STATEMENT BY THE RIGHT HON. PRIME MINISTER
DR B.S.S. DLAMINI
AT THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR MDUDUZI “SMALL JOE” DLAMINI, HON MINISTER FOR TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
AT THE CABINET OFFICES
TUESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2012
Honourable Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs
Honourable Ministers
Attorney-General
Secretary to Cabinet and Senior Civil Servants
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is a privilege for me today to express my congratulations to the new Minister for the trust that was placed in him by his constituents at Maseyisini iNkhundla when he was elected as Member of Parliament, and the trust that has now been placed in him by His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Mother.
It is equally a reminder to the electorate that their chosen individual is not only presented to Parliament but also to the King and Nation, for their use.
Honourable Minister, your appointment is indeed a substantial responsibility. You will be heading a Ministry that is expected to play a very important part in the development of a tourism industry that will contribute substantially to faster economic growth and the creation of many new sustainable livelihoods. Tourism, globally, is the industry credited with being the largest producer of jobs of any economic sector.
In this year’s Speech from the Throne, His Majesty very clearly pointed out the enormous potential that tourism presents for growth. Your Ministry has an oversight responsibility for our main tourism promotion agency, the Swaziland Tourism Authority, which will be expected to implement a national strategy that will stimulate a dramatic growth in foreign and local direct investment in tourism facilities as well as using all means available in promoting Swaziland to potential tourists.
Your Ministry’s responsibilities are, of course, broader than that, including the Swaziland Environment Authority, which encompasses protection of the environment from deforestation and other forms of degradation. Your Ministry also takes the lead in climate change management, aiming to promote a knowledgeable and collaborative approach across the Nation, ensuring Swaziland makes a worthy contribution towards global climate issues. Indeed, Swaziland will lead Africa in climate change talks in 2012.
Honourable Minister, you should do everything in your power, as a trusted Minister of this Administration, to boost the effectiveness of your Ministry. That will attract praise for Their Majesties. If at any time you fail in your mission, then look no further for blame than yourself, and then devote your energies to finding the appropriate solution.
Indeed, this principle applies to all servants of the King and Nation. We carry out our duties not as individuals, seeking glory and public recognition, but with humility as officials with responsibilities from which we derive honour and an unceasing commitment to those who have appointed us.
And we are officials within established institutions and mechanisms, all of which are designed to deal in a systematic manner with the challenges that might present themselves nationwide. Thus, where a disaster occurs – from flood to fire to famine – such matters are expected to be reported to a Chief of the area or authorized representative, who will then report to the agency given the delegated authority by the Head of State. Praise and glory for the resolution of such problems must always then go to the King iNgwenyama and Indlovukazi. That is our culture and we should not forget it.
It is my honour now to wish you, Honourable Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs, a highly effective tenure of office and extend to you a very warm welcome to the Cabinet of this Administration.
Thank you.