Dr. Jabulane Matsebula: On Good Governance and Swaziland

Blossom of Thought

Dr. Jabulani Matsebula returns to the show to converse with me about Good Governance relative to Swaziland. Dr. Matsebula has a Ph.D. in political sociology. He has held various positions in academia and government in Australia, including international multilateral engagement in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC), G20, and OECD. He is also a founding member of PUDEMO one of the largest liberation political formations in Swaziland.

We begin the discussion on the broader and complex concept of democracy and how it should be understood in the Kingdom of Swaziland. After this highlight, we zeroed things down to the main subject of this episode – good governance – the cornerstone of democracy. On this subject, Dr. Matsebula expounds on the enablers of good governance in general. This set the tone for Dr. Matsebula to respond to the critical question: Is democracy possible under a constitutional monarchy system dominated by the Dlamini royal family dynasty? Our guest makes it clear that the institution of the Swazi monarchy is irrelevant in Swazi politics. Hence Swaziland has a debt of R 26.9 billion. If the monarchy is maintained post-liberation, it is likely that it will pollute the new political landscape, says Dr. Matsebula. The government of the monarch rates terribly against the principles of good governance, and this bad governance is founded on king Sobhuza II’s 1973 proclamation (royal coup). We also give an analysis of the African culture – Ubuntu –as having the wherewithal to found good governance. Hence good governance is based on universal principles, not a European concept. By way of concluding this episode, Dr. Matsebula gives an outline of key factors that would underpin post-liberation democracy namely:

• Annual GDP growth of 6 percent or above. Infrastructure development and job creation as a high priority.
• Reduced unemployment rate to a single digit and set a trend toward full employment
• Improved healthcare service – investment in new healthcare infrastructure as a priority.
• Significant progress on transitioning the economy to digital production and services through improved access to high speed internet.
• Improved fiscal management through smart and targeted public investment
• Transformation of the public sector into an ethical professional body committed to serving the government of the day and the public.
• Improved quality of education and access.
• Efficiency and honesty in government supported by a system of checks and balances, accountability, and transparency.
• A functioning multi-party democracy evidenced by the separation of powers, collaboration between the three arms of government and active multi-party participation.
• Reduced poverty and increased access to opportunities for all. No one left behind or held back in the true spirit of Ubuntu and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. therefore I am.’

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