By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Alec Lushaba, the veteran Swazi Observer editor has joined the Financial Times, a newly established newspaper.

Reached for comments,Lushaba, the former Chairperson of the Media Institute for Southern Africa(MISA) confirmed joining the new publication however, he clarified that he did not resign from the Observer but decided to face new challenges and join the new publication after his contract came to an end.

“It’s true that I have joined the publication but it’s not a question of me resigning from the Observer, my contract came to an end and I decided to face new challenges”, said the editor.

Alec Lushaba is among the highly experienced journalists from the Times of Eswatini and the Eswatini Observer who are expected to join the new publication.

Reached for comments, Nqaba Matshazi, the Regional Campaigns Coordinator of the Media Institute for Southern Africa(MISA) welcomed the establishment of the newspaper adding that it would promote media diversity and pluralism.

MISA is a regional organization that promotes media pluralism and diversity, its Headquarters are based in Zimbabwe.

“Freedom of expression and democracy can only be enhanced if there is pluralism and diversity. So the entrance of the new publication is something that is good news because that means there would be  more players in the media,” said the MISA Regional Campaigns Coordinator.

The new publication with three titles Eswatini Financial Times, Eswatini Daily News and Eswatini Sunday Times is owned by Rubicon Media Group.