YOUR MAJESTY THE INDLOVUKAZI
YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESSES
PRIME MINISTER
CHIEFS
YOUR LORDSHIP THE CHIEF JUSTICE
EXCELLENCIES, MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS
MINISTERS
PRESIDENT, SPEAKER, AND MEMBERS OF BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

LET ME WELCOME YOU ALL TO THE STATE OPENING OF THE FIFTH SESSION OF THE NATIONíS SIXTH PARLIAMENT.
GOOD RAINS HAVE FALLEN ONCE AGAIN THROUGHOUT THE KINGDOM, DESPITE CONCERNS AT THE START OF THE PLANTING SEASON. IT SEEMS THAT, FOR THIS YEAR AT LEAST, OUR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN MORE EFFECTIVE SO FAR THAN THE DREADED ìEL NI Oî
OTHERS IN AFRICA HAVE NOT BEEN SO FORTUNATE. MUCH OF MOZAMBIQUE AND EAST AFRICA HAVE SUFFERED BADLY FROM THE EFFECTS OF EL NI O, AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE THE WARNINGS LIGHTLY. GODíS BLESSINGS HAVE BEEN WITH SWAZILAND THIS SEASON BUT WE MUST CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO THE ADVICE OF OUR EXPERTS.
AND AS THE RAINS FELL, INCWALA TOOK PLACE SUCCESSFULLY WITH GOOD PARTICIPATION FROM LARGE NUMBERS OF REGIMENTS, AS THE NATION GAVE THANKS TO GOD AND ASKED FOR HIS RENEWED BLESSINGS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD.
WE NOW LOOK FORWARD TO THE START OF PARLIAMENTARY WORK, WITH MANY PROGRAMMES AND LEGISLATIVE DUTIES AHEAD FOR YOU, THE COUNTRYíS REPRESENTATIVES.

A LOOK BACK AT THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS REVEALS MANY LESSONS FOR US HERE IN ESWATINI. ABOVE ALL, WE HAVE LEARNT AT FIRST HAND OF THE INTER-DEPENDENCE OF ALL NATIONS, AND THE TRUTH THAT NO COUNTRY CAN EXIST IN ISOLATION FROM OTHERS.
 
 

CRISIS POINT HAS BEEN REACHED ONCE AGAIN IN THE GULF REGION, WITH APPALLING IMPLICATIONS FOR THOSE LIVING THERE AND THE REAL POSSIBILITY OF ESCALATION INTO A  MAJOR CONFLICT. THE GLOBAL ECONOMY STANDS TO SUFFER GREATLY AND WE CAN EXPECT TO FEEL THE EFFECTS HERE OF A MAJOR LOSS OF CONFIDENCE IN WORLD MARKETS AS A RESULT.
WE WELCOME THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND, FOR THE SAKE OF GLOBAL PEACE AND ECONOMIC STABILITY, WE PRAY THAT A SOLUTION MAY BE FOUND THAT RESPECTS THE  TERMS OF THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE UNITED NATIONS, AND WHICH AVOIDS ANY DANGER OF CONFRONTATION.

HERE ON OUR OWN CONTINENT, IT HAS BEEN A YEAR WHICH HAS SEEN THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF A NUMBER OF LONG RUNNING CONFLICTS AND , SADLY, THE CONTINUATION AND START OF OTHERS.

WE WATCHED WITH GREAT RELIEF THE PEACEFUL ELECTIONS IN LIBERIA, WHICH ENDED A LONG PERIOD OF GREAT SUFFERING FOR THE PEOPLE OF THAT COUNTRY. THE LIBERIAN PEOPLE HAVE OUR ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT IN THE YEARS OF NATION-BUILDING AHEAD.
OUR SADC PARTNER ANGOLA SEEMS AT LONG LAST TO HAVE FOUND TRUE COMMITMENT TO RECONCILIATION BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES AFTER MANY YEARS OF BITTER STRUGGLE. WE TRUST THAT THE DIVISION OF THE PAST MAY BE BURIED IN THE INTEREST OF NATIONAL AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
AND IN THE WESTERN SAHARA THERE APPEARS TO BE GROUNDS FOR OPTIMISM IN THE LONG RUNNING DISPUTE, WITH THE WELCOME INVOLVEMENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF US ALL IN AFRICA.

PROBLEMS

BUT THESE SUCCESSES MUST BE PLACED ALONGSIDE CONTINUING AND NEWLY EMERGING PROBLEMS SUCH AS THOSE IN SIERRA LEONE, ALGERIA, THE GREAT LAKES REGION, AND IN THE HORN OF AFRICA.

THERE SEEM TO BE TWO MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THESE CRISES. THERE ARE THOSE WHICH RESULT FROM PURELY INTERNAL CONFLICT, PERHAPS THROUGH IDEOLOGICAL OR RELIGIOUS DIVISION; AND THOSE IN WHICH NEIGHBOURS HAVE DISPUTES WHICH CANNOT BE RESOLVED THROUGH NEGOTIATION.
WHILE WE SYMPATHISE DEEPLY WITH THOSE CAUGHT UP IN THE TRAUMA OF WAR AND CONFLICT, WE WOULD DO WELL TO UNDERSTAND THE LESSONS AND LEARN FROM THEM.
DIFFERENCES OF OPINION WITHIN A FAMILY ARE INEVITABLE AND UNDERSTOOD. THE REAL PROBLEMS OCCUR WHEN THOSE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION ESCALATE INTO INTERNAL CONFLICT AND HARD LINE DIVISION.
LET US DO ALL WE CAN TO AVOID THE TRAGEDIES OF OTHERS LESS FORTUNATE THAN OURSELVES, THROUGH THE USE OF HONEST AND OPEN DIALOGUE, AND BY RESPECTING THE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION THAT ARE OPEN TO ALL SWAZIS.
WE ARE FORTUNATE IN OUR RELATIONS WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS. THE KINGDOM HAS ALWAYS BELIEVED IN THE PRINCIPLE OF THE NON-INVOLVEMENT IN THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF OTHERS, AND THE USE OF DIALOGUE AS THE ONLY MEANS OF THE SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES. WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT THIS PRINCIPLE IS SHARED BY OUR NEIGHBOURS AND PARTNERS IN THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN REGION.

THE PAST YEAR  HAS SEEN MIXED FORTUNES HERE AT HOME. 1997 ENDED AS IT BEGAN, WITH MASS STRIKE ACTION RESULTING IN DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES FOR THE ECONOMY AND SEVERE DISRUPTION TO THE ACADEMIC YEAR.
IT SEEMS THAT WE ARE ONLY LEARNING OF THE HOPELESSNESS OF STRIKES IN A SLOW AND PAINFUL WAY. WORKERS ARE PERHAPS NOW REALISING THAT THEIR HONEST CAUSES CAN BE HIJACKED FOR POLITICAL AMBITION, AND THAT THEY STAND TO LOSE NOT JUST THEIR WAGES, BUT IN SOME CASES, EVEN THEIR JOBS.  I REPEAT MY CALL IN THE PAST TO ASSOCIATIONS, FOR HONESTY IN ACTION AND DIALOGUE, SO THAT THOSE INVOLVED, AND THE KINGDOM AS A WHOLE, ARE NOT LED DOWN THE ROAD TO ECONOMIC RUIN.

THERE SHOULD BE CAREFUL THOUGHT OF THE CONSEQUENCES TO THE WHOLE NATION BEFORE DECLARING STRIKE ACTION.  WE CAN SEE ALL TOO CLEARLY THAT PAST MISTAKES HAVE SCARED AWAY INVESTORS AND DISCOURAGED NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

THE NEWLY REVISED INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT WILL BE COMING BEFORE PARLIAMENT SOON. WE HAVE GREAT EXPECTATIONS THAT THE CONSENSUS THAT HAS BEEN REACHED SO FAR BETWEEN GOVERNMENT, EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS WILL SIGNAL A NEW ERA OF INDUSTRIAL HARMONY AND AN END TO THE CONTINUAL ROUND OF STRIKE ACTION.
YOU THE PEOPLESí REPRESENTATIVES IN BOTH CHAMBERS HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THIS REGARD WHEN YOU STUDY AND DEBATE THE NEW ACT. WE EXPECT YOU TO CONSULT EXTENSIVELY WITH YOUR CONSTITUENCIES ON THIS ISSUE TO ENSURE THAT THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE WHOLE NATION ARE SERVED.

THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

PERHAPS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT IN THE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN THE COMPLETION OF THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY. THE NDS PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK FOR THE NATIONíS DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES OVER THE NEXT TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AND HAS BEEN EAGERLY AWAITED BY THE WHOLE NATION.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE COMPLETED DOCUMENT IS THE DIRECT DESCENDANT OF THE REPORT OF THE ECONOMIC REVIEW COMMISSION AND INCLUDES THE VAST MAJORITY OF RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THAT LANDMARK NATIONAL EXERCISE.
IT IS ALSO THE PRODUCT OF EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION AMONGST ALL THE COUNTRYíS STAKEHOLDERS, AS WELL AS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, WHOSE SUPPORT HAS BEEN WELCOME AND VALUED THROUGHOUT THE EXERCISE.
IN OTHER WORDS, THE NDS BELONGS TO THE WHOLE SWAZI NATION, WITH CONSENSUS ACHIEVED ON ALL THE MANY ISSUES THAT WERE COVERED.
WE OFFER OUR PRAISE AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THIS VITALLY IMPORTANT UNDERTAKING. THEY DESERVE OUR GRATITUDE FOR A JOB WELL DONE.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE LAUNCH OF THE NDS IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.

IN THE SHORT TERM, GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN FOLLOWING MEASURES CONTAINED IN THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL REFORM AGENDA WHICH HAS NOW BEEN RUNNING FOR ONE YEAR.
AS I SAID LAST YEAR, ESRA IS WELCOME AS A PROGRAMME OF ACTIONS LINKED TO A SPECIFIC TIMETABLE BY WHICH GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY CAN BE JUDGED. THE QUARTERLY REPORTS HAVE PROVIDED THE NATION WITH AN UPDATE ON PROGRESS OR FAILURE IN MEETING TARGETS. IT HAS BEEN AN AMBITIOUS BUT COMMENDABLE APPROACH TO MEETING OUR SHORT TERM GOALS.
WE LOOK TO GOVERNMENT TO MAKE UP FOR ANY FAILURES IN PROGRESS OVER THE PAST YEAR BY INCREASING ITS MOMENTUM TO ACHIEVE BETTER RESULTS IN 1998. WE CALL FOR REAL COMMITMENT TO ACHIEVING THE TARGETS WITHIN THE TIMETABLE IT HAS SET ITSELF.

ESRA IS MOSTLY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE THE RIGHT CONDITIONS FOR AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE ECONOMY. SOME OF THE MEASURES CONTAINED IN IT WILL TAKE EFFECT ONLY IN THE MEDIUM TO LONG TERM, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NDS.
IN THE MEANTIME, THE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK CONTINUES TO BE DISHEARTENING WITH ANOTHER BUDGET DEFICIT TO BE ANNOUNCED BY THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE IN HIS ANNUAL BUDGET SPEECH. TAKEN TOGETHER WITH THE RE-NEGOTIATION OF THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN CUSTOMS UNION, WE CAN EXPECT THE CURRENT TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES TO CONTINUE FOR THE TIME BEING.
THE EFFECTS OF OUR WEAK ECONOMIC SITUATION ARE MADE MUCH WORSE BY A GROWTH RATE WHICH FALLS WAY SHORT OF OUR POPULATION GROWTH. THEY AFFECT EACH AND EVERY SWAZI, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREAS OF SOCIAL WELFARE, POVERTY AND THE LACK OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

WE HAVE ALSO BEEN HIT BADLY BY GLOBAL EVENTS SUCH AS THE FINANCIAL CRISIS IN ASIA, AND THE LOW .
THE MARKET CRASH IN ASIA HAS HAD DIRECT BEARING ON US THROUGH ITS EFFECT ON THE MARKET FOR OUR WOOD PULP INDUSTRY. WE ALL KNOW THAT OUR FORESTRY INDUSTRY RELIES ON A HEALTHY ASIAN ECONOMY, AND IT SEEMS THAT THE FUTURE OF MANY EMPLOYEES, NOT TO MENTION OF A VITALLY IMPORTANT SECTOR OF OUR ECONOMY, REMAINS IN DOUBT.
THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS WILL BE AN IMPORTANT PERIOD IN THE WOOD PULP INDUSTRY, AND WE CAN ONLY HOPE AND PRAY THAT THE ASIAN ECONOMY WILL STABILISE AND RECOVER ITS FORMER STRENGTH.
IN THE SAME WAY, THE LOW GOLD PRICE  HAS MEANT THE CLOSURE OF A NUMBER OF MINES IN SOUTH AFRICA, CREATING DOUBT FOR THE FUTURE OF MANY SWAZIS WHO ARE EMPLOYED THERE AND OF THEIR FAMILIES BACK HOME.

ONE IMMEDIATE CONCLUSION IS THAT WE MUST CONCENTRATE  OUR EFFORTS TO INCREASE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES HERE IN THE KINGDOM FROM OUR OWN RESOURCES, IN INDUSTRIES WHICH ARE CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF CRISES IN OTHER COUNTRIES. AND WE  MUST SUPPORT, ENCOURAGE AND TRAIN SWAZIS TO START BUSINESSES AND PROVIDE SELF EMPLOYMENT AND JOBS FOR OTHERS.
INITIATIVES SUCH AS THE ENTERPRISE FUND AND THE VARIOUS TRAINING PROGRAMMES ESTABLISHED BY GOVERNMENT, THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ARE THE RIGHT START.

BUT THERE MUST BE STRONGER COMMITMENT TO THESE INITIATIVES THROUGH GOVERNMENT FUNDING AND, HOPEFULLY, DONOR SUPPORT.
 
 

THERE ARE SOME ENCOURAGING SIGNS FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AREAS OF LARGE SCALE PROJECTS AND INCREASED PROSPECTS FOR INVESTMENT IN THE COUNTRY.
PROJECTS SUCH AS THE KOMATI RIVER DAM AND LOWER USUTHU BASIN WILL PROVIDE IMPORTANT ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL HOLDER DEVELOPMENT IN THE RURAL AREAS, ESPECIALLY IN SUGAR PRODUCTION.
THESE ARE EXACTLY THE TYPE OF PROJECT THAT NEED TO BE ENCOURAGED, BRINGING ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT DIRECTLY TO THE SWAZIS IN THE POOREST AREAS OF THE KINGDOM.
THE NEW INVESTMENT CODE HAS BEEN FINALISED, WITH MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT WHICH INCLUDE A LOWERING IN THE CORPORATE TAX RATE, AND INCREASED GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT INCENTIVES.
IN ADDITION, THE NEW INVESTMENT PROMOTION AUTHORITY IS TO BE LAUNCHED IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE, WHICH WILL ACT AS THE KINGDOMíS CONTACT WITH THE GLOBAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND IS CHARGED WITH ATTRACTING INVESTMENT ON A LARGE SCALE.
THESE ARE ALL SOLID ACHIEVEMENTS WHICH WILL HAVE A VERY POSITIVE EFFECT ON THE JOB MARKET FOR SWAZIS.

BUT DESPITE THE GROUNDS FOR INCREASED OPTIMISM, ALL TOO MANY SWAZIS STILL LACK THE BASIC NECESSITIES OF LIFE. THUS SOCIAL IMPROVEMENT, POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT REMAIN THE PRIORITIES FOR GOVERNMENT.
BOTH ESRA AND THE NDS ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS AND PROVIDE A BLUEPRINT FOR OUR ECONOMIC SURVIVAL. BUT BOTH DOCUMENTS RELY ON THE NATIONíS UNDERSTANDING OF SOME HARSH ECONOMIC REALITIES, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE AND COST EFFECTIVENESS.
NECESSARY GOVERNMENT COST-CUTTING AND RE-STRUCTURING PROGRAMMES ARE PROGRESSING, DESPITE THE OBSTACLES AND THE SLOW PACE, IN AN ATTEMPT TO RELEASE FUNDS FOR SOCIAL IMPROVEMENT AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION.
IT IS CLEAR THAT RENEWED COMMITMENT TO THESE PROGRAMMES IS VITAL IF THEY ARE TO SUCCEED, AND WE NEED TO SEE SPECIFIC DEADLINES FOR THEIR CONCLUSION.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THE PROGRAMMES MUST BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED, WITH DUE REGARD FOR RE-TRAINING, AND, WHERE POSSIBLE, FOR RE-EMPLOYMENT, SO THAT WE DO NOT SIMPLY CREATE YET MORE SOCIAL DIFFICULTIES.
 
 

POVERTY ALLEVIATION ITSELF IS A CONCEPT THAT COVERS A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES BUT FOCUSES OUR ATTENTION MOST ON THE PROVISION OF THE BASIC HUMAN REQUIREMENTS TO ALL OUR PEOPLE.
ACCESS TO HEALTH FACILITIES, CLEAN WATER, SECURITY, HOME OWNERSHIP, EMPLOYMENT, A GOOD STANDARD OF EDUCATION WHICH IS FOCUSED ON NATIONAL NEEDS: THESE ARE THE ELEMENTS OF DAILY LIFE WHICH SHOULD BE EXPECTED AS A RIGHT BY ALL SWAZIS.
ONE FOCUS OF OUR POVERTY ALLEVIATION EFFORTS IS THE RURAL RESETTLEMENT SCHEME, WHICH AIMS TO DELIVER THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO THE RURAL POPULATION.
WE ARE REASSURED TO LEARN THAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE TOWARDS THE DRAFTING OF A NATIONAL RESETTLEMENT POLICY. IN THE MEANTIME, THOUGH, WE SHOULD NOT DELAY ANY FURTHER AND WE WILL NOW BEGIN WITH PILOT SCHEMES IN EACH OF THE KINGDOMíS REGIONS SO THAT DIFFICULTIES AND OBSTACLES CAN BE IDENTIFIED EARLY AND OVERCOME.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT ASPECT OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS THE REVIEW OF THE KINGDOMíS LAND POLICY. CONFUSION AND DISPUTES FREQUENTLY ARISE FROM THE LACK OF A CLEAR AND BALANCED  POLICY REGARDING LAND TENURE AND OWNERSHIP.
THIS ISSUE WAS RAISED EARLY ON IN MY REIGN, AND AGAIN BY THE WHOLE NATION IN  THE ECONOMIC REVIEW.
IT IS A VITAL ASPECT OF NATIONAL LIFE WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR ALL SWAZIS. THE ENTIRE NATION WILL BE INVOLVED IN THE DEBATE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONSULTATIONS ON THE ISSUE IN DUE COURSE.

I WANT TO TURN MY ATTENTION NOW TO THE ISSUE OF LAW AND ORDER.
IT IS DEPRESSING TO WITNESS THE INCREASING DISREGARD FOR LAW AND ORDER THROUGHOUT THE KINGDOM. VIOLENT CRIME  FIGURES CONTINUE TO RISE AND IN RECENT YEARS, DRUG TRAFFICKING, WITH ALL THE EVIL CONSEQUENCES OF DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION, APPEARS TO HAVE ENTERED NATIONAL LIFE IN A MAJOR WAY.
THERE IS A GENERAL LACK OF CONFIDENCE FROM THE ENTIRE NATION IN THE ABILITY OF OUR LAW AND ORDER AGENCIES TO COPE WITH CRIME.
TWO IMMEDIATE STEPS WE NEED TO TAKE ARE, TO EQUIP OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WITH GREATER RESOURCES AND IMPROVED TRAINING; AND TO FIND WAYS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM.
WE ALSO NEED URGENTLY TO RE-CONSIDER THE PENALTIES FOR COMMITTING CRIMINAL ACTS, SO THAT SENTENCES WILL ACT AS A REAL DETERRENT. AT PRESENT IT IS CLEARLY ALL TOO EASY TO COMMIT CRIME AND TO GET AWAY WITH IT, OR TO SHRUG OFF THE FINES AND JAIL SENTENCES AS INSIGNIFICANT.

WE HAVE DELAYED ADDRESSING THIS BURNING ISSUE FOR TOO LONG. CRIME IN THE KINGDOM HAS ALREADY REACHED EXCESSIVE LEVELS AND IS AFFECTING DAILY LIFE FOR ALL WHO LIVE HERE. IT BADLY INFLUENCES OUR ABILITY TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT AND UNDERMINES ALL OUR DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS.

LET US MAKE THIS A PRIORITY IN THIS PARLIAMENTARY SESSION TO TAKE THE NECESSARY MEASURES TO HALT THE CURRENT SLIDE INTO LAWLESSNESS AND TO RESTORE OUR CONFIDENCE IN THE JUDICIARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

ONE ENCOURAGING MEASURE IN OUR EFFORTS TO ENFORCE LAW AND ORDER, IS  THE RECENT ESTABLISHMENT  OF THE ANTI-CORRUPTION UNIT.
THIS SENDS THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE MESSAGE TO CRIMINALS AND THE CORRUPT, OF THE KINGDOMíS INTENTION TO VIGOROUSLY TARGET THOSE INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE UNDERMINING OUR DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO HAVE PROFITED FROM ILLEGAL ACTS IN THE PAST.
WE WILL LOOK TO THE UNIT TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW AND WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR. IT WILL NEED TO GAIN THE IMMEDIATE CONFIDENCE AND TRUST OF THE WHOLE NATION THROUGH PROFESSIONAL INVESTIGATION AND EFFICIENT PROSECUTION.
THE OPERATIONS OF THE UNIT WILL BE A TEST OF OUR RESOLVE TO FIGHT THE DISEASE OF CORRUPTION. WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE START OF ITS OPERATIONS AND THE CO-OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC IN ITS DUTIES.

I MENTIONED JUST NOW THE ALARMING INCREASE IN DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE WITHIN THE KINGDOM.
THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN AMONGST THE NATIONíS YOUTH, WHO ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE TO THE TEMPTATION OF ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCES. SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES HAVE A MAJOR ROLE TO PLAY IN WATCHING CAREFULLY FOR SIGNS OF ABUSE AND ADDICTION  AMONGST THEIR STUDENTS AND CHILDREN; AND IN DISCOURAGING THEM FROM JOINING THE GROWING LIST OF SWAZIS WHO HAVE LOST ALL HOPE OF RECOVERY FROM THE EFFECTS.
WE HAVE TO COME TO TERMS WITH THE FACT THAT SWAZILAND HAS NOW JOINED OTHERS IN THE REGION AS A MAJOR LOCATION FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE. WE NEED TO ADDRESS THIS EVIL PRACTISE THROUGH NATIONAL EFFORT AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS.
 

DRUG ABUSE IS AS MUCH A HEALTH PROBLEM AS ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ILLNESSES SUCH AS AIDS AND MALARIA. THEY NOT ONLY ROB THEIR VICTIMS OF HEALTH AND LIFE,  BUT THEY ALSO DEPRIVE THE NATION OF VALUABLE HUMAN RESOURCES.
THERE HAS BEEN A GROWING AWARENESS OVER RECENT YEARS OF THE DANGERS OF AIDS AND I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE NATION TO CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE REALITY OF THE PROBLEM.
THE PREDICTIONS ABOUT THE EFFECT OF AIDS ON THE KINGDOM ARE  ALL TOO CLEARLY BEING REALISED TODAY. INCREASING NUMBERS OF SWAZIS ARE BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM US IN THE PRIME OF LIFE, AND TRAGICALLY, EVEN AT THE START.
WE KNOW THE PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE. WE KNOW THAT THERE IS AS YET NO CURE. WE ALL HAVE THE OPTION OF LIVING A HEALTHY LIFE , OR DISREGARDING MEDICAL ADVICE AND DYING BEFORE OUR TIME.
I CALL ON THE WHOLE NATION TO RE-INTENSIFY EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE SAFE PRACTISES SO THAT TOGETHER WE CAN FIGHT AGAINST THIS DEADLY DISEASE.

THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES WITH ITS PROGRAMME OF INCREASING THE NUMBER OF HEALTH FACILITIES, ESPECIALLY IN THE RURAL AREAS.
ONE WORRYING ASPECT OF EFFICIENT HEALTH DELIVERY IS THE LACK IN THE KINGDOM OF SPECIALISED EQUIPMENT FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF SERIOUS AND UNCOMMON ILLNESSES.
GOVERNMENT MUST NOW LOOK FOR FUNDS TO UPGRADE THE GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL IN MBABANE TO FULL ìREFERRALî STATUS, SO THAT SWAZIS DO NOT HAVE TO TRAVEL TO NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT.

THE NATION WILL KNOW THAT ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD AT THE END OF THE YEAR, BEFORE THE START OF INCWALA. THEY WILL BE CONDUCTED UNDER THE EXISTING LAW WHICH ALLOWS ALL SWAZIS THE FREEDOM  TO CHOOSE THOSE WHOM THEY WISH TO REPRESENT THEM IN THESE CHAMBERS.
THE WORK OF THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT IS IMPORTANT NATIONAL SERVICE AND IS CENTRAL TO LEGISLATIVE EFFICIENCY AND TO THE PRINCIPLE OF ACCOUNTABILITY OF GOVERNMENT. COMMUNITIES SHOULD BY NOW UNDERSTAND THE QUALITIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED OF THOSE WHO WILL REPRESENT THEM, AND SHOULD CHOOSE THEIR CANDIDATES WISELY.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO A SMOOTH AND PEACEFUL PROCESS, FREE FROM UNLAWFUL AND INHUMANE PRACTISES.

AS WELL AS THE ELECTORAL PROCESS, THE CURRENT CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW ALSO PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR DEBATE AND DISCUSSION ON RELEVANT POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES.
THE TINKHUNDLA CENTRES PROVIDE THE LOCATION FOR SUCH DEBATE, AND WE ENCOURAGE ALL TO MAKE USE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE THEIR  FELLOW SWAZIS IN MATTERS OF IMPORTANCE TO THE NATION.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW COMMISSION ITSELF HAS REACHED A CRITICAL STAGE IN THE REVIEW PROCESS WITH THE CIVIC EDUCATION EXERCISE ABOUT TO COMMENCE.
THIS IS WITHOUT DOUBT THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THE WHOLE PROCESS, TO GIVE ALL SWAZIS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE WIDE RANGE OF CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE THE MEANS FOR INFORMED DISCUSSION AND DEBATE ON ALL ISSUES RELATED TO THE CONSTITUTION, SO THAT SUBMISSIONS WILL BE RELEVANT AND USEFUL.
WE EXPECT THE EDUCATION EXERCISE TO ADVANCE IN AN EFFICIENT AND SPEEDY MANNER SO THAT THE WHOLE REVIEW MAY BE COMPLETED IN GOOD TIME, ACCORDING TO THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE WHOLE NATION.

GRATITUDE TO INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

I WANT TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE GRATITUDE, ON BEHALF OF HER MAJESTY THE INDLOVUKAZI AND THE WHOLE NATION, TO OUR FRIENDS AND PARTNERS IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE KINGDOMíS DEVELOPMENT.
WE WELCOME YOUR COMMITMENT AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO OUR PRIORITY OBJECTIVES AND YOUR INTEREST IN THE WELFARE OF THE SWAZI PEOPLE. OUR WISH IS TO DEVELOP FURTHER THE PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE WITH ALL OUR INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO ACHIEVING TOGETHER THE GOALS WE HAVE SET FOR OURSELVES.

THERE IS MUCH TO BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE COMING MONTHS, WITH VITALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED AND CHALLENGES TO BE MET.
I CALL ON THE WHOLE SWAZI NATION TO REMAIN UNITED IN OUR COMMITMENT TO OVERCOME THE DIFFICULTIES WE FACE, WITH HONESTY AND OPENNESS IN OUR DEALINGS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
AND MAY ALMIGHTY GOD CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER US AS WE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO CREATE THE RIGHT CONDITIONS TO ALLOW ALL SWAZIS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE IN PEACE AND PROSPERITY.

IT NOW GIVES ME THE GREATEST PLEASURE TO DECLARE THE FIFTH SESSION OF THE NATIONíS SIXTH PARLIAMENT OFFICIALLY OPEN.
 
 

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