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.



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