Today marks the 41st anniversary of Swaziland's Independence.
As early as 1922 King Sobhuza II travelled to Britain to claim that Swazi lands had been illegally taken. In January of 1923, Sobhuza II and his advisers (including Pixley kaI Seme, co-founder of the ANC and ANC President 1930-1936) met King George V and the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Their pleas were rejected.
Sobhuza II then tried a different route in 1924 when he undertook a legal case that challenged the legitimacy of the concessions granted during his grandfather's reign. Sobhuza II vs. Miller (1924-1926) proved unsuccessful as was the appeal to the Privy Council of London in April 1926.
It would not be until well after World War II that Swaziland would eventually become independent and Sobhuza II would then outwit his foreign rivals.
Britain had begun losing her colonies in the 1950s as their "Gold Coast" became Ghana. With that event a rippling effect would soon follow and by 1960 British Prime Minister Macmillan spoke of the "winds of change" sweeping Africa. That year Swaziland and Britain began talks and negotiations of how the "new" Swaziland would operate.
The Constitution of a new, independent and free Swaziland only lasted a few years after Independence Day of Sept 6, 1968. On April 12th, 1973 Sobhuza II infamous "Decrees" closed parliament, banned political parties, nullified the Constitution and he assumed "supreme authority".
So for many in Swaziland, this day of Independence is perhaps a meaningless day. When we ask how this nominal "independence" truly benefits the people we wonder what this day actually symbolizes. Is it real?
With Independence, Ghana for example allowed for free education with free textbooks. In Swaziland, 41 years after Independence, this is still not the case.
One of the major questions around the time of decolonization was which path these "new countries" would choose - socialist or capitalist. Claude Ake, a Nigerian writer asked the same thing in 1969 but reminded the reader there is also a third way - fascism.
Recent news articles from Swaziland:
As early as 1922 King Sobhuza II travelled to Britain to claim that Swazi lands had been illegally taken. In January of 1923, Sobhuza II and his advisers (including Pixley kaI Seme, co-founder of the ANC and ANC President 1930-1936) met King George V and the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Their pleas were rejected.
Sobhuza II then tried a different route in 1924 when he undertook a legal case that challenged the legitimacy of the concessions granted during his grandfather's reign. Sobhuza II vs. Miller (1924-1926) proved unsuccessful as was the appeal to the Privy Council of London in April 1926.
It would not be until well after World War II that Swaziland would eventually become independent and Sobhuza II would then outwit his foreign rivals.
Britain had begun losing her colonies in the 1950s as their "Gold Coast" became Ghana. With that event a rippling effect would soon follow and by 1960 British Prime Minister Macmillan spoke of the "winds of change" sweeping Africa. That year Swaziland and Britain began talks and negotiations of how the "new" Swaziland would operate.
The Constitution of a new, independent and free Swaziland only lasted a few years after Independence Day of Sept 6, 1968. On April 12th, 1973 Sobhuza II infamous "Decrees" closed parliament, banned political parties, nullified the Constitution and he assumed "supreme authority".
So for many in Swaziland, this day of Independence is perhaps a meaningless day. When we ask how this nominal "independence" truly benefits the people we wonder what this day actually symbolizes. Is it real?
With Independence, Ghana for example allowed for free education with free textbooks. In Swaziland, 41 years after Independence, this is still not the case.
One of the major questions around the time of decolonization was which path these "new countries" would choose - socialist or capitalist. Claude Ake, a Nigerian writer asked the same thing in 1969 but reminded the reader there is also a third way - fascism.
Recent news articles from Swaziland:
COSATU blockade is on today Sept 4, 2009
Mswati raids treasury for wives’ R50m (5-6million) spree Aug 23, 2009
'SA taxpayers footing Swazi shopping spree' Aug 22, 2009
Govt spends E63m ($9million) on cars in three months Aug 18, 2009
Ministers’ monthly salaries now E40 000 ($4500) Aug 17, 2009
'I am not bitter’, says Mario Masuku Aug 16, 2009
Mugabe’s govt requests loan from SD Aug 15, 2009
Truck-Stop Girls Aug 18, 2009
Japan’s E20m for Swazi health Aug 6, 2009
Third case of swine flu confirmed in SD Aug 4, 2009
For more news on Swaziland see:
http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/CURRENT+NEWS
Info Compiled by T Debly
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