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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