MBABANE:Owen Nxumalo,the Minister of Education and Training has been applauded for trying to find solutions between striking Limkokwing University of Creative Technology(LUCT) Lecturers and the institution of higher learning.
This comes after the Minister, through Acting Principal Secretary(PS) Nanike Mnisi wrote to the Limkokwing University lawyers, calling for a meeting between both parties in an effort to resolve the crisis.
“The honorable Minister for Education and Training has been directed by Cabinet to look into the issues that seem to be unsolvable between the parties and try to convene a meeting to resolve them. By being directed as above, Cabinet was very careful that such action should not be deemed as interference in labour disputes between the parties”, reads the letter dated 06 May 2024 and signed by the Acting Principal Secretary(PS).
An insider who was part of a previous meeting with the Minister said, the employees were happy to see Nxumalo’s willingness to engage and neutrality when trying to end the strike at Limkokwing.
“He asked the Limkokwing Management why they are failing to table an offer to the employees, he said employees should not be treated as enemies of the institution but they must be engaged through the round-table. The Minister even suggested that, it’s in the best interest of Government to end the strike because the employees are striking without pay and this is contributing to the high poverty rate, he asked the Management who will feed their families if they go for months without any salary as a result of the strike”,said the insider who leaked the letter to this journalist.
Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo had not responded at the time of compiling this report and efforts to reach the Limkokwing Management were unsuccessful.
Reached for comments by this Swaziland News on Tuesday evening,Stanley Simelane,the Secretary General(SG) of the National Workers Union of Swaziland Higher Institutions(NAWUSHI) confirmed a meeting with the Education and Training Minister where he demonstrated willingness to find a solution to the ongoing strike in the in the interest of both parties.
“He explained that his Ministry is an important stakeholder at the University,they are concerned about the prolonged strike with no solution on sight.He also expressed national interest,public funds used at the University,future of students and staff”, said the Secretary General(SG).
On another note,the Education and Training Minister seems to be getting support from both parties with the manner in which he is handling the issues within the University, a Lecturer who contacted this journalist said, Nxumalo demonstrated leadership.
“I am giving you this story and you can research for yourself.Awati intfo lenhle lesiyentelwa ngu-Owen emihlanganweni,he is neutral and willing to end the strike.Mine bengingati kutsi Owen uyakwati to engage and address workers issues. Umuntfu nakenta kahle uyadzinga kubongwa”, said one of the Lecturers.
Education Minister Owen Nxumalo.