By Zweli Martin Dlamini

Chief Ngalonkhulu Mabuza of Mafutseni grabbed the attention of journalists from this publication when he bowed before Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini at uMphakatsi on Thursday during the distribution of food to residents.

Subsequently, there was a debate on whether a Chief can bow to a Prime Minister or it’s the Prime Minister who must bow before the Chief according to the country’s governing hierarchy.

In our culture, a Chief is the most senior and respected traditional leader but, Chief Ngalonkhulu demonstrated respect towards the Prime Minister because in the political hierarchy, Russell Mmiso Dlamini is the third(3rd) in command after the King and the Queen.

As the editor,I was attracted to the respectful behavior of the Chief towards the PM because we can learn from it,respect is not demanded but earned.

But in politics there’s no elder, the Chief who is an appointed Member of Parliament(MP) is highly expected to hold the Prime Minister accountable,Parliament is a different political environment.

I was once invited by the Southern African Development Community(SADC) Troika Organ to cover an Extraordinary Meeting on eSwatini crisis but unfortunately, the meeting was then cancelled.

South African journalists were asking me how I will react when meeting King Mswati there and I told them that, I will greet him with respect as an elder of the Dlamini clan and then, demand accountability regarding the killing of civilians.

When a junior Dlamini meets a senior Dlamini, the junior must demonstrate respect just like the elder but, when an editor of the Swaziland News questions a Head of State, that’s a completely different situation governed by the principles of journalism and accountability in the public administration.

Respect is our unique way of life as emaSwati, even if I can meet Russell Dlamini, I can bow before a Dlamini who comes from the senior Royal House of Prince Mbilini.

When I grew-up in the 1990s,  Chief Mabhedla Hlophe would consistently visit my grandfather Prince Mgungu at home and one day, he found him sitting on a chair but when my grandfather stood-up so that the Chief could sit, the Chief sat down saying “hawu Nkhosi ungahlupheki ngitawuhlala khona lana”.

As emaSwati, we grew-up under a culture of respect, we never emerged from the trees but culture must not be manipulated and used as a tool of political oppression.

As a journalist, I am obligated to hold the Prime Minister and the King accountable, there’s no bowing and political romance in politics.

So it’s important to understand and separate our culture from politics, when we blast King Mswati, the PM and other public figures some think we are not subscribing to the principles of respect and humanity.

But I am one person who value respect hence the interest in Chief Ngalonkhulu’s behavior, elders must respect the youth and, the youth must respect elders.

When holding public office, you are administering public funds and we must hold you accountable, that does not mean by so doing, we lack respect.