BY MBONO MDLULI
MATSAPHA – Thousands of Emaswati and other members of the public braved the hot weather to be part of the 22nd Police Day and Passing Out Parade Celebration.
The event was held at Matsapha Police Academy, with the maximum temperature reaching about 28°Celsius. The event was graced by the presence of Their Majesties and other important people in the country.
In this event, the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) was also celebrating 118 years of its existence in Eswatini, serving Emaswati with in ensuring peace and order, as well as protecting civilian lives and properties.
What was also celebrated at the event was the passing out of 192 police recruits. They consisted of 121 males and 71 females.
The event was already underway at about 7am, when the police officers arrived at the event where the event was held. The arrival of parents of the police officers passing out followed at around 9am. It was coupled with the arrival of members of the public.
Visiting police chiefs from others countries, such as Rwanda and Lesotho happened at 9:30am. The arrivals were also characterised by certain activities, such as poems, dances by learners from Gamula High School, traditional dances such as sibhaca and ingadla rendered by police officers.
At around 12:30pm, Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini arrived at the arena. Dlamini is the minister responsible for the police, by virtue of being the PM. His arrival was preceded by the arrival of Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla, Cabinet ministers, diplomats, dignitaries, invited guests, and Police National Commissioner (NatCom) Vusi Manoma Masango.
The PM’s arrival was closely followed by the arrivals of Balondolozi, members of the Royal family, and Emakhosikati to His Majesty King Mswati III.
At about 1pm, Her Majesty the Indlovukazi arrived. Her arrival was hailed by thunderous applauses from members of the public who were at the event, coupled with praise singing from different praise singers, including some from REPS. Attendants were on their feet, showing respect for Indlovukazi.
The hype surrounding the arrival of the Queen Mother lasted from the time she arrived until the National Anthem was sung. She took her seat after the National Anthem.
The Queen Mother’s arrival was followed by the arrival of His Majesty King Mswati III, who is the Commissioner-In-Chief of REPS.
The hype characterising the arrival of the king was even louder than that of the Indlovukazi. Praise singing at that time was at the highest, and the number of praise singers was higher. The numbers of the people hailing the king seemed to have increased. Attendants at the time we’re on their feet, showing respect to the king.
The National Anthem was sung after the arrival of the king. After that, he was informed of the different groups of police officers that took part in these celebrations, who were referred to as the Parade. He was asked to inspect all of them, which he did.
When inspecting the parade, the king was accompanied by Security Chiefs, including Police NatCom Vusi Manoma Masango, His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) Commissioner General (ComGen) LaMakhosini Phindile Dlamini, and Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) Commander Lieutenant General Mashikilisane Fakudze.
Upon finishing the inspection, the king took his seat, and it was time for the opening prayer. It was done by REPS Chief Chaplain 5187 Inspector Mduduzi Makhanya. He quoted the Bible book of Psalms 126, where Israelites had expressed gratitude to God for allowing them to go back to rule themselves in Jerusalem, after being held captive for 70 years.
Inspector Makhanya quoted this verse to illustrate that God had also been there for them as the police, as he took them out of problems similar to the ones faced by the Israelites. He mentioned that God could also free anyone from captivity, as long as he was pleaded to do so by the captured person.
After Makhanya had prayed, it was time for displays by various groups of police officers, who passed before Their Majesties and other members of the public for appreciation. The groups also included school-going children, which also marched before Their Majesties and other members of the public. They were all impressed by brilliant displays by the young ones.
Other impressive displays included those of police vehicles, which were acquired to do various duties of the police. Motorbike displays were also impressive, while keeping the audience in awe and at the edge of their seats. The displays were unusual, as some police officers were doing push-ups while riding on the motorbikes.
They also startled the attendants when they drove their motorbikes under thatched huts that were set ablaze. Many felt such displays were dangerous, but the police showed that they had dedicated their time training on how to do these things.
The police also displayed how they deal with sophisticated criminals and civil unrests under any circumstances. Their Majesties and the people were impressed.
A baton of honour was presented to excelling recruits, who were honoured before Their Majesties. An oath of office was later taken by the police recruits to serve the king and the nation with honour and diligence.
The prime minister delivered his address, praising the police for performing their duties with respect, as they ensured the safety of the nation. The PM urged His Majesty the King to address the police and the nation.
At around 16:15pm, the king took to the podium to address the police and the recruits, for continuing to show dedication in their duty. He reminded them of their importance in ensuring peace and order in society. He also thanked the police chiefs from other countries for showing support to Eswatini. He told the recruits about the importance of staying fit, as policing was a job that demanded a lot from a person.
He further urged both the police and the nation to work together because they need each other. This, according to the king, would go a long way in making this country a safe haven for all.
After the king’s keynote address, the Guard of Honour advanced in review order. Parade marched off afterwards, before a photo session by His Majesty with REPS and visiting police chiefs from other countries.
Entertainment activities were rendered by various groups, until such time when Their Majesties, invited guests, and members of the public had to leave, marking the end of an exciting event.
