MANZINI – Dr Samuel Hynd, the deceased legendary doctor, once served as the Minister of Health.
He can be remembered for his vigorous fight against an outbreak of cholera in the country in the 1980s, which threatened to wipe out the entire kingdom.
The disease had started in South Africa.
As minister, Dr Hynd banned the import of vegetables, fruits and other products from South Africa as a prevention measure.
He and Prince Mabandla, the then Prime Minister, were credited for containing the outbreak of the disease.
He also introduced a Bill, which recognised medical aid in Swaziland in the face of strong opposition in Parliament. This Bill was eventually passed into law.
Dr Hynd, who died on Thursday, was the Minister of Health during the premiership of Prince Maphevu and Prince Mabandla, respectively.
Prince Maphevu was Prime Minister from March 31, 1976 until his death on October 25, 1979. He died at the age of 57. Prince Fred Mabandla Dlamini was Prime Minister from November 1979 to March 1983.
Prince Mabandla, now aged 86, is currently the Chairperson of Liqoqo, an advisory council to His Majesty the King.
Dr Hynd, who managed the delivery of Prince Makhosetive on April 19, 1968 at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital in Manzini, is the son of Dr David Hynd, the pioneer of the RFM hospital.
Prince Makhosetive was renamed Mswati III when he officially became the King of the Kingdom of Swaziland on April 25, 1986.
In an interview, Prince Mabandla spoke highly of the departed legendary physician.
He described him as a highly committed and dedicated doctor who played a major role in his Cabinet. Outside Cabinet, the prince said Dr Hynd executed his duties with sheer aplomb.
He said he worked well with the doctor.
“I regarded Dr Hynd as my brother. I will find time to comfort his family. I am really touched by his death,” said the prince.
Ben Mshamndane Nsibandze, the former Minister of Labour and later Deputy Prime Minister, said Dr Hynd was his colleague in Cabinet.
He said Hynd also experienced the harshness of Liqoqo, the Supreme Council of State which ruled the country after the death of King Sobhuza II in 1982.