June25 Sd2006

EQUAL RIGHTS AND JUSTICE

There are two English daily newspapers in Swaziland, Swazi
Times and Swazi Observer. The latter, having royal interests,
is not much more than a cheerleader for the monarchy. There
is never any authentic journalism, simply a retelling of
events. The Times is slightly better but seems to prefer
stories of a sensational rather than analytical nature. These
papers continually describe the current situation yet rarely
indicate how this state of being has come to exist.

To look at either paper on-line go to www.swazi.com

Last week newspapers reported that the king had returned
to Swaziland from his two week trip to Taiwan and Thailand.
They also noted he was surprised to learn about the nurses
overtime-pay issue. Nurses in the country have been waiting
for their overtime-payments for more than 3 years! Seems
Mswati doesn't even read his own paper.

What both papers failed to report was that a Danish delegation
which recently visited the Kingdom to assess the country's
political climate has urged the international community
to impose sanctions on Swaziland!
Thankfully African News Dimension covered the story.
www.andnetwork.com

Article Link
http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/International+community+urged+to+impose+sanctions+on+Swaziland

Please write a letter to Mr Peter MacKay requesting that
Canada and the Commonwealth recognize this crisis in
Swaziland and impose sanctions. Additionally, these
letters could be copied to "Letters to the Editor" of any
local papers. Thanks.

Mr Peter MacKay
Minister of Foreign Affairs
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
(postage unnecessary)

June18 Sd2006

EQUAL RIGHTS AND JUSTICE

June 16 marked the 30^th anniversary of the Soweto Students Uprising of 1976.
Mandela and his companions had been imprisoned on Robben Island since 1964
when students marched against the education system of the apartheid state.
The youth wanted to learn English not Afrikaans, they wanted to decide their
future. At that time brilliant young people, like Steve Biko, wrote about
self-consciousness and self-determination. He was murdered yet his words live
on and on.

30 years later, Swazi youth are calling for an inclusive system, self-determination
and a more equitable economic system. The Swaziland Youth Congress
(SWAYOCO) and PUDEMO have for more than 20 years rejected the royal
exclusivity and promoted equal rights and justice.

A few articles from last week

While king Mswati was jet-setting to Thailand and Taiwan his mother was
handing out blankets to health centers. Such is health care in the kingdom!

http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/King+arrives+safely+in+Taiwan

http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/Philani+donates+to+13+health+institutions

MORMONS donate toothbrushes.

“Blessed are those who worry about teeth when there is no food”. This verse is
taken from the Book of Hypocrisy, Chapter 1 Verse 1.

If Christians are given to such generous acts, please lead me to the atheist!

http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/US+company+pledges+3+000+toothbrushes

The Prime Minister wishes to keep the people away - it's security he needs
while consumed by greed. He is afraid to move into his luxurious new place.

http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/PM+rejects+E8+million+residence

Bongani Masuku, secretary-general of SSN, has written an article
analysing the HIV/Aids crisis in Swaziland. His perspective shows the
need for a political as well as humanitarian response.
http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/HIV+and+AIDS+crisis+as+a+political+question+in+Swaziland

June11 Sd2006

King Mswati III left for the UN about 2 weeks ago carrying with him millions of emalengini for the week extravaganza. Last September, when he also visited the UN in New York City, he was reported to have withdrawn E19 million - about $4 million Canadian dollars for that week of pleasure. His trips cost his subjects dearly.

The daily news out of Swaziland is tragic:

May 31 - Swaziland has only 92000 workers out of a population of 1.1 million.

http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/SD+has+only+92000+workers?token=abebf7cd5155a52ccc092e332522f791

June 6 - The Swazi Observer (the King's paper) reported King brings good news from the UN summit. Mswati asked the Global Fund for more financial assistance!

http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/King+brings+good+news+from+UN+Summit?token=85595fa259756ae974668507b1114216

June 6 - The same paper admits 69 percent live below the poverty line of

E125 ($25 Can) per month.

http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/69+percent+live+below+poverty+line?token=ad40042ccac9c11193c2aaadc927ef8f

June 10 - Mswati left the country for a visit to Thailand and Taiwan. He'll be joined by 30 dancers (female) in Taiwan. Government will spend close to E500 000 on air tickets, accommodation and allowances for Eswatini Cultural Dance group. Mswati's allowance wasn't mentioned.

With money planned for a new international airport, a new parliament building and more palaces for the future wives one wonders how the Global Fund can tolerate the requests of this corrupted king. The photo of Mswati greeting Kofi Annan (sorry I'm unable to attach it) seems to depict a stern expression on the latter's face. Perhaps it is with disgust that hands are shaken at the UN.

Swazi activist Bongani Masuku has written an extremely comprehensive paper on globalization and the urgent transformation which is necessary within the Swazi economy.
http://amadlandawonye.wikispaces.com/Global+economy%2C+apartheid+plan%2C+and+Swazi+economy%2C+Masuku?token=bfe5272bb932ea7a0fdf621c78b2235e

More information can be found at http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/?token=6b53f550163832b259d02277934c9155

Also see SAK - South Africa Kontact of Denmark

If you wish to subscribe to their newsletter send a note to

SAK-Swazinewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.co.uk
Issues can be read at

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/SAK-Swazinewsletter
See also the newly established photo archive.

May30 Sd2006

Today on CBC's Maritime Noon, Elizabeth May spoke of being in

a "democracy crisis" when we've become so comfortable with the

status quo. Her discussion centered on environmental activism yet

the themes of engagement and effective citizenry are far reaching.

May talked about her work with the federal government and stated one

letter going to Ottawa counts as the "voice of thousands". From her

experience, one letter represented between 5,000 and 10,000 people!

It is important to note that letters need not be elaborate, they can simply

state that you are concerned about an issue. May also said form letters

and e-mail were less effective.

If several of us write to the Minister of Foreign Affairs more attention can

be drawn to the crisis in Swaziland. Please write to

Mr Peter MacKay
Minister of Foreign Affairs
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
(postage unnecessary)

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On April 12, South Africans protested in solidarity with the People's

United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO). They blocked 5 border

crossings and drew more attention to the "special kind of democracy"

in Swaziland. Tonight PUDEMO has announced that more of this type

of action is to occur.

http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/Opposition+announces+another+border+blockade?token=72e814ee03a7b66fd29ee3accfbb49ac

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On Saturday king Mswati left Sd heading for the UN in New York. His

companions are his latest fiance, a 17 year old girl he chose last year,

and a newly appointed Minister of Health.

"King Mswati III is scheduled to participate in five roundtable meetings

and five technical discussions on the summit agenda, with the hope of

sharing experiences in HIV/AIDS prevention work with the other countries

and contributing to the summit's ultimate political declaration.

However, analysts have questioned what King Mswati III is going to

present before the rest of the world alleging that he is turning a blind

eye to the seriousness of the pandemic ravishing his nation. The

analysts cited the decrease of the ministry of Health and Social

Welfare budget as evidence that King Mswati III's government still

fails to prioritise on improving better health for its people.

“HIV/AIDS is seriously ravishing Swaziland such that many homes

are now child headed. Government is doing little if any to assist

these children, some as young as 6 years are forced to look after

their fellow brothers and sisters. What does the King and government

assist these orphans... instead lucrative money is diverted to the

King's birthdays to benefit royalty,” said the analysts."

http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/King+Mswati+III+to+address+UN+summit+on+HIV+AIDS?token=b394760e521121ff8c0f88e212e0e41a

May23 Sd2006

Royalty attempts a defense of the undemocratic tinkhundla system
(May 20th link below)

Prince David, selected by his brother king Mswati III, tries to defend Swaziland's
elitist government while ignoring simple facts:

The king spends lavishly and members of the royal family lap up the gravy while two thirds of the population live on less than US $1 per day.

Lovely palaces are built for Mswati and his numerous wives but the kingdom's unemployment is about 69%.

UNICEF estimates 70 - 80,000 orphans in Mswati's kingdom and a quarter of "his subjects" require food aid.

David attempts to justify a horridly corrupted form of governance where avaricious royal rights supersede basic human rights. The prince would have us believe that this culture of poverty and oppression is acceptable!

In solidarity with the people of Swaziland, write, fax or e-mail Allan Rock, our Ambassador to the UN. Ask where Canada and the UN stand on the question of Swaziland. Additionally, as Mswati III is scheduled to visit the UN on June 1st, encourage the ambassador to have a frank discussion with the king. It is essential that Canada engages in dialogue to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law.


Ambassador to the UN

Ambassador Allan Rock
Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations
One Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza
885 Second Avenue, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10017
USA

Fax: 1-212-848-1195

e-mail: prmny@international.gc.ca
(If you can, send e-mail daily until you receive a reply.)

*************************************************************

Prince David defends the undemocratic Tinkhundla system

http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/Prince+David+defends+the+undemocratic+Tinkhundla+system?token=4558ef78e23c695a919ee7b69eb9fc1f


For current news from Swaziland see http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com


If you do not wish to receive these Swazi updates simply reply, thanks.

May14 Sd2006

As we mark Mother's Day in Canada I find myself

remembering Indlovukazi - the Swazi queen mother.

She is the "elephant" who rules with her son, the "lion".

The elephant traditionally symbolizes wisdom and

strength but even tradition is over-shadowed by

absurdity and avarice.

Marula is a fruit that grows readily in Swaziland and

about 2 years ago Mswati's mother decided a marula

business would be profitable. "Swazi Secrets" now

produces marula massage oil, soaps, etc. As a result,

when you visit a nursery in Sd the employees will tell

you they are not permitted to sell marula trees because

the royals have got into the business.

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http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com

is opening but is unable to edit; therefore, new article pages

have been made but not posted. We're waiting for the help

desk to correct the error and if you have problems send a

few words to help@wikispaces.com .

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Here is a sample letter that you may modify and send to

your MLA as well as MP. As this is a federal matter,

request that they write to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

on your behalf.

Since Mswati plans to visit the UN in New York on June 1st,

a letter should also be sent to our Ambassador at the UN,

Allan Rock, asking where Canada and the UN stand regarding

the current unstable condition in Swaziland.

Ongoing Political Repression in Swaziland Demands a Clear Response

http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/Ongoing+Political+Repression+in+Swaziland+Demands+a+Clear+Response?token=162d4100ffaa7f16635b1309486adc75

MLA addresses (New Brunswick)

http://app.infoaa.7700.gnb.ca/gnb/pub/ListMLA1.asp

MP addresses http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainMPsCompleteList.aspx?TimePeriod=Current&Language=E

Ambassador to UN - Allan Rock

e-mail: prmny@international.gc.ca

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1991 Harare Commonwealth Declaration begins chapter 9 with:

Having reaffirmed the principles to which the Commonwealth

is committed, and reviewed the problems and challenges

which the world, and the Commonwealth as part of it, face,

we pledge the Commonwealth and our countries to work with

renewed vigour, concentrating especially in the following areas:

*the protection and promotion of the fundamental political values of the Commonwealth:

*democracy, democratic processes and institutions which reflect national circumstances, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, just and honest government;

*fundamental human rights, including equal rights and opportunities for all citizens regardless of race, colour, creed or political belief;

To read the complete Declaration

http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/Harare+Commonwealth+Declaration+1991?token=e8e866535e4220e27ddcf6d8dd3e09ea

May7 Sd2006

Canada celebrates Labour Day in September but the majority of the world marks May 1st as "Workers Day". Monday at May Day celebrations in Swaziland Jan Sitole, leader if the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) called for the king to "step aside".

This week also saw a pro-democracy Swazi delegation travel to Denmark to discuss their situation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Danish parliamentarians. Britain and the Netherlands have publicly called for the unbanning of political parties yet the Canadian government seems complacent.

The International Crisis Group based in the Netherlands issued a letter from Nairobi and a journalist in Zimbabwe writes about Mswati's heresy.

If you have a few minutes please write to Ms Scrimshaw pret@dfait-maeci.gc.ca and Mr Charron vincent.charron@international.gc.ca of the Canadian High Commission for Swaziland. Encourage more dialogue with the pro-democracy groups from Swaziland. Thanks.

Links:

Step aside - Jan pleads with king.

http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/Step+aside+-Jan+pleads+with+king

Swaziland delegation to Europe. http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/Swaziland+delegation+to+Europe

Beyond Royal Rule And Naked Reed Dances.
http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/Beyond+Royal+Rule+And+Naked+Reed+Dances

No Holds Barred: King Mswati's Heresy

http://swazilandsolidaritynetworkcanada.wikispaces.com/King+Mswati+s+Heresy