Pholile Dlamini Shakantu is a Liswati politician. She has been the Minister of Justice from 2018 and the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2023.
Pholile Shakantu | |
|---|---|
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| Nationality | Emaswati |
| Education | University of Eswatini Leeds Beckett University |
| Occupation(s) | lawyer and politician |
| Known for | Ministerial career |
Life
editShakantu studied law at the University of Eswatini and she has a law degree. She also has a master's degree from Leeds Beckett University in Leadership and Change Management.[1]
She was appointed to be the Minister of Justice by King Mswati III in 2018.[1]
She was appointed as a senator by the King on 5 November 2023 after the appointment of Russell Dlamini as the 12th Prime Minister to advise the king about new ministers.[2] There are meant to be about thirty senators in Eswatini and she was one of twenty appointed by the King.[3] Later on 13 November she was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs.[1]
In 2024, Shakantu visited the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Shakantu was received by President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President Lai Ching-te as an ally. Eswatini is the only remaining country in Africa that recognises the Republic of China. Tsai thanked Shakuntu for her country's support including speaking up at the United Nations.[4][5][6] Shakuntu and Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu signed an agreement reaffirming the two countries' close relationship.[7] Over 25 years Taiwan's assistance to Eswatini is estimated to be worth more than two billion dollars.[8]
The Taiwan government started its own digital platform TaiwanPlus in 2021.[9] Shakuntu was shown TaiwanPlus by Deputy Digital Minister Yeh Ning, and they discussed how it could help co-operation and counter disinformation.[7]
Shakuntu is the founder[1] and patron of the Eswatini Network of Women.[10]
Criticism
editCriticism published in South Africa alleges that the King, Shakuntu and her husband are involved with corruption.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Minister Pholile Shakantu Profile". www.gov.sz. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Ndebele, Lenin. "Eswatini has a new prime minister". News24. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ EDN_Reporter (6 November 2023). "The King's chosen 20 Senators". Eswatini Daily News. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ "Eswatini's foreign minister arrives in Taiwan for diplomatic visit - Africa Briefing". africabriefing.com. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ "President Tsai meets Eswatini Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu". english.president.gov.tw. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Unwin, Mike (8 November 2012). Swaziland. Bradt Travel Guides. ISBN 978-1-84162-400-6.
- ^ a b China (Taiwan), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of (6 February 2024). "MOFA praises successful visit of Eswatini Foreign Minister Shakantu". Taiwan Today. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Staff, T. N. L. (1 February 2024). "Eswatini Signs Declaration to Vow Tight Diplomatic Ties with Taiwan". The News Lens International Edition. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Government launches new English video platform Taiwan Plus, 2021
- ^ "Eswatini Network of Women joins ..." Retrieved 11 February 2024 – via PressReader.
- ^ "Justice Minister Pholile Shakantu, the corrupt and lying 'First Lady'". www.swazilandnews.co.za. Retrieved 11 February 2024.