President Jacob Zuma is to take over from Swaziland king, Mswati as SADC Chairperson at this week’s 37th SADC Summit of Heads of State in Pretoria.
King Mswati has hailed SADC members of states for providing necessary support during his 12 months tenure.
The King says there is progress made in promoting economic growth, peace and stability in the region.
King Mswati gave the SABC an exclusive interview at the Lozitha Royal Palace, east of the Swaziland capital Mbabane.
He says he enjoyed the necessary support he received from the member Heads of State.
“With all the leaders and governments, and the people of all the different countries, we have experienced good relationships and we have always tried to maintain that kind of style.”
King Mswati pointed out the progress made in implementing projects aimed at promoting trade and economic growth amongst other
things, among them, the establishment of a SADC University of Transformation.
The University is expected to give new hope and opportunity for young people, focusing more on technical-vocational education.
“The SADC organisation has helped us to lay a foundation which the Kingdom now has started to run, ensuring that the university is of course set out. We are still looking at strategies and all that in terms of mobilising resources. There have been a lot people who were showing interest – especially some studied here in the Kingdom – who today are exposed to different kinds of organisations that they would like to contribute.”
The King also reflected on the challenges facing SADC countries, such as malaria and HIV/Aids, unemployment, water shortage and food insecurity.
He says instability is a contributing factor to the problems facing the region.
“Changes of elimination of malaria are not very far. Science in the region is fighting very hard… even issues of HIV/Aids – we are glad as the kingdom that we have been awarded to fight against HIV aids by the Global fund – they gave us as an award for the reduction of infections.”
There was widespread condemnation of the King taking over the position of Chair from President Ian Khama of Botswana.
Pro-democracy groups argued that the King’s administration continuously violates rights of citizens, by preventing freedom of speech and association, but King Mswati says that his kingdom is governed through the will of the people of Swaziland.
“When we created the constitution, this constitution which went around the people of this country, every Swazi participated… was invited to come make a submission in terms of how you want to see your constitution of this country, even when the constitution was drafted before it was actually adopted. It also was to give back to the nation, to read, and everyone was able to be given a chance to make submissions and to comment… this was a process that took some years, so we finally have a product of after nine years of consultation.”
King Mswati will be handing over to the chairmanship to President Jacob Zuma in Pretoria.
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– By Motsebi wa Monareng
