Turn debates into results – Speaker tells MPs

MBABANE – Eswatini Parliament Speaker, Jabulani Mabuza has challenged Members of Parliament (MPs) to strengthen accountability and ensure that parliamentary debates and committee recommendations translate into tangible results for the nation.

Mabuza was speaking during the opening of a three-day retreat for MPs at Sibebe Resort, where legislators are reflecting on parliamentary practices, ethical leadership, the separation of powers and the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight.

He said the retreat provided an opportunity for MPs to assess their performance and identify practical measures to improve the institution’s operations.

The Speaker noted that parliamentary work should not end with discussions, but must lead to meaningful action through clear responsibilities, access to information, proper record-keeping and consistent follow-up.

“The quality of Parliament’s work depends on both individual commitment and institutional systems,” Mabuza said.

He stressed that committee recommendations required effective monitoring mechanisms to ensure implementation and that Parliament needed to strengthen the processes linking deliberations to results.

Mabuza also revealed that Parliament was strengthening its research capacity through the appointment of two researchers from the University of Eswatini, who will support the House of Assembly and the Senate respectively.

The researchers form part of a three-member Research Department, which includes a Director of Research, and will serve an initial one-year period.

The initiative is expected to improve MPs’ access to evidence when scrutinising legislation, assessing budgets, examining policy proposals and preparing questions for the Executive.

Mabuza urged legislators to engage researchers early and make purposeful use of the service to improve debates, committee reports and recommendations.

The retreat will also examine ethical leadership, the Leadership Code of Conduct, parliamentary-executive relations and Parliament’s financial autonomy.

Mabuza said adequate and predictable funding was essential for Parliament to fulfil its mandate, but had to be accompanied by sound financial management and transparency.

Mabuza encouraged members to participate openly and learn from one another, emphasising that the retreat’s success would ultimately depend on the changes implemented after the discussions.

He called for clear action plans, assigned responsibilities and timelines to monitor progress, urging MPs to use the three-day exercise to strengthen the systems through which they serve the nation.

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