SWAZI KING APPOINTS NEW CABINET THAT SUGGESTS CHANGE, BUT DIRECTION LOOKS MIXED

UNCLAS MBABANE 000353


DEPT FOR AF/S (MHARRIS)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV, ELAB, KDEM, PREL, WZ
SUBJECT: SWAZI KING APPOINTS NEW CABINET THAT SUGGESTS CHANGE, BUT
DIRECTION LOOKS MIXED

1. SUMMARY: New Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini
(reported septel) called a five-minute press conference on Friday,
October 24, to announce the King's appointments to the 18-member
cabinet. Fourteen of the eighteen ministers, and Deputy Prime
Minister, were not in the last cabinet, and most are relatively new
to government. Nine of the 18 come from elected members of
parliament. Finance Minister Majoze Sithole was returned to his
former position. Three other ministerial appointees from the last
government have been placed in new positions, including the former
Minister of Enterprise and Employment, Lutfo Dlamini, who is the new
Foreign Minister. A pivotal position, Minister of Justice, will be
held by Ndumiso Mamba, a close friend of the King and currently CEO
of the royal-controlled investment company Tibiyo Taka Ngwane, major
stakeholder in most of the country's economic enterprises. END
SUMMARY.

2. The new cabinet includes:
a. Prime Minister, Dr. Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini (note: the two
first names are interchangeable, seemingly depending on whether for
a western or African audience)
b. Deputy Prime Minister, Themba Masuku: former Minister of
Agriculture, Economic Planning and Development, and Finance;
currently working for FAO in New York , holds a B.S. in agronomy and
an M.S. in agricultural mechanization from the University of
Missouri-Columbia.
c. Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Prince
Hlangusemphi: worked for Ministry of Defense for past 13 years;
King's half brother
d. Minister of Finance, Majozi Sithole: King's appointee, third
consecutive term as Minister of Finance
e. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lutfo Dlamini: elected MP, served
two consecutive terms as Minister of Enterprise and Employment;
regular contributor to the Queen Mother's charitable organization
f. Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ntuthuko Dlamini:
legislator in seventh parliament, former civil servant
g. Minister of Health, Benedict Xaba: nurse; owns a HIV/AID
counseling center
h. Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Trade, Jabulile Mashwama:
Human Resources Manager at Conco Swaziland; finalist in 2008
Businesswoman of the Year competition.
i. Minister of Local Government and Housing, Pastor Lindiwe Gwebu:
Bethel Court's Lodge Director, 2007 Businesswoman of the Year;
married to army officer; media reported scandal involving use of
army equipment at their residence
j. Minister of Education and Training, Wilson Ntjangase: has a
master's degree in Education, previously taught at Masiphula High
School
k. Minister of Agriculture, Clement Dlamini: elected to his third
consecutive term as an MP
l. Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Macford Sibandze:
founder and director of cultural dancing troup
m. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Patrick Magwebetane
Mamba: elected MP
n. Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, Princess Tsandzile:
King's appointee to last Parliament; King Sobhuza's daughter;
received Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Boston University
o. Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Hlobsile Ndlovu:
former deputy minister in Ministry of Regional Development and Youth
Affairs, elected MP
p. Minister of Information, Communications Technology, Nel'siwe
Shongwe: Manzini businesswoman
q. Minister of Home Affairs, Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze: young
traditional chief
r. Minister of Public Service, Mtiti Fakudze: Minister of
Agriculture (2003 - 2008),has bachelors in agriculture from
University of Swaziland
s. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Ndumiso Mamba:
CEO of Tibiyo Taka Ngwane since 2004, brother of Principal Secretary
of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, holds masters of law degree from the
University of London.

3. Influential decision-making bodies in government include the
Swazi National Council (SNC) Standing Committee, the Ludzidni
Committee (which advises the Queen Mother) and the Border
Determination Committee, which increase the number of the King's
appointees in government to about 81. There are at least 20 princes
and princesses, and at least 16 chiefs, who are part of the new
government itself or on a complementary committee.

4. COMMENT: The appointments have made clear that the new
administration is expected to be loyal and conform to the directives
from the king, ruling committees and Prime Minister. Protection of
the traditional structures and an emphasis on security seem to be
assured.

PARKER