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Reference ID	Created	Released	Classification	Origin
08MBABANE353	2008-11-17 14:19	2011-08-30 01:44	UNCLASSIFIED	Embassy Mbabane

R 171419Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY MBABANE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 3320
INFO SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY

UNCLAS MBABANE 000353 


DEPT FOR AF/S (MHARRIS) 

E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV ELAB KDEM PREL WZ

¶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

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