such low temperatures
were a rarity and lasted shorter
periods.
He said this year the drop in
temperatures would be prolonged.
“Temperatures will change regularly
and it will be colder and colder,” he
said.
He advised people to stay warm this
winter to avoid catching flu and other
related sicknesses.
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Without guarantee
From The Swazi Times
10/04/2007
Ngwane Teacher Training College students got yet another ‘taste’ of
governments deteriorating financial situation when they returned to
college after the break yesterday only to find there was no food
because the catering company had allegedly not been paid. A few
months ago they had to close when the college ran out of basic
teaching materials such as chalk.
The students may have been fortunate to go to sleep on bread
provided as an emergency relief yesterday, but this was without
guarantee that the situation would get any better today or anytime
soon.
Theirs is only one of several start-stop
scenarios that are characterizing government operations today where
any job done no longer has any guarantees for payment as agreed.
Money is coming in very short supply for those who genuinely deserve
it but in bucket loads for the corrupt as alluded to by the finance
minister who reckons a monthly E40 million package goes to the
thieves. We see nothing tangible yet to show much haste to put a
stop to it.
So how can we expect government to have money when it cannot account
for E65 million to level a ‘football pitch’ allegedly claiming to be
constructing a referral hospital in Siteki? What will the king be
told when he visits Siteki next week we wonder.
How does government hope to close the leak when it has laws that
allow ministers to draw double salaries, minister of finance
included; one from government and the other from the board of
trustees in the king’s office, courtesy of the same taxpayer.
And does it still make business sense for government to demand that
companies keep two months worth of wages for all staff fixed in
their bank accounts and continue to deliver goods but get no payment
for months on end?
How can government claim to be serving the interest of the public
when it takes the Public Works ministry over two months to fix small
problems such as a sewer system at the Mbabane Public Health Unit,
which educates on health and hygiene? (See Page 12).
The only obvious guarantee under the current circumstances is that
soon, civil servants will be asked to “sleep on bread” while
government tries to find money to pay them their salaries.
SA BANS 'DUBAIS'
FROM ITS ROADS
By Timothy Simelane
04/04/2007
From The Swazi Observer
IMPORTED used cars known as ‘dubais’ can no longer be driven on
South African roads, and will have to be transported on carriers
or by rail, the neighbouring country’s government has ruled.
The order has instilled mixed feelings on local dealers, some
saying the move is laudable whilst others feel there will be added
costs to the dealers and individual buyers.
The new order was issued by the KwaZulu Natal MEC who said it
was “protecting the South Africans from the dangers associated
with these vehicles.” (According to SAPA).
However, clearing and shipping agents affected have lodged an
application to appeal to the constitutional court against the
order.
A Matsapha import and export dealer who preferred to speak on
condition of anonymity because of the highly competitive nature of
the industry said this week’s developments would have various
implications on the industry.
He said insurance companies refused to compensate ‘local’ car
owners if their cars were involved in an accident with
unregistered vehicles in SA.
“The recent development will also serve to minimise the risk of
carjacking and robberies that usually occur when people return
from buying imported cars in South Africa.
If buyers carry the cars aboard carriers and trains they are
insured from all damages and theft that could easily occur; but
this is not the case if the vehicles driven on the roads.”
The dealer said it had been established that there was an
alleged syndicate operating in SA, which includes foreigners and
that country’s police officers.
“The high rate at which the dubai cars are stolen from SA
raises questions on their final destination because the
neighbouring country’s government does not register them. This,
therefore, compounds speculation that the cars are stolen by
foreigners and cleared again before being sent off to other
countries,” he said. The dealer said the recent changes would also
enable the Swazi government to get its due customs duties and
further easily regulate the inflow of the vehicles. He explained
the ruling by the Road Traffic Incorporation as final in that
importers had been previously allowed a one year grace period
after an interim order was issued, barring all used import cars
from being driven in South Africa after being purchased a few
years ago.
This week’s order was final, which is why shippers have had to
seek recourse from the constitutional court.
“One other problem was that there were many deviations
occurring in that cars bought in Durban, destined for Swaziland,
could easily be rerouted to Mozambique. As I speak there is a list
of cars that were supposed to have arrived in Swaziland but have
not, for what ever reason.”
He also said it was gathered that some South Africans were of
the habit of pretending to be Swazis when buying the import
vehicles. “At least, we will have more control now,” he said.
Meanwhile, a leading Manzini dealer said he had gathered that
the Ministry of Finance was also cooking a law that would, among
many provisions, make it mandatory for import cars not to be
driven on Swazi roads before they are registered.
“But the law has to follow all the pros and cons before it is
effected,” he said.
The Minister of Finance Majozi Sithole and senior officials
could not be reached yesterday as his cell phone was switched off.
Government Spokesperson Percy Simelane said he was not aware of
the legislation in making, but said it was the minister of finance
and his PS who could be helpful. |
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Like
Zimbabwe, like Swaziland?
From The Swazi Times
04/04/2007
It’s been hardly a week since the Prime
Minister, Themba Dlamini, landed from a SADC heads of state crisis
meeting over the harassment of civilians by the Zimbabwe government
that our local security forces decide to demonstrate a possible need
for a similar meeting on Swaziland.
Yesterday the President of the Swaziland National
Association of Civil Servants Quinton Dlamini was bungled into a
police van and driven around the city before he was delivered at the
new police station, which is under construction, for reasons best
known to the police. His crime was turning up at the PM’s offices
with his executive members without an appointment to enquire on
government’s failure to abide by a court order –issued
twice—instructing it to pay some members of his organisation money
due to them.
The order was first issued in November last year. Government was
given 21 days then. In February, SNACS went back to court and was
granted another order where government was given 14 days to comply.
It also defied this order.
The current Cabinet team earned itself a reputation of restoring the
rule of law having succeeded a cabinet that was hell bent on defying
orders from the highest court of the land.
Why would A.T and his team choose to untangle all the good work they
have done over the years at a time it matters most. A time when
critics are ready to call for this country’s silence over the
condemnation of Zimbabwe arguing we are no different.
While it was unprofessional of the organisation to turn up at the
Cabinet offices unannounced, it didn’t need a battalion of military
police officers to bungle out the SNACS executive from the PM’s
office premises.
They should rather have given them a definite date on when
government would obey the court order. Two wrongs don’t make a
right.
But then again, if SNACS has exhausted all legal channels of
addressing their grievance with a stubborn government, to who or
where should they turn? Perhaps the PM would like to do the rule of
law a great favour by educating us all on this sudden turn of
events.
SD TOPS IN HIV
AT SACU
By Njabulo Dlamini
03/04/2007
From The Swazi Observer
Swaziland’s HIV and AIDS prevalence is not only top in the
whole world but in countries falling under the Southern
African Customs Union (SACU).
According to statistics from SACU, Swaziland’s HIV and AIDS
prevalence rate stands at 33 percent as of 2005 ahead of such
countries as South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, etc.
These statistics were derived amongst the age group 15-49
years.
Business Coalition against HIV and AIDS (BCHA) Chairman
Ambrose Dlamini registered concern at the statistics noting
that it painted a gloomy future for the Kingdom.
He called for strengthening of efforts aimed at fighting
the HIV pandemic noting that not only business but the nation
was losing a lot in terms of human resources and skills.
Dlamini, also Nedbank Managing Director, was speaking
during the launching of the campaign; ‘Healthy worker healthy
business’ initiated by BCHA. The launch was held at Esibayeni
Lodge yesterday.
Officiating at the launch was Minister of Enterprise and
Employment Lutfo Dlamini.
FSE/CC CEO Zodwa Mabuza also raised concerns about the high
HIV prevalence for Swaziland noting that the age group
involved was an economically active segment of the population.
The BCHA Chairman called for committing of resources by
companies and business in fighting the pandemic since the cost
of ignorance was quite high and had negative effects as
opposed to empowering staff.
Speaking at the same function, BCHA Co-ordinator
Makhosazana Hlatshwayo said the benefits of having the
programme in place for any business were immense as the burden
of care and absenteeism could not be shouldered by any
business.
Hlatshwayo urged businesses to dedicate time, resources as
well as commit both management and workers in fighting HIV and
AIDS.
“In our workplace programmes, we emphasise that there
should be a focal person in any establishment. Both small and
big businesses should partake in this exercise by having
workplace committees and initiate prevention, care and support
as well as impact mitigation programmes. We commend businesses
for supporting external ventures and engaging in social
resources but we are appealing for them to invest internally
since charity begins at home,” the BCHA Co-ordinator stated.
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