EZULWINI – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini says the current parliamentary proceedings do not meet the standard of legislative debate.
The PM criticised the parliamentary proceedings, saying what is called debate in Parliament is not actually what is expected of legislators.
He said, instead, legislators shout and make personal attacks that do not constitute genuine legislative debate.
The PM made these allegations during the Kingdom Leadership and National Transformation meeting at the Happy Valley Hotel yesterday.
The meeting was hosted by Campus Crusade for Christ Eswatini.
During the engagement, the PM expressed strong disapproval of the current conduct within Parliament.
He noted that lawmakers often mistake noise and hostility for constructive dialogue.
“Even what we call debate in Parliament is not a debate. We just rise, shout, make noise, insult, attack personalities and we call that a debate. It’s not a debate,” he said.
He said true parliamentary engagements should focus on discussing constructive ideas aimed at national development and nation-building.
Dlamini cautioned that the current environment lacks the necessary maturity and civility required to serve the country effectively.
“What we need is civilisation,” he added, calling on parliamentarians to understand their core purpose and prioritise the nation’s greater good over self-serving interests.
Meanwhile, during his main address Dlamini issued a stern call to action, demanding lawful disruption of inefficient systems to drive national economic transformation.
He stated that while no policy framework is beyond improvement, current governance structures provide a solid base for progress, requiring principles to be translated from mere aspirations into disciplined action.
Emphasising a crucial crossroads for Eswatini, Dlamini warned that the nation faces a choice between continuing to manage present limitations or summoning the courage, imagination and discipline required to build a greater country.
Dlamini anchored Eswatini’s transformation upon cultural respect, institutional integrity, patriotism and faith in God, while calling on the church to actively shape citizens of truth and compassion alongside government effort.
Dlamini on the broader economic pivot, he urged a decisive move from dependency to productivity, consumption to production, importation to manufacturing, raw material exports to value creation and stagnation to progress.
The prime minister expressed confidence that the engagement would challenge assumptions, broaden national thinking and strengthen Eswatini’s resolve to own its prosperous future under divine providence.
During the meeting, the keynote address was delivered by Senior Vice President of Campus Crusade International Professor Delanyo Adadevoh.
