Although the Commonwealth refers to Swaziland as a "unique democracy", take a look at what the people are saying!
Constitution does not allow political parties
BY INNOCENT MAPHALALA
Swazi Times Oct 12, 2006
MBABANE – Under the new constitutional dispensation, political parties are neither allowed to register nor take part in national elections.
http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/Constitution+does+not+allow+political+parties
Govt given seven - day ultimatum
BY NIMROD MABUZA
Swazi Times Oct 10, 2006
MBABANE – The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) has given government seven days to action a list of 11 concerns it has submitted and failure to do so, the organisation will peacefully approach the king.
http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/Govt+given+seven+day+ultimatum
NATIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL ASSEMBLY OCT 9, 2006
Re: Urgent Petition on issues of governance
Believing that those that govern do so on the basis of the genuine will and the mandate of the governed;
Aware that silence in the face of oppression, exploitation, servitude and corruption, makes the silent party equally guilty in the same manner as the perpetrator of injustice;
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Sunday, October 8, 2006
Oct8 Sd2006
This week king Mswati made the Swazi news a couple of times. He was paid a visit by two former Presidents of Southern Africa and no doubt they were telling him things must change!
Oct 5 Ex-Presidents meet king privately
It seems Mswati did not attend the funeral of Deputy Prime Minister Albert Shabangu but his official mouthpiece was there. The king's message was that Shabangu had not been "bewitched". Swaziland is a land of superstition and myth as this self-serving royal master gives the orders.
Oct 7 King speaks on DPM’s death
Yesterday the University of Swaziland held it's graduation ceremony. A honourary degree was conferred upon Mr Donald McKinnon, Secretary General of the Commonwealth Secretariat. The Swazi establishment believes this man needs recognition for helping them retain the power and wealth of Swaziland. Mr McKinnon is the fellow who talks as "right" as Mr Blair and Mr Bush! Yes, he thinks Swaziland is a unique democracy and in his corrupted mind, culture means poverty.
About this "honour" Bongani Masuku of Swaziland Solidarity Network writes:
Poor Swazi regime trying to massage and seek extended favours from their master whose duty is to protect the rotten child of the family, wonder for how long!!!!
McKinnon was absent from the ceremony but the king showed up and gave a talk about too many grads and not enough jobs. When we read his comments we think "Can anyone be so stupid?", but this is the leader Swaziland is currently stuck with. It can only get better when less selfish people have power in their nation.
Oct 8 King shows up early for Uniswa’s Grammy’s
It is interesting to note that the king who is always talking of Swazi culture wouldn't wear traditional attire to such a ceremony. Oh, but yes, the emperor has new clothes.
Oct 5 Ex-Presidents meet king privately
It seems Mswati did not attend the funeral of Deputy Prime Minister Albert Shabangu but his official mouthpiece was there. The king's message was that Shabangu had not been "bewitched". Swaziland is a land of superstition and myth as this self-serving royal master gives the orders.
Oct 7 King speaks on DPM’s death
Yesterday the University of Swaziland held it's graduation ceremony. A honourary degree was conferred upon Mr Donald McKinnon, Secretary General of the Commonwealth Secretariat. The Swazi establishment believes this man needs recognition for helping them retain the power and wealth of Swaziland. Mr McKinnon is the fellow who talks as "right" as Mr Blair and Mr Bush! Yes, he thinks Swaziland is a unique democracy and in his corrupted mind, culture means poverty.
About this "honour" Bongani Masuku of Swaziland Solidarity Network writes:
Poor Swazi regime trying to massage and seek extended favours from their master whose duty is to protect the rotten child of the family, wonder for how long!!!!
McKinnon was absent from the ceremony but the king showed up and gave a talk about too many grads and not enough jobs. When we read his comments we think "Can anyone be so stupid?", but this is the leader Swaziland is currently stuck with. It can only get better when less selfish people have power in their nation.
Oct 8 King shows up early for Uniswa’s Grammy’s
Sunday, October 1, 2006
Oct1 Sd2006
This week king Mswati was in the southern region of Swaziland attending yet one more Reed Dance. Seems he is forever wanting another girl as the kingdom falls deeper and deeper into crisis; hospitals are without medicines, grandmothers and little girls are being raped, workers are continually striking and students are delivering petitions to the government. The corruption and royal oppression have continued for far too long.
Oct 1 Chief Pharmacist paying company that does not exist
Oct 1 Corruption is rife at Health
Sept 30 Teacher accused of molesting 13 pupils
Sept 30 What happened to that E60 million?
Sept 30 Chief (25) wanted for raping a grandmother (56)
Sept 29 More than 200 deliver petition
Sept 28 Ngwane Teachers College closed
Sept 27 SFTU to join nurses in march
Sept 27 SCOT closes down
Sept 26 Three hundred students deliver petition to acting PS
Sept 26 When government can’t afford chalk ( Comment )
Sept 26 Lecturers engage in strike at Ngwane College
Sept 25 Drug shortage hits RFM hard
Sept 24 Youths march to protest over police brutality
As Swazi newspapers are weak examples of journalism, it is rare to find an article which looks critically at any topic. Letters to the editor are often too true to print and PUDEMO members are at risk to sign their own names. Read "Change is coming" by anonymous. Write to the editor as well.
Signe Hermann is a researcher from Denmark who spent time in Swaziland earlier this year. She will be heading to Canada in a few months and has plans to work with Swazi-Solidarity while doing graduate work in Moncton. Signe has written an essay entitled "On Swaziland, HIV/AIDS and epidemiology" which is linked below.
Oct 1 Chief Pharmacist paying company that does not exist
Oct 1 Corruption is rife at Health
Sept 30 Teacher accused of molesting 13 pupils
Sept 30 What happened to that E60 million?
Sept 30 Chief (25) wanted for raping a grandmother (56)
Sept 29 More than 200 deliver petition
Sept 28 Ngwane Teachers College closed
Sept 27 SFTU to join nurses in march
Sept 27 SCOT closes down
Sept 26 Three hundred students deliver petition to acting PS
Sept 26 When government can’t afford chalk ( Comment )
Sept 26 Lecturers engage in strike at Ngwane College
Sept 25 Drug shortage hits RFM hard
Sept 24 Youths march to protest over police brutality
As Swazi newspapers are weak examples of journalism, it is rare to find an article which looks critically at any topic. Letters to the editor are often too true to print and PUDEMO members are at risk to sign their own names. Read "Change is coming" by anonymous. Write to the editor as well.
Signe Hermann is a researcher from Denmark who spent time in Swaziland earlier this year. She will be heading to Canada in a few months and has plans to work with Swazi-Solidarity while doing graduate work in Moncton. Signe has written an essay entitled "On Swaziland, HIV/AIDS and epidemiology" which is linked below.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Sept24 Sd2006
Swaziland Solidarity Network Canada began its website in January of this year. To date, almost 1000 articles and documents have been submitted and readership is growing. A note of gratitude must go to Domza of Johannesburg for his encouragement and patience as this project began to germinate. To review our growth see:
http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/space/stats
(Click CSV to read numbers rather than graphs.)
For Canadians wanting to support democracy in Swaziland, the People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) has provided a foundation of details. PUDEMO members have written documents which enable the international community to understand the situation in Swaziland. In their struggle for democracy, PUDEMO realized internal change can be influenced by external factors and it become part of their comprehensive strategy to inform world organizations of their plight.
The attachment below is a result of the unwavering diligence of Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) of South Africa. By informing world organizations none can then plead ignorance. Communication from an individual or an organized collective can lead to an informed international community. The letter sent by SSN to the Commonwealth Human Rights Network immediately pushed Swaziland onto the agenda. Others may contribute in keeping it there.
Addresses can be found at http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/Write+Letters or
http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/Send+E-mail
To follow current events in Swaziland see
*********************************************************************
Below are e-mail communications between CHRN and SSN.
-----Original Message-----
From: Commonwealth Human Rights Network
[mailto:chrn@humanrightsinitiative.org]
Sent: 15 March 2006 08:22 AM
Subject: Reaction to the last email about Swaziland
Dear Mr. Masuku,
I am sure you will be interested to note that other organisations have read with concern our last email concerning the situation in Swaziland and have decided to take action as you can see from the email below which I am sending you. Also attached is the letter which has been sent to the Secretary General of the Commonwealth.
yours sincerely,
Commonwealth Human Rights Network Secretariat
-----Original Message-----
From: Fakun, Prem [mailto:prem.fakun@icftu.org]
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 9:38 PM
To: Canon Samual D John; Mr Davidson A. Kuyateh (Sierra Leone); Mr Jese
Sikivou (Fiji); Mr John Foster (Canada); Mr John Samuel; Mr John Samuel
(Thailand); Mr Warren Nyamugasira (Uganda); Mrs Bernice Sam (Ghana); Ms
Fatma Alloo (Tanzania); Ms Jo Howse (New Zealand); Ms Joan-Grant-Cummings (Jamaica); Ms Nelcia Robinson (T & T); Ms Nkoyo Toyo (Nigeria); Ms Rae Julian (New Zealand); Prof. Tim Shaw (UK); Cncil for Ed in the Commonwealth; ComHabitat - UK; Comm H Rhts Initiative; Comm Human Ecology Cncil - int; Comm Nurses Fed - UK; Comm Policy Studies Unit; Comm Youth Exchange Council; Int Inst of Ageing - UN; John Wood; Nrth South Institute - Canada; Royal Comm Society - UK; ACTU Australia; ACTU Australia; ACTU Int Officer; Annie Watson; Antigua; Antigua Trades and Labour Union (ATG); Bangladesh BJSD Zafrul Hasan GenSec; Barbados; Barbados - Joseph Goddard NUPW; Belize Nat TU Congress; Bermuda BTUC; Bermuda Industrial Union; Cameroon Conf of T Unions; Canada CLC; Cananda CLC; CLC Canada; Cooks Islands Workers Assc; Cyprus Workers' Confederation SEK; Dominica T Union; Dominica Waterfront & Allied W Union; Fiji TUC; Ghana - Samuel Kumitse ; Ghana TUC; Grenada TUC; Guyana TUC; HMS India; India INTUC Secretary; INTUC India; Jamaica CTU; Kenya COTU; Lesotho LECODU; Malawi Congress TU; Malaysia CUEPACS Ah Shah GenSec; Malaysia TUC; Malaysia TUC S SAHIR Pdt; Malta CMTU ; Malta GWU; Malta GWU Int Officer; Mauritius Fed of prog Unions; Mauritius MLC; Mauritius NTUC C/O FCSOU; Mauritius TUC; Mozambique OTM; N Zealand - Ross Wilson; N Zealand CTU; N Zealand CTU; Namibia NUNW; Nigeria NLC; Nigeria NLC GenSec; Nigeria NLC Int Sec; Nigeria NLC Pdt; ORGS AFRO; ORGS APRO; ORGS ILO; ORGS OATUU; ORGS PSI; ORGS SATUCC; Pakistan - Khurshid Ahmed; Pakistan - Muhammad Ahmed ; Pakistan - Muhammad Zahoor Ahwan; Papua N Guinea TUC; Samoa TUC; Seychelles SFWU; Sierra leone SLLC; Singapore NTUC Frederick Ho; Singapore SNTUC; South Africa; South Africa; South Africa; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Sri Lanka; Sri Lanka CFTU; Sri Lanka CWC; St Kits; St Lucia; St Vincent; swaziland SFTU;
Tanzania TUCTA; Tanzania ZATUC; Tonga Teachers; Trinidad & T; Trinidad &
T; Uganda; UK Int; UK TUC; UK TUC Int; UK TUC Int; Zambia - S Tembo;
Zambia ZCTU; Zimbabwe; Zimbabwe ZCTU; Zimbabwe ZCTU Pdt
Cc: Clare Doube; TUC-GBR - Tudor, Owen; TUC-GBR - Kothalawala, B.; SFTU
(SWZ); jsithole@yahoo.com; ICFTU-AFRO (KEN); Kuczkiewicz, Janek; Ryder,
Guy
Subject: FW: CHRN: Outrage by Organisations in Swaziland over new
Constitution
Dear Friends,
We would like to bring to your kind attention and for follow-up action as
well concerning the situation in Swaziland.
On this auspicious occasion of the Commonwealth Day, the ICFTU has had to
appeal to the Commonwealth Secretary General to support an ever growing call
for democratic changes in the country. Please see copy of the ICFTU letter
attached herewith. The CHRN statement below throws further light into the
need for the Commonwealth Secretariat to review its stand on Swaziland in
order to live up to the Commonwealth values.
It would be appreciated if your organisation can also send appeals to the
Commonwealth Secretary-General through fax no. 00 44 20 7930 0827 or email
info@commonwealth.int.
__________________________________________
Prem Fakun
Contact Person
Commonwealth Trade Union Group - CTUG
c/o ICFTU
Boulevard du Roi ALbert II no: 5 Bte 1
B - 1210 Bruxelles
Tel. ++32 (0) 2224 0211 Direct: ++32 (0) 22240223
Fax: ++32 (0) 2201 5815 - 2203 0756
http://www.icftu.org
http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/space/stats
(Click CSV to read numbers rather than graphs.)
For Canadians wanting to support democracy in Swaziland, the People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) has provided a foundation of details. PUDEMO members have written documents which enable the international community to understand the situation in Swaziland. In their struggle for democracy, PUDEMO realized internal change can be influenced by external factors and it become part of their comprehensive strategy to inform world organizations of their plight.
The attachment below is a result of the unwavering diligence of Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) of South Africa. By informing world organizations none can then plead ignorance. Communication from an individual or an organized collective can lead to an informed international community. The letter sent by SSN to the Commonwealth Human Rights Network immediately pushed Swaziland onto the agenda. Others may contribute in keeping it there.
Addresses can be found at http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/Write+Letters or
http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/Send+E-mail
To follow current events in Swaziland see
*********************************************************************
Below are e-mail communications between CHRN and SSN.
-----Original Message-----
From: Commonwealth Human Rights Network
[mailto:chrn@humanrightsinitiative.org]
Sent: 15 March 2006 08:22 AM
Subject: Reaction to the last email about Swaziland
Dear Mr. Masuku,
I am sure you will be interested to note that other organisations have read with concern our last email concerning the situation in Swaziland and have decided to take action as you can see from the email below which I am sending you. Also attached is the letter which has been sent to the Secretary General of the Commonwealth.
yours sincerely,
Commonwealth Human Rights Network Secretariat
-----Original Message-----
From: Fakun, Prem [mailto:prem.fakun@icftu.org]
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 9:38 PM
To: Canon Samual D John; Mr Davidson A. Kuyateh (Sierra Leone); Mr Jese
Sikivou (Fiji); Mr John Foster (Canada); Mr John Samuel; Mr John Samuel
(Thailand); Mr Warren Nyamugasira (Uganda); Mrs Bernice Sam (Ghana); Ms
Fatma Alloo (Tanzania); Ms Jo Howse (New Zealand); Ms Joan-Grant-Cummings (Jamaica); Ms Nelcia Robinson (T & T); Ms Nkoyo Toyo (Nigeria); Ms Rae Julian (New Zealand); Prof. Tim Shaw (UK); Cncil for Ed in the Commonwealth; ComHabitat - UK; Comm H Rhts Initiative; Comm Human Ecology Cncil - int; Comm Nurses Fed - UK; Comm Policy Studies Unit; Comm Youth Exchange Council; Int Inst of Ageing - UN; John Wood; Nrth South Institute - Canada; Royal Comm Society - UK; ACTU Australia; ACTU Australia; ACTU Int Officer; Annie Watson; Antigua; Antigua Trades and Labour Union (ATG); Bangladesh BJSD Zafrul Hasan GenSec; Barbados; Barbados - Joseph Goddard NUPW; Belize Nat TU Congress; Bermuda BTUC; Bermuda Industrial Union; Cameroon Conf of T Unions; Canada CLC; Cananda CLC; CLC Canada; Cooks Islands Workers Assc; Cyprus Workers' Confederation SEK; Dominica T Union; Dominica Waterfront & Allied W Union; Fiji TUC; Ghana - Samuel Kumitse ; Ghana TUC; Grenada TUC; Guyana TUC; HMS India; India INTUC Secretary; INTUC India; Jamaica CTU; Kenya COTU; Lesotho LECODU; Malawi Congress TU; Malaysia CUEPACS Ah Shah GenSec; Malaysia TUC; Malaysia TUC S SAHIR Pdt; Malta CMTU ; Malta GWU; Malta GWU Int Officer; Mauritius Fed of prog Unions; Mauritius MLC; Mauritius NTUC C/O FCSOU; Mauritius TUC; Mozambique OTM; N Zealand - Ross Wilson; N Zealand CTU; N Zealand CTU; Namibia NUNW; Nigeria NLC; Nigeria NLC GenSec; Nigeria NLC Int Sec; Nigeria NLC Pdt; ORGS AFRO; ORGS APRO; ORGS ILO; ORGS OATUU; ORGS PSI; ORGS SATUCC; Pakistan - Khurshid Ahmed; Pakistan - Muhammad Ahmed ; Pakistan - Muhammad Zahoor Ahwan; Papua N Guinea TUC; Samoa TUC; Seychelles SFWU; Sierra leone SLLC; Singapore NTUC Frederick Ho; Singapore SNTUC; South Africa; South Africa; South Africa; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Sri Lanka; Sri Lanka CFTU; Sri Lanka CWC; St Kits; St Lucia; St Vincent; swaziland SFTU;
Tanzania TUCTA; Tanzania ZATUC; Tonga Teachers; Trinidad & T; Trinidad &
T; Uganda; UK Int; UK TUC; UK TUC Int; UK TUC Int; Zambia - S Tembo;
Zambia ZCTU; Zimbabwe; Zimbabwe ZCTU; Zimbabwe ZCTU Pdt
Cc: Clare Doube; TUC-GBR - Tudor, Owen; TUC-GBR - Kothalawala, B.; SFTU
(SWZ); jsithole@yahoo.com; ICFTU-AFRO (KEN); Kuczkiewicz, Janek; Ryder,
Guy
Subject: FW: CHRN: Outrage by Organisations in Swaziland over new
Constitution
Dear Friends,
We would like to bring to your kind attention and for follow-up action as
well concerning the situation in Swaziland.
On this auspicious occasion of the Commonwealth Day, the ICFTU has had to
appeal to the Commonwealth Secretary General to support an ever growing call
for democratic changes in the country. Please see copy of the ICFTU letter
attached herewith. The CHRN statement below throws further light into the
need for the Commonwealth Secretariat to review its stand on Swaziland in
order to live up to the Commonwealth values.
It would be appreciated if your organisation can also send appeals to the
Commonwealth Secretary-General through fax no. 00 44 20 7930 0827 or email
info@commonwealth.int.
__________________________________________
Prem Fakun
Contact Person
Commonwealth Trade Union Group - CTUG
c/o ICFTU
Boulevard du Roi ALbert II no: 5 Bte 1
B - 1210 Bruxelles
Tel. ++32 (0) 2224 0211 Direct: ++32 (0) 22240223
Fax: ++32 (0) 2201 5815 - 2203 0756
http://www.icftu.org
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Sept17 Sd2006
Crisis in education, crisis in government:
The University of Swaziland threatened with closure
The People's United Democratic Movement of Swaziland
(PUDEMO)International Office
(Australia, Asian and the South Pacific Region)
E-mail: pudemo@yahoo.co.uk
September 13, 2006.
The People's United Democratic Movement deplores the threat to shut down the University of Swaziland if students do not return to class. This bullying approach to genuine student concerns has been the culture of this institution since the Liqoqo regime in the early 1980s. Successive leaders at the university have been socialised into this defective leadership culture in which threats and aggression rather than reason is a preferred model of administration. Consequently, the university has become a microcosm of the broader political system that is characterised by extreme levels of intolerance, incompetence and absence of public accountability.
One of the students' grievances is the late payment of scholarship allowances, which means that they are unable to purchase basic necessities such as food and stationery. This is a recurring issue that has a long history. University and government officials have shown no capacity and will to adequately address concerns by generations of university students about this matter. Instead, they resort to aggression and ridicule. On numerous occasions, the university administration has shut down the institution in an attempt to mute students' concerns. Armed police are regularly used to violently suppress students' peaceful protest.
When university students marched to the Ministry of Education and the Prime Minister's office on September 7 to deliver a petition, they were confronted by armed police. A violent skirmish ensued, leaving scores of injured students. Even the Police Commissioner, Edgar Hillary who is renowned for his violent aggression, commented that the police violence was uncalled for. Hillary must do more than this by instituting strict disciplinary actions against the senior officers who ordered the attack. It would be generally expected under a responsible system of government that an independent investigation into the violence would be conducted. However, Swaziland is a failing state with no political will and limited administrative competence to exercise the responsibilities of a responsible government.
In a functioning state with proper financial systems, it really is not difficult to ensure that students or any other group of citizens receive the payments to which they are entitled. After the state has allocated budget to tertiary scholarship, the funds must be quarantined and not used for any other purpose. This guarantees the orderly payment of tuition fees and student allowances. If errors are made in a functioning state, it is no big matter to apologise and fix the problem. Consider the situation in Swaziland, where the government is repeatedly unable to pay the allowances in a reasonably orderly fashion, presumably because it has squandered the money on new luxury cars for the king's wives. Then, when the students request that the problem be fixed, they are demonised and physically injured by the police, whose role is supposed to be to protect the public! It is like a man who drinks all the money for his family then beats up his wife and children when they ask him for food.
The Swazi government is stumbling from crisis to crisis and each time its corruption and incompetence is on display for all to see. This kind of governance is a problem for those people immediately affected by the crisis (in this case the students) but it is also a problem for all Swazis and its effects last for a long time after the crisis has been resolved. For example, this kind of incompetence has significant implications for how Swaziland is regarded by business and other countries. If we repeatedly present ourselves as a country that cannot manage basic financial transactions or peacefully resolve what is a very simple conflict, then we are continuing to build an image of Swaziland as a poor candidate for investment and economic growth. The collapse of the rule of law in 2002 was profoundly embarrassing and the many subsequent crises of poor governance can only further damage our image. If Swaziland continues to present itself as a national joke, we will find it difficult to attract quality economic growth. If we are seen as incompetent, investors will stay away. If we are perceived as oppressive as well as incompetent, we may find that some investors come to Swaziland but that we have attracted those who see the combination of incompetence and oppression as an opportunity to exploit the government and our people.
The Minister of Education's response to the scholarship matter has been pathetic. Her initial reaction was to rebuke and demonise the students as a "crowd" and "mob". This is a typical example of an incompetent politician who resorts to degradation rituals to cover up her incompetence. According to the Swazi News (09/09/06) report, the minister told the university Student Representative Council that "...as a ministry we are not here for playing...", but this is what exactly the ministry is doing - playing with the future of our education system. Constance Simelane is a national disgrace and has done so much damage to our education system.
In a functioning state, the issue of scholarship and particularly the payment of student allowances would not have come this far. However, in a failing state such as Swaziland where corruption and incompetence are the only visible features of governance, nothing gets fixed. Whilst the Minister has finally assured students that their allowances have been deposited into the bank, she does not have a long-term strategy to deal with this recurring problem. Instead, she will sit on her hands and wait for another class boycott and more injured Swazis before she again reacts to this long-standing concern with another short-term fix. This week students at the Swaziland College of Technology (SCOT) are also boycotting classes because of this problem.
Education is one of the most important sectors for national growth. It is irresponsible for any government to entrust responsibility of this sector to an incompetent minister. PUDEMO has earmarked education, health and the economy as our policy priorities. We strongly believe that a government that does not regard these sectors as priorities for public investment is a failed government. When we take over government, we will revolutionise these sectors by building efficient systems of service delivery and management. Our immediate goal in government is to put a stop to corrupt practices and lavish spending for the royal family. We believe that corruption and royal spending consume a significant percentage of national revenue. Putting a stop to this rot and recovering this revenue is the task to which we have committed ourselves in government.
The university class boycott must be understood within the broader political context which promotes a culture of incompetence and irresponsibility. It is a result of decades of leadership failure at state and institutional levels. Both the government and the university administration must take full responsibility for the recurring problem that led to the class boycott. It is time for the university leadership to make a significant culture shift by adopting new ways of dealing with student grievances. As it has been demonstrated from time to time, bullying tactics have not resolved the problem. The university desperately needs a new generation of leadership with fresh insights into tertiary administration. We deplore the continued dominance of the university administration by a tired old guard which has become a total liability to the future of this institution.
Signed:
Dr. Jabulane Matsebula
PUDEMO Representative
Australia, Asia and the South Pacific Region
To follow current events in Swaziland see
http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/
To read the South Africa Contact newsletter see
The University of Swaziland threatened with closure
The People's United Democratic Movement of Swaziland
(PUDEMO)International Office
(Australia, Asian and the South Pacific Region)
E-mail: pudemo@yahoo.co.uk
September 13, 2006.
The People's United Democratic Movement deplores the threat to shut down the University of Swaziland if students do not return to class. This bullying approach to genuine student concerns has been the culture of this institution since the Liqoqo regime in the early 1980s. Successive leaders at the university have been socialised into this defective leadership culture in which threats and aggression rather than reason is a preferred model of administration. Consequently, the university has become a microcosm of the broader political system that is characterised by extreme levels of intolerance, incompetence and absence of public accountability.
One of the students' grievances is the late payment of scholarship allowances, which means that they are unable to purchase basic necessities such as food and stationery. This is a recurring issue that has a long history. University and government officials have shown no capacity and will to adequately address concerns by generations of university students about this matter. Instead, they resort to aggression and ridicule. On numerous occasions, the university administration has shut down the institution in an attempt to mute students' concerns. Armed police are regularly used to violently suppress students' peaceful protest.
When university students marched to the Ministry of Education and the Prime Minister's office on September 7 to deliver a petition, they were confronted by armed police. A violent skirmish ensued, leaving scores of injured students. Even the Police Commissioner, Edgar Hillary who is renowned for his violent aggression, commented that the police violence was uncalled for. Hillary must do more than this by instituting strict disciplinary actions against the senior officers who ordered the attack. It would be generally expected under a responsible system of government that an independent investigation into the violence would be conducted. However, Swaziland is a failing state with no political will and limited administrative competence to exercise the responsibilities of a responsible government.
In a functioning state with proper financial systems, it really is not difficult to ensure that students or any other group of citizens receive the payments to which they are entitled. After the state has allocated budget to tertiary scholarship, the funds must be quarantined and not used for any other purpose. This guarantees the orderly payment of tuition fees and student allowances. If errors are made in a functioning state, it is no big matter to apologise and fix the problem. Consider the situation in Swaziland, where the government is repeatedly unable to pay the allowances in a reasonably orderly fashion, presumably because it has squandered the money on new luxury cars for the king's wives. Then, when the students request that the problem be fixed, they are demonised and physically injured by the police, whose role is supposed to be to protect the public! It is like a man who drinks all the money for his family then beats up his wife and children when they ask him for food.
The Swazi government is stumbling from crisis to crisis and each time its corruption and incompetence is on display for all to see. This kind of governance is a problem for those people immediately affected by the crisis (in this case the students) but it is also a problem for all Swazis and its effects last for a long time after the crisis has been resolved. For example, this kind of incompetence has significant implications for how Swaziland is regarded by business and other countries. If we repeatedly present ourselves as a country that cannot manage basic financial transactions or peacefully resolve what is a very simple conflict, then we are continuing to build an image of Swaziland as a poor candidate for investment and economic growth. The collapse of the rule of law in 2002 was profoundly embarrassing and the many subsequent crises of poor governance can only further damage our image. If Swaziland continues to present itself as a national joke, we will find it difficult to attract quality economic growth. If we are seen as incompetent, investors will stay away. If we are perceived as oppressive as well as incompetent, we may find that some investors come to Swaziland but that we have attracted those who see the combination of incompetence and oppression as an opportunity to exploit the government and our people.
The Minister of Education's response to the scholarship matter has been pathetic. Her initial reaction was to rebuke and demonise the students as a "crowd" and "mob". This is a typical example of an incompetent politician who resorts to degradation rituals to cover up her incompetence. According to the Swazi News (09/09/06) report, the minister told the university Student Representative Council that "...as a ministry we are not here for playing...", but this is what exactly the ministry is doing - playing with the future of our education system. Constance Simelane is a national disgrace and has done so much damage to our education system.
In a functioning state, the issue of scholarship and particularly the payment of student allowances would not have come this far. However, in a failing state such as Swaziland where corruption and incompetence are the only visible features of governance, nothing gets fixed. Whilst the Minister has finally assured students that their allowances have been deposited into the bank, she does not have a long-term strategy to deal with this recurring problem. Instead, she will sit on her hands and wait for another class boycott and more injured Swazis before she again reacts to this long-standing concern with another short-term fix. This week students at the Swaziland College of Technology (SCOT) are also boycotting classes because of this problem.
Education is one of the most important sectors for national growth. It is irresponsible for any government to entrust responsibility of this sector to an incompetent minister. PUDEMO has earmarked education, health and the economy as our policy priorities. We strongly believe that a government that does not regard these sectors as priorities for public investment is a failed government. When we take over government, we will revolutionise these sectors by building efficient systems of service delivery and management. Our immediate goal in government is to put a stop to corrupt practices and lavish spending for the royal family. We believe that corruption and royal spending consume a significant percentage of national revenue. Putting a stop to this rot and recovering this revenue is the task to which we have committed ourselves in government.
The university class boycott must be understood within the broader political context which promotes a culture of incompetence and irresponsibility. It is a result of decades of leadership failure at state and institutional levels. Both the government and the university administration must take full responsibility for the recurring problem that led to the class boycott. It is time for the university leadership to make a significant culture shift by adopting new ways of dealing with student grievances. As it has been demonstrated from time to time, bullying tactics have not resolved the problem. The university desperately needs a new generation of leadership with fresh insights into tertiary administration. We deplore the continued dominance of the university administration by a tired old guard which has become a total liability to the future of this institution.
Signed:
Dr. Jabulane Matsebula
PUDEMO Representative
Australia, Asia and the South Pacific Region
To follow current events in Swaziland see
http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/
To read the South Africa Contact newsletter see
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Sept10 Sd2006
An Old Wives' Tale
Utsiteni, Make?
In former days, when royalty wanted to find a hangman in Swaziland a caring mother chose drastic action. If she wanted to protect her son from becoming a henchman, she would dip her son's right hand into very hot porridge and slightly burn her own child so that when the scouts came looking her son would be using his left-hand. These wise mothers knew the superstitious would never choose a left-handed boy for the task. Perhaps the mother of Khethokwakhe Ndlangamandla never heard this tale.
Utsiteni, Make?
In former days, when royalty wanted to find a hangman in Swaziland a caring mother chose drastic action. If she wanted to protect her son from becoming a henchman, she would dip her son's right hand into very hot porridge and slightly burn her own child so that when the scouts came looking her son would be using his left-hand. These wise mothers knew the superstitious would never choose a left-handed boy for the task. Perhaps the mother of Khethokwakhe Ndlangamandla never heard this tale.
Khethokwakhe Ndlangamandla
This week as the king was ogling the bare-chested teenagers, PUDEMO member Sicelo Vilane won a clear victory in court. This case was once again pointing to the notorious Khethokwakhe Ndlangamandla.
Sept 7 Cops ordered to stop harassing activist
On Thursday Sept 7 students from the University of Swaziland (UNISWA) went to the capital, Mbabane, to deliver a petition concerning tuition fees and scholarships. Last year, on the exact date, students had also marched to the Ministry of Education where they were greeted with water cannons and tear gas. This year they again witnessed the repression of the state.
University Students March Sept 7, 2006
Unfortunately, the Commonwealth believes Swaziland is a "unique democracy". Director of Foreign Affairs, Mr M Neuhaus, wrote a letter to a Canadian politician stating political parties are allowed in Mswati's kingdom and freedom of assembly is permitted. Please continue writing e-mail to his office pointing to the facts.
Mr Matthew Neuhaus
Director of Political Affairs
m.neuhaus@commonwealth.int
Copy to:
Mr Don McKinnon
The Commonwealth Secretary-General
info@commonwealth.int
Ms Rabab Fatima
Adviser & Head of Human Rights Unit
r.fatima@commonwealth.int
Monday, September 4, 2006
Sept4 Sd2006
Culture versus Exploitation
If history is simply his/story, where shall we find her story?
Last week the king called all the flowers of the nation. In traditional Swazi culture people are divided into regiments according to age and the Imbali, the flowers, are teen aged girls. Each year king Mswati looks over his 14 to 18 year old subjects and chooses yet one more female to give birth to his off-spring, the privileged ones.
The 'Flowers' from all over the nation gather to sing and dance - orphaned daughters who take care of their siblings, girls who enter the sex trade due to poverty, educated girls, and uneducated girls who can not attend school because of compulsory fees. A family can be fined if they do not send their daughters to the Reed Dance.
The girls may catch a glimpse of a princess or two wearing designer sun glasses and one inch artificial finger nails. It's hard to imagine them eating a traditional Swazi meal of pap and lakusha (porridge and greens) using their hands! This is not Swazi culture - it is aristocratic greed.
Umhlanga 2006 - Reed Dance
http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/Umhlanga+2006
After the dance and festivities, the girls all go home and continue to be the most vulnerable in their society. Children and youth are often abused in Swaziland and reading through daily papers indicates how girls are perceived. Rape is reported on a regular basis, unbearable stories of fathers raping daughters, uncles raping nieces, men raping children and step-brothers raping their step-sisters. There are organizations which seek to help these victims of abuse yet the government will not provide a safe society for young girls and women.
When basic rights are neglected how can a culture of exploitation be praised?
To follow current events in Swaziland see
http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/
If history is simply his/story, where shall we find her story?
Last week the king called all the flowers of the nation. In traditional Swazi culture people are divided into regiments according to age and the Imbali, the flowers, are teen aged girls. Each year king Mswati looks over his 14 to 18 year old subjects and chooses yet one more female to give birth to his off-spring, the privileged ones.
The 'Flowers' from all over the nation gather to sing and dance - orphaned daughters who take care of their siblings, girls who enter the sex trade due to poverty, educated girls, and uneducated girls who can not attend school because of compulsory fees. A family can be fined if they do not send their daughters to the Reed Dance.
The girls may catch a glimpse of a princess or two wearing designer sun glasses and one inch artificial finger nails. It's hard to imagine them eating a traditional Swazi meal of pap and lakusha (porridge and greens) using their hands! This is not Swazi culture - it is aristocratic greed.
Umhlanga 2006 - Reed Dance
http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/Umhlanga+2006
After the dance and festivities, the girls all go home and continue to be the most vulnerable in their society. Children and youth are often abused in Swaziland and reading through daily papers indicates how girls are perceived. Rape is reported on a regular basis, unbearable stories of fathers raping daughters, uncles raping nieces, men raping children and step-brothers raping their step-sisters. There are organizations which seek to help these victims of abuse yet the government will not provide a safe society for young girls and women.
When basic rights are neglected how can a culture of exploitation be praised?
To follow current events in Swaziland see
http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/
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