KING mswati III OPENS NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
08/03/2014
History books were re-written yesterday when His Majesty King Mswati III officially inaugurated the much anticipated multi-billion airport situated at Sikhuphe
History books were re-written yesterday when His Majesty King Mswati III officially inaugurated the much anticipated multi-billion airport situated at Sikhuphe, christened it by his name, King Mswati III International Airport.
This is the first project to bear the King’s name, which can lead us to conclude how much it is close to his heart. Other projects, like Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre and many others, he dedicated to some of the country’s heroes.
Located in the eastern tip of the country, thousands of people converged to witness the launch of Swaziland’s most expansive single infrastructural development project estimated to cost a staggering E3 billion.
The King stated unflinchingly that the airport was not a joke as some pessimists had already hinted that the country does not need such extravagance.
He said the completion and commissioning of the airport had proved all doubting Thomases wrong.
“Makucala lomsebenti bekungacaci kulabanyenti (many people doubted this dream),” explained the King confidently as he unpacked the rationale behind building a new airport.
Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony, the Ingwenyama posited “kutaba yi history lena bekunene hhayi emaswidi (this is history in the making and not a joke),” adding that he was convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that the airport was a significant necessity.
“We have had diverse thoughts about the construction of the airport but the nation took a position on this issue. Not only Swazis have confidence on this project but also partners and friends in the outside world bought into our vision and dream,” roared the Ingwenyama.
He took the audience down the memory lane when the project was at its infancy stages where people simply dismissed it as only a dream that will never be realised.
“I recall that even members of parliament were totally against this project and dismissed the idea as a joke (emaswidi). Akusiwo emaswidi lawa bekunene (this is not a joke),” emphasised the King to a round of applause and a reverberating shout of Bayethe.
One thing was clear throughout the King’s address that he was extremely passionate about the project and that it was very close to his heart.
Airport is not a showoff - King
The Ingwenyama pointed out that the state of the art King Mswati III International Airport was not meant to showoff but one of the programmes and initiatives the country embarked on to position itself as a first world country as enshrined in the National Development Strategy.
“The nation will agree with me that we have all been looking forward to this day because the new airport comes with multiple benefits for the general populace. We welcome you all to this new jewel for the Kingdom of eSwatini. Such a project is not a showoff but an important development tool,” he said.
He added in vernacular much to amusement of the thousands of people gathered: “Indlela ibovu ibheke khona ku First World (we are on course to attaining first world).”
He stated that the country had some limitations in terms of the size of aircrafts coming into the Kingdom through Matsapha airport.
“This new airport has been designed to accommodate wide body aircrafts. This will open an international gateway for airlines of the world to land in our Kingdom since the runway and other infrastructure are of international standards,” he posited.
He said the terrain in Matsapha was surrounded by mountains thus making it difficult for some aircrafts to land, adding that the new site had ample space for future development.
“We, therefore, challenge all existing and potential export oriented companies to take advantage of this infrastructure that we launch today. The airport should maximise the potential positive spin-offs,” he said.
‘Airport need strong management
Meanwhile, the King also announced that the new airport needed a strong management team so that it would not become a laughing stock.
“A strong management is needed. Ingagucuki ibe yinhlekisa (it should not be a laughing stock),” he charged hence the need to engage international partners for this great initiative.
The King said he always imagined when in every second an aircraft would be landing at the new King Mswati III International Airport.
He said in order to attract international airlines to use the airport, the country needed to make sure that a peaceful environment prevails, as peace and stability remain a key catalyst for attracting foreign direct investment.
“Let us make this facility a preferred airport by airlines of the world. We need to give it a unique identity which blends our culture and modernity to create a world class and lasting impression for our visitors. It should maintain the highest degree of safety, be highly efficient in all services provided while offering a feel good factor that will have the tourists coming back here time and again,” said the King. He encouraged the staff that would work at the airport to portray a good image and avoid things that would discredit the image of the airport.
Magnificent airport in the jungle’
His Majesty King Mswati III left the audience in stitches of laughter as he elucidated how a jungle in Malindza area has been transformed into one of the best development structures in Africa.
He said the ‘jungle airport’ was now looking for partners since it has been officially commissioned and charged businesspeople to “seize the opportunity that has been availed in the jungle”.
remarkable
The King was at his element best exuding a remarkable sense of homour as he noted how some pessimists dismissed the idea to build an international airport right in the middle of the jungle.
He disclosed that not only an airport would be built but the jungle would be transformed into a great city.
He said he watched an international documentary where a commentator turned this project and ultimately the dream into a laughing stock, saying it would never see the light.
He said the commentator told the entire world in a very sarcastic manner that “King Mswati III has decided to build an airport right in the middle of the jungle”. He said this commentator even took photographs of cattle and cow dung wondering what an international airport was doing in the wilderness.
angered
The Ingwenyama said a lot of Swazi people were angered by this documentary such that they approached him to register their concerns and anger. “I told them to rejoice because this was free marketing. Kutsi kunetinkhomo nebulongo nayi i airport (whether there is cattle or cow dung here is our airport,” said the King as the audience whistled in jubilation.
Added His Majesty: “Solo intfutfuko iyachubeka emahlatsini (the jungle is being transformed. We have ambassadors here who have come to witness the project started in the jungle. This is now a great jungle. As I was coming to Sikhuphe we drove through a highway from the off ramp. Who could have thought of a highway in the jungle?
partners
I wish that the person who was mocking us was here with us today so that he could tell the world that the jungle airport has been officially opened and is now looking for partners,” he said as the audience burst into untold fits of laughter.
He charged the entire nation never to look down upon themselves and their abilities and capabilities.
“Indlela ibovu ibheke ku first world (we are moving towards first world), he sad, warning the nation to stop depending on other people.
He thanked the Malindza community for their cooperation with government during the construction of the airport.
King frowns on dependency syndrome
His Majesty the King has urged the entire nation never to look down upon themselves.
He encouraged the citizens to sharpen their minds as they prepared for the attainment of First World status.
“Ningatibukeli phansi bekunene (never look down upon yourselves),” he said to a round of applause.
He spoke passionately about leading an independent life. “We need to have a foresighted nation that will think about the future generation. I therefore charge the entire nation to stop the culture of depending on other people for survival,” he said. This particular concern came after the Ingwenyama highlighted a certain expert opinion that the Sikhuphe airport should be thatched. This opinion clearly agitated the King because it showed that people looked down upon Swazis and African in general.
“I recall that this expert said we must thatch the roof of the airport. I imagined that we would be the only country to have a thatched roof airport and most probably be the last,” he said.
Govt pledges to maintain and market airport
Government has pledged her unwavering and unflinching support geared towards maintaining and marketing the King Mswati III International Airport.
Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini said for the airport to be used by reputable airline of the world it needed a vigorous marketing strategy.
He said government will ensure that the airport become a dynamic hub that will be a catalyst for trade and investment.
He stated that as the new airport was being inaugurated, no person will be more happy and excited that the Ingwenyama himself.
“As government we take the opportunity to pledge that government will spare no effort in ensuring that this airport is managed and maintained to the requisite international standards and that it will be convincingly marketed for use by the airlines of the world,” the premier said.
PM Dlamini also thanked the King for being in the forefront in promoting the country as an investment destination.
“I am sure none will be more thrilled that the Ingwenyama since the airport will play a crucially important part in meeting the King’s vision of a higher level in national development and taking the Kingdom towards achieving First World status,” he said.
He assured the nation that the various ministries will collaborate vigorously to explore every opportunity to make this airport a dynamic hub, facilitating an increase in two way trade, attracting new investments and satisfying the needs of the global tourist,” he charged.
