Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698085526545.pdf (Swaziland)
REMARKS BY THE SENATE PRESIDENT ON THE LAUNCH OF A PARLIAMENT WEBSITE AND STRATEGIC PLAN 2022-2026, ESIBAYENI LODGE, ESANGWENI HALL- 9TH JUNE, 2022 Your Excellency Rt.

Hon.
Hon.

Prime Minister The Honorable Deputy Prime Minister Bantfwabenkhosi, Bobabe Tikhulu Cabinet Ministers Honorable Speaker Honorable members of both Houses of Parliament Members of the Diplomatic Corps UNDP Resident Representative Regional Administrators Your Worship the Mayor of Matsapha Townboard Captains of Industries Parliamentary Service Board Clerk to Parliament and the Parliamentary Service 1 Senior Government Officials, Members of the Fourth Estate Ladies and Gentlemen 1.
Appreciation I am honored and privileged to be part of such a momentous occasion of the double launch of the Parliament Website and the Parliament of the Kingdom of Eswatini Strategic Plan for the period 2022-2026.

The Strategic Plan sets a pathway for an effective Legislature and Parliamentary Service.

It will be complimented by the website which will enable parliament to interact with the public and promote their participation in Parliamentary work.

2.
2.

His Majesty’s Vision The Strategic Plan and Website are indeed an interpretation of “reviving the first world aspirations” of the nation as eloquently alluded to by His Majesty in his Speech from the Throne earlier this year.

It is our utmost belief that, Parliament and the Executive will work together 2 to implement the Strategic Plan with a common purpose of creating the desired sustainable development in our country.

3.
3.

Looking at The Environment I am alive to the challenges we face as a country and the region, that of a skewed demography thus having a high youth population which has exacerbated youth unemployment.

This presents an increasing challenge of youth discontent, making it imperative to have service delivery as a priority so that Sustainable Development Goals and principles are enabled.
Just when we thought we are almost out of the woods with the COVID-19 Pandemic with all its plethora of challenges which are global, and rebuilding our economies, we are now confronted with yet another crisis, the Conflict in Ukraine which is having an adverse global effect to all the economies of the world, further reversing any economic gains, as we experience high energy costs in the form of fuel and gas prices, high food prices, and as a continent we are experiencing internal conflicts.
Your Excellency, the manner in which government ably handled Covid-19 gives me confidence that even in this catastrophe Cabinet will explore responsive ways and means to cushion our people from yet another crisis.

As I was reflecting on the current challenges, I observed the difference from one generation to another.

We grew up taking instructions from our parents, we did not question much from what were told but our children, are a different ‘breed’ altogether, they question everything.
It is apparent that we need to create a conducive space for them to articulate themselves in a constructive and peaceful manner.

We need to listen to their issues and views with an objective 3 to find sustainable solutions together.

If we do not create this space through our existing structures, our young people may be susceptible to outside influences, which do not always necessarily have the interest of our country at heart.
In life it is important to know you are being listened to, and that inclusiveness always bodes well for unity and any form of development .

We need to strengthen the family structure and equip our youths with skills and capacities to deal with conflict in a constructive manner.

This is probably why we are seeing so much gender based violence as a country.

4.The Strategic Plan The strategy provides insight on the strengths of the institution as well as solutions for mitigating challenges.
We, as Parliamentarians of the eleventh Parliament, are privileged to be the ones to benefit from the outcome of in-depth consultation locally and internationally.

It is also pleasing that we have championed and produced a roadmap that will usher-in the 12th Parliament.

The life of the Strategy we are launching today will extend to the next parliamentary term.

5.
5.

Vision, Mission and Values 4 The Vision, Mission and Values reaffirm the role played by the two Houses of Parliament - Senate and The House of Assembly, in the achievement of the broad development agenda of the country.

This will be realised through five thought-out and inclusive Strategic Pillars.

They speak to Administration, ICTs, Capacity and Resources, Service Delivery and Legal Framework.
The Website, which we are also launching today, will be a very important tool in the implementation of the Strategy.

It has been a long way coming and we are delighted that we will now be at the same level with our peers in other Jurisdictions.

The Website is a very important way of creating visibility and accessibility of Parliament to local, regional and international communities.
This is indeed a very significant milestone and it falls squarely within our continued commitment to the attaining first world status, albeit it, with different timelines.

4.

Implementation (Parliamentary Service Board) The Parliamentary Service Board will endeavour to support and motivate the Staff of the Parliamentary Service so as to enhance service delivery.
The commitment seen in the formulation and development of this Strategy is reason for the confidence we have that the execution will equally be a success.

The Strategy will be reviewed periodically to cater for emerging national and global trends.

I am already looking forward to the first annual review wherein Parliament will reflect on key indicators to gauge progress made on execution and 5 efficiency.
The effectiveness will surely overarch even the embedment and maintenance of the traditional and cultural norms of this great Kingdom to maintain our identity as a nation.

5.

Strategic Partners Special recognition is extended to our partner, UNDP.

They have been a consistent pillar of support to Parliament in so many ways.

The support that Parliament has received and continues to receive from UNDP has been very motivating.
We embarked on this exercise when COVID- 19 was on the rise but consultations were made possible through technical and technological equipment that we received from UNDP.

Ours is just to commit to fostering our friendship and solidify our joint effort towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, nationally and globally.
To all our other partners who have played an equally treasured role in this journey, we want to appreciate each one of you and wish for continued collaboration even in other matters of mutual interest.

6.

Parliamentary Service 6 Recognition is also due to the Parliamentary Service who have demonstrated passion to see positive transformation of the institution.

Working together with Consultants from the University of Eswatini, they have worked tirelessly to achieve this goal.
We applaud even the wisdom to use local Consultants for this Strategic Plan.

7.

Conclusion As I conclude, it is important for me to say that the success of implementing this Strategy requires a mind-set change, change of attitudes and adapting to a culture of excellence.

We established good partnerships during the formulation process, let us continue holding one another to rebuild this nation.

Your Excellency, the Rt.


Hon Prime Minister, Parliament, the Parliamentary Service Board and the Parliamentary Service have completed this phase and look forward to your support, going forward.

Allow me now to take this moment and invite you, Your Excellency, to come forward and deliver your address.

Thank you!

7 8