As the world watches Israel destroy the country of Lebanon, newspapers in most countries relay the horrific story as the cover story. But not Swazi papers, they have their own obsession. Today's front page news in the corrupted kingdom focused on the sexual performance of MPs as rated by their wives. The headlines read "Minister sizzles in bed" and "Lutfo 'hot' in bed, says wife". Lutfo is a Member of the Swazi Parliament.
http://www.times.co.sz/058.html#article9
Last week the Prime Minister, Themba Dlamini, felt it was his role to tell the nation that men should "satisfy their wives in bed"! With all the urgent matters in the country one sees a new level of absurdity unfolding.
But who can blame the men and their obsession with sex while their leader, the king, is busy lusting over the "flowers of the nation". Next month, at the Reed Dance, he will choose a new girl who will only become his wife when she becomes pregnant. She'll be wife #14 or 15 and her role is to produce more of the royal clan.
Unfortunately, the majority of Swazi editors and journalist can't seem to differentiate between newsworthy articles and cheap tabloid gossip. They are too often negligent in their role of informing the public and perhaps are quite comfortable with the status quo.
Has sex replaced religion as the "opiate of the people"?
*************************************************
News this week
July 23 A sorry excuse for a school
July 23 Hospital is filthy as it runs dry
July 21 Marchers attack PM’s official
July 19 Some cultural practices may spread HIV - report
July 17 Over E63 million (Can$12 million) spent by Swaziland National Treasury (King's Office)
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Monday, July 10, 2006
Jul10 Sd2006
A garden at Lesibovu
Some years ago World Vision in Swaziland had gone to
Lesibovu with the idea of a community garden and began
a project with 14 local women.The organization spoke to
the chief about a piece of land, built an irrigation system
with sprinklers, put up fencing and provided seeds. Initially
it seemed a successful project but after a short time the
flaws caused the fields to be totally abandoned.
When designing the irrigation system for this garden a
watering trough for cattle was also included; unfortunately,
it was built within 30 feet of the garden. So as the gardens
grew cattle were constantly pressing against the fence to
reach the produce. It was not possible to keep the animals
out and the garden was discontinued since these women
did not have funds to rebuild an appropriate fence.
In Swaziland cattle are not kept in compounds and one
wonders why this fact was not considered in the original
design work. Additionally, the sprinkling system is poorly
conceived as the roots, not leaves, need watering; this
method of irrigation is the most inefficient and wasteful.
Projects like this are not sustainable because local people
have not played an active role in solving their own crises,
they are recipients but rarely consulted for imput. Human
dignity is reduced as individuals are told "what is best". Their
knowledge, wisdom and significant contribution are never
realized.
It is this same group of women at Lesibovu with whom
Mphandlana Shongwe will begin working as we develop
an organization entitled "Sustainable Development Initiative".
Our intention is to plan farming projects which will not
erode in a short time but lead to communities that blossom
with potential. Last week over $1000 was sent from Canada
- if you'd like to contribute please reply.
*******************************************************************
Yesterday's Sunday News indicates that once again "tis the
season for lusting". August usually marks the reed dance
when the "flowers of the nation" (teenaged virgins) dance
before the king and he chooses his annual wife.
July 9 Drunk soldier abducts girl for king
*******************************************************************
Saturday's Swazi News had a surprising story that FW
de Klerk was advising the king of Swaziland. So we ask,
if de Klerk is advising Mswati, who is Mandela advising?
July 8 F.W. de Klerk is king’s advisor
*******************************************************************
News this week
July 8 Swaziland signs deadly agreement with USA
July 7 Minister quizzed on decline of donors
July 7 External forces working against SD’s prosperity
July 7 Jan accused of being a dictator
July 7 Jail MP Titus says DPP
July 6 PUDEMO calls for isolation of Swaziland
July 5 America determined to help SD says Lucke
July 4 Murder & torture at royal residence
PUDEMO’s Mlumati Declaration July 2006
July 3 Mission accomplished - ILO delegation
Some years ago World Vision in Swaziland had gone to
Lesibovu with the idea of a community garden and began
a project with 14 local women.The organization spoke to
the chief about a piece of land, built an irrigation system
with sprinklers, put up fencing and provided seeds. Initially
it seemed a successful project but after a short time the
flaws caused the fields to be totally abandoned.
When designing the irrigation system for this garden a
watering trough for cattle was also included; unfortunately,
it was built within 30 feet of the garden. So as the gardens
grew cattle were constantly pressing against the fence to
reach the produce. It was not possible to keep the animals
out and the garden was discontinued since these women
did not have funds to rebuild an appropriate fence.
In Swaziland cattle are not kept in compounds and one
wonders why this fact was not considered in the original
design work. Additionally, the sprinkling system is poorly
conceived as the roots, not leaves, need watering; this
method of irrigation is the most inefficient and wasteful.
Projects like this are not sustainable because local people
have not played an active role in solving their own crises,
they are recipients but rarely consulted for imput. Human
dignity is reduced as individuals are told "what is best". Their
knowledge, wisdom and significant contribution are never
realized.
It is this same group of women at Lesibovu with whom
Mphandlana Shongwe will begin working as we develop
an organization entitled "Sustainable Development Initiative".
Our intention is to plan farming projects which will not
erode in a short time but lead to communities that blossom
with potential. Last week over $1000 was sent from Canada
- if you'd like to contribute please reply.
*******************************************************************
Yesterday's Sunday News indicates that once again "tis the
season for lusting". August usually marks the reed dance
when the "flowers of the nation" (teenaged virgins) dance
before the king and he chooses his annual wife.
July 9 Drunk soldier abducts girl for king
*******************************************************************
Saturday's Swazi News had a surprising story that FW
de Klerk was advising the king of Swaziland. So we ask,
if de Klerk is advising Mswati, who is Mandela advising?
July 8 F.W. de Klerk is king’s advisor
*******************************************************************
News this week
July 8 Swaziland signs deadly agreement with USA
July 7 Minister quizzed on decline of donors
July 7 External forces working against SD’s prosperity
July 7 Jan accused of being a dictator
July 7 Jail MP Titus says DPP
July 6 PUDEMO calls for isolation of Swaziland
July 5 America determined to help SD says Lucke
July 4 Murder & torture at royal residence
PUDEMO’s Mlumati Declaration July 2006
July 3 Mission accomplished - ILO delegation
Sunday, July 2, 2006
Jul2 Sd2006
As we celebrated Canada Day this weekend, the Peoples
United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) held its annual
conference in the Republic of South Africa (RSA). The reasons
for meeting outside Swaziland were noted by IB Dlamini,
Secretary General of PUDEMO:
United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) held its annual
conference in the Republic of South Africa (RSA). The reasons
for meeting outside Swaziland were noted by IB Dlamini,
Secretary General of PUDEMO:
Preparing for an annual conference is taxing in terms of
time and resources. It would have been unwise of PUDEMO
to risk all the effort by holding this meeting in Swaziland
where the Royal hit squads marauding as police would
disrupt the conference.
Another factor is that Swaziland is second only after
Zimbabwe to generate exiles. We have quite a sizeable
number of our members who fled Swaziland over the years
because of political persecution. They are in Australia, UK,
RSA and other countries. They need to attend the conference
as well so that they can contribute to the liberation plan as
it is unfolded.
Secretary General Statement:PUDEMO goes to annual conference – 28th June to 2nd July
time and resources. It would have been unwise of PUDEMO
to risk all the effort by holding this meeting in Swaziland
where the Royal hit squads marauding as police would
disrupt the conference.
Another factor is that Swaziland is second only after
Zimbabwe to generate exiles. We have quite a sizeable
number of our members who fled Swaziland over the years
because of political persecution. They are in Australia, UK,
RSA and other countries. They need to attend the conference
as well so that they can contribute to the liberation plan as
it is unfolded.
Secretary General Statement:PUDEMO goes to annual conference – 28th June to 2nd July
Mario Masuku, President of PUDEMO, clearly knows the
hardships of the non-elite of Swaziland as he has promoted
democracy in Swaziland for decades. He was tried for sedition
in 2002 and found innocent - after months of house arrest,
imprisonment and nearly 2 years of awaiting trial.
(See 2002 SEDITION TRIAL )
hardships of the non-elite of Swaziland as he has promoted
democracy in Swaziland for decades. He was tried for sedition
in 2002 and found innocent - after months of house arrest,
imprisonment and nearly 2 years of awaiting trial.
(See 2002 SEDITION TRIAL )
This brief excerpt from the President's address is to be noted
because we in Canada sometimes question the value of our
contributions - we wonder "What can a letter accomplish?".
Our solidarity is felt and our support is acknowledged.
because we in Canada sometimes question the value of our
contributions - we wonder "What can a letter accomplish?".
Our solidarity is felt and our support is acknowledged.
....we take this opportunity to salute the work of our international
friends and structures, key amongst them are the South African
tripartite alliance components, our European counterparts in
Denmark and Netherlands in particular, our newly established
Canadian structure of the Swaziland Solidarity Network and its
main body, the South Africa based Swaziland Solidarity Network
(SSN), our international offices in Australia, and South Africa,
all of them have done us proud. Without their active and
consistent support, we would not be where we are today.
We dare not let down their contributions, but demonstrate
renewed commitment to the cause.
friends and structures, key amongst them are the South African
tripartite alliance components, our European counterparts in
Denmark and Netherlands in particular, our newly established
Canadian structure of the Swaziland Solidarity Network and its
main body, the South Africa based Swaziland Solidarity Network
(SSN), our international offices in Australia, and South Africa,
all of them have done us proud. Without their active and
consistent support, we would not be where we are today.
We dare not let down their contributions, but demonstrate
renewed commitment to the cause.
In sharp contrast to PUDEMO's belief in a more fair distribution
of wealth is the government's belief in elitist absurdities. This
week the Swazi government announced it would spend E200
million ($40 million Can dollars) on new vehicles! The current
government is quite concerned with appearances and believes
new cars or a ‘facelift for the royal residences’ are priorities.
The health system is in crisis (even those money-hounds at
the World Bank have noticed!), orphans (estimated at 70,000
by UNICEF) can not attend schools because of fees, 70% of
the youth are unemployed, etc., but government officials seem
oblivious to the basic needs of the Swazi people.
PUDEMO and the Swaziland Solidarity Network have publishedof wealth is the government's belief in elitist absurdities. This
week the Swazi government announced it would spend E200
million ($40 million Can dollars) on new vehicles! The current
government is quite concerned with appearances and believes
new cars or a ‘facelift for the royal residences’ are priorities.
The health system is in crisis (even those money-hounds at
the World Bank have noticed!), orphans (estimated at 70,000
by UNICEF) can not attend schools because of fees, 70% of
the youth are unemployed, etc., but government officials seem
oblivious to the basic needs of the Swazi people.
documents which do address the needs of the people. They see
a need for a sustainable development so that the majority of the
people will do more than simply "subsist". We at SSN Canada
will begin a pilot project with longtime activist Mpandlana
Shongwe who will act as a co-ordinator for a community garden
project in Lesibovu. One thousand dollars have been collected
to date and if anyone wishes to contribute please reply. Thanks.
News this week
July 1 World Bank tells it all on Govt. hospitalJuly 1 Over 300 graves removed for LUSIP Dam project
June 30 Govt will buy 1000 cars
June 29 Facelift for royal residences
June 29 OVCs fund being misused - Senators
June 28 Britain bans Swazi aircraft
June 26 70% youth unemployed
June 26 Govt’s E200m shopping spree
June 25 Swazi nepotism again
June 24 Mbho Shongwe equates Tinkhundla to Apartheid
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