His Majesty King Mswati III was in a distinctly celebratory mood at the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF) golden jubilee.
The occasion brought together Cabinet, senior government officials, captains of industry and international guests.
Taking to the podium, His Majesty lightened the atmosphere from the onset, referencing a classic tune by Tony! Toni! Toné! to capture the spirit of the milestone.
“When I heard the artists performing and the fact that we are celebrating 50 years, I remembered the classic song which says ‘It’s an anniversary’,” he said, drawing appreciative laughter from the packed audience gathered for the gala event.
True to the song’s refrain, the evening radiated an unmistakable air of celebration, helped by the king’s own warmth and humour which he interspersed throughout an otherwise weighty address.
As a result, the speech was marked by intermittent bursts of levity that softened the formalities and lent the night a warm, communal feel, a tone that resonated with many who attended.
At one point, he shared a light moment recalling a quip by the Master of Ceremonies, Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi, who had joked about the lavish spread on offer, teasing attendees that they ought to check whether they would still fit through the exit doors at the end of the evening.
His Majesty deftly picked up the joke, turning it back on Minister Buthelezi, himself no stranger to playful jabs from the public about his visibly fuller frame of late, suggesting that, as MC and the minister responsible for the ENPF ought to set the example first.
The King’s jest was met with ripples of laughter that echoed across the grand hall, momentarily lifting the formal tone.
The king called attention to the Fund’s commitment to national development, commending its strides in directing a substantial portion of its investments towards domestic projects.
“We are proud that the ENPF has answered the call to make at least 30 per cent of its investments locally to uplift the country through infrastructure and job creation,” the king stated.
“Yes, international investments are good, but it is equally important to focus on our own economy,” added the Monarch, highlighting with satisfaction that the country’s banking leaders, among them Nedbank Chief Executive Officer Fikile Nkosi, Standard Bank Chief Executive Mvuselelo Fakudze and Swaziland Building Society Managing Director Mbali Sibanyoni, were nodding in agreement.
As the official proceedings drew to a close, His Majesty posed for photographs with ENPF board members, the investment committee and delegates from the International Social Security Association (ISSA).
In a scene that typified the evening’s warm spirit, the king was seen sharing a brief exchange with businessman Tum Du Pont, part of the Fund’s board member and giving good-humoured instructions to Minister Buthelezi and ENPF CEO Futhi Tembe as cameras flashed.
Eswatini Observer Press Reader
