Swaziland@Newsletter 74
Published by Africa Contact (Denmark)

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__________________________

Dear readers

In the first edition of Ulibambe Lingashoni, the quarterly newsletter
of the Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), there is a poem.
Its title is the question: What makes a Democracy? Is the building of
a few good roads enough, a genteel façade of shops, the entertaining
of visiting dignitaries?

The building of a few good roads
does not make a democracy
if most still scrabble inside wheezing vehicles
held together by rust and hope

A genteel façade of shops to buy cheese
and designer sun glasses
does not make a democracy
if when peeled back the hovels appear
and the poor cower in fear
to be made invisible

The entertaining of visiting dignitaries
in salubrious thatched lodges
and endless power point presentations
showing progress
to fuel the lies they use
to hide their own
willing acceptance of his patronage
does not make a democracy

The imprisoning of democrats
banning and burning their words
does not make a democracy

BUT ONE DAY IT WILL


These are the questions. The answer is simple: it is really only the
people itself that can answer it.

This text would be a perfect contribution to the coming 40/40 project
celebrating both the anniversary of independence and the royal
birthday. There is even 40 000 Emalangeni for the best 40/40 song
composer in the competition. But since the chairman is a royal prince,
it is doubtful if this song can win. But, in a way, it will still
most probably win in the end.

Otherwise, the content of this newsletter is news on Swaziland and its
people. Turbulent times ahead is the title on one of the articles. And
that is perhaps quite true.

Yours sincerely
Patrick Mac Manus
Editor
Swaziland@Newsletter
__________________________

1. Declaration of Zimbabwean and Swaziland Civil Society delegates at
a COSATU-convened Solidarity Conference, 10-11 August 2008.

2. Boycott of Swaziland and Zimbabwe: COSATU. SAPA 12 August 2008.

3. COSATU vows to bar Mugabe and Mswati from summit. Munyaradzi
Mutizwa, The Zimbabwe Times. August 11, 2008.

4. Swazi condemns rebel group: The Umbane People's Liberation Army
11 August 2008. News 24 (South Africa).

5. 40 000 Emalangeni for best 40/40 song composer. The Swazi Observer.
August 12, 2008.

6. Opening address by Zwelinzima Vavi, COSATU General Secretary, to
the Zimbabwe and Swaziland Solidarity Conference, 10 August 2008

7. Turbulent economic times ahead! Hlengiwe Ndlovu. The Swazi
Observer. August 11, 2008.
___________________________

1. Declaration of Zimbabwean and Swaziland Civil Society delegates at
a COSATU-convened Solidarity Conference, 10-11 August 2008.

Swaziland

We are cognisant of Swaziland having the oldest state of emergency in
the region, with all public institutions and decision-making the
monopoly and sole preserve of the royal family, with no democratic
elections, systemic and institutionalised corruption and state terror
against political and worker activists, founded on the basis of the
1973 king?s decree that concentrated all power in the hands of the
monarchy. The years of convenient silence on Swaziland have promoted a
culture of impunity and disregard for the fundamentals of democracy in
the whole region.

We further note the deepening political and socio-economic crisis, as
well as the protracted political impasse which has not been resolved
by the new constitution promulgated in 2005, which itself is a product
of an illegitimate process and royal imposition, Swaziland civil
society congregated under the banner of the Swaziland United
Democratic Front affirms the following demands:

1. Multi Party democratic Elections: The continued denial of
political space, particularly the ban on multiparty politics and the
right to participate in public institutions of decision-making,
remains a denial of a core tenet of democracy and flies in the face of
the SADC Mauritius Principles governing elections.

2. The Unbanning of Political Parties: The continued banning of
political parties which was initially authored by the King?s
proclamation to the Nation of 1973 has since been validated by the new
constitution promulgated in 2005.

3. The return of Political Exiles: Although continually denied by
the state, several Swazis remain in exile for fear of persecution by
the state.

4. The evolution of a truly representative national dialogue or
national convention which will result in a truly democratic
constitution which will be a true representation of the people of
Swaziland: The current constitution remains illegitimate as it was
unilaterally driven without the critical input of Swazi stakeholders.

5. End to the cancerous corruption and greed: The royal family has
entrenched a deep culture of cancerous corruption and greed in Swazi
society, with the state institutions permanently ingrained in
pervasive corruption that eats away the social fibre of Swazi society.
A huge part of the budget is corroded by perpetual corruption and
greed, which is led by the ruling minority, particularly in a country
where almost 70% live on international food aid and which is almost a
world leader in suffering the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS

We also note and welcome recent positive developments on the side of
the oppressed and struggling people of Swaziland. Most notable is the
formation of Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF), which brings
together all progressive forces and further unites all the people in
struggle for democracy and social change.

We further note the joint celebration of May Day by all worker
organisations and trade unions in the country, for the first time in
the history of the country, sending a clear statement that the time
for the people to act together has come and that the people will
resist all attempts at disuniting them.

To that end the following goals of the Swazi struggle remain the key guide:

- Creation of a new and democratic constitution that derives its
legitimacy from the will of the people.

- Building and institutionalisation of the culture of democracy, the
rule of law and accountability.

- Democratisation of traditional institutions to serve the needs of
the people and respond accordingly to the desire of the people to be
free and prosperous.

- Full recognition of the rights and responsibilities of civil
society, and its independent right to exist and act freely from any
form of state influence and control, including royal patronage.

These require that we ensure that we:

- Work to raise of the profile of the Swazi struggle consistently.

- Actively mobilise resources for the democratic forces to build their
capacity.

- Build a solidarity movement throughout the world to popularize the struggle.

- Mobilise the Diaspora to participate in the struggle.

The Mswati regime rules without the mandate and will of the people. If
in Swaziland, Mswati?s claim to natural and divine right to rule is
the automatic ticket to permanent self-imposition of his interests, in
Zimbabwe, Mugabe?s liberation credentials and wild claims give him the
right to the same status.

These false assumptions elevate these two regimes to levels above
scrutiny and accountability, not only in their own countries or to
their own people, but to the world community of civilised conduct.
This is why institutions of global and regional governance, have not
acted with the required amount of decisiveness expected of them in
confronting these rogues for such a long time.
_________________________


2. Boycott of Swaziland and Zimbabwe: COSATU. SAPA 12 August 2008.

A week-long boycott of goods destined for Zimbabwe and Swaziland
will be launched next month throughout the Southern African region,
Cosatu general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said on Tuesday.

"We commit ourselves to the creation of an effective momentum for
sustained boycotts of goods destined for the two countries, throughout
the region, with the trade union movement taking an active lead," said
Vavi addressing the media in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

He said Cosatu was planning a one-week long boycott in September
during which all workers would refuse to touch goods destined for these
countries, in a bid to put pressure on their leaders.

"All workers must refuse to serve President Robert Mugabe and King
Mswati the Third, as well as their close associates and collaborators,
anywhere in the region, so as to ensure that they indeed feel the heat
of isolation."

Vavi said specific dates for the boycott would be announced at a
later stage, but Cosatu was hoping to hold it near Swaziland's 40/40
independence celebration, planned for September, which marks the 40th
anniversary of Swaziland's independence from Great Britain.

He would check the government's response after a week. If nothing
transpired, Cosatu might extend the boycott to a second week.

This was one of the resolutions taken at the Zimbabwe and Swaziland
"Solidarity Conference" which ended in Johannesburg on Monday.

The conference also called for a halt to Zimbabwe's political
violence which followed the March 29 elections.

"All the structures which have been perpetrating and directing
attacks must be immediately dismantled and international monitors
should be invited to Zimbabwe to assist."

Another call was for a lift of the ban on aid groups and civil
society organisations, so that they could attend to victims of the
humanitarian disaster.

The conference declared there was a need for multi-party democratic
elections in Swaziland.

"The continued denial of political space, particularly the ban on
multiparty politics and the right to participate in public institutions
of decision making, remains a denial of a core tenet of democracy."

__________________________

3. COSATU vows to bar Mugabe and Mswati from summit. Munyaradzi
Mutizwa, The Zimbabwe Times. August 11, 2008.

South Africa labour federation Cosatu on Monday vowed it will stage
demonstrations to prevent Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and King
Mswati III of Swaziland from attending the three-day SADC Heads of
State summit which kicks off in Midrand, South Africa, on Friday.

Speaking at the Zimbabwe-Swaziland Solidarity conference held in
Johannesburg Cosatu secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi said Mugabe and
Mswati should not be invited to the summit. He said if the two leaders
were invited COSATU would make things as difficult as possible in
South Africa and along the borders.

- Our message is clear Zimbabwe and Swaziland cannot continue to be
islands of dictatorship surrounded by a sea of democracy in our
region, Vavi said. We demand freedom and democracy for citizens of
both countries. In the meantime we do not recognise Mugabe as the
President of Zimbabwe. We insist that he should not be invited to the
SADC heads of state summit that takes place in South Africa on 15-17
August, 2008.

- We shall accordingly protest his presence here and we call on COSATU
members in Gauteng, as well as all progressive civil society
formations and other freedom lovers to join us to register our disgust
at his presence.

- We want a total isolation of Mugabe and his cronies and for the
freedom of workers in those countries we will fight until the last
drop of blood in our bodies is dried up.

Vavi said human rights abuses in Zimbabwe had scaled new heights as
the beatings of ordinary people, the burning down of their property,
the killings and torture continue as though the current negotiations
meant nothing to the illegal Mugabe regime.

Cosatu said the ongoing power-sharing talks between Zanu-PF and
opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) should not recognize
Mugabes June 27 re-election but should instead recognise the will
expressed by Zimbabweans in the March 29 election when MDC leader
Morgan Tsvangirai won hands down.

- The June elections were illegitimate and therefore the outcome must
not be recognised. Any settlement that does not recognise the will of
the people as expressed in the 29 March elections will not be
acceptable. It will represent an elite accord that can never enjoy
legitimacy in the eyes of the ordinary people of Zimbabwe, Vavi said.
He said any government to be formed should be an interim government
whose main task should be limited to preparing for a fresh round of
elections that will strictly adhere to the SADC elections protocols.

Mugabe won the June 27 runoff election after Tsvangirai pulled out of
the race few days before, citing violence, intimidation and vote
rigging.

The Zimbabwe Times: http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com

_________________________

4. Swazi condemns rebel group: The Umbane People's Liberation Army
11 August 2008. News 24 (South Africa).

Mbabane - Swaziland's government on Monday condemned a group that has
claimed responsibility for explosions at bridges ahead of
parliamentary elections next month in Africa's last absolute monarchy.

"If I can use the Bible, these are Philistines who are hell-bent on
destroying our most envied peace," government press secretary Percy
Simelane said.

"Swazis should be wary of such people because they want to destroy the
infrastructure that Swazis invested so dearly with their hard earned
money."

The Umbane People's Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the two
blasts last week in Big Bend and Mpaka in the country's east, causing
damage, but no injuries.

"This is a warning to the government to stop the undemocratic
elections scheduled for September 19," the group said in a statement.

"This sham election defies all treaties on genuine democracy."

The group demands the ban of political parties be lifted and has also
released a document claiming responsibility for a spate of bombings
that took place in Swaziland some 10 years ago.

Political organisations are banned in Swaziland and the reigning
monarch, King Mswati, appoints a prime minister every five years.
Candidates for elections can only stand as individuals.

_________________________________________

5. 40 000 Emalangeni for best 40/40 song composer. The Swazi Observer.
August 12, 2008.

The choir to compose the best song for the 40/40 celebration will win
itself E40 000, which was pledged by Swaziland National Council of
Arts and Culture Chairman Bongani Mamba.

Mamba made the pledge during the Standard Bank Choral Music
Championships recently.

During the event, the prince encouraged music composers, those in
choral, to take part in this challenge.

Council's Acting CEO, Vusi Nkambule said the competition would be held
in two weeks' time depending on what the executive agrees upon.

"The choirs do not have much time as the celebrations are next month.
There is not much time left. We are planning on having the competition
in two weeks," Nkambule said.

He said the choirs would help them secure professional judges for the
competition, who will choose the best composition.

The country will be celebrating 40 years of independence together with
His Majesty King Mswati III's 40th Birthday anniversary in September,
known as the 40/40 project.

Nkambule said they expected all the choirs in the country to take part
in the competition.

_________________________

6. Opening address by Zwelinzima Vavi, COSATU General Secretary, to
the Zimbabwe and Swaziland Solidarity Conference, 10 August 2008

Swaziland got its independence from Britain in 1968 under King
Sobhuza. However, this was merely a transfer of power from the British
colonial masters to a neo-colonial monarchy, through which the British
sought to re-establish its domination and exploitation.

The nature of this monarchy was defined the King's 1973 proclamation
to the nation:

"Now, therefore I, Sobhuza 11, king of Swaziland, hereby declare
that, in collaboration with my cabinet ministers and supported by the
whole nation, I have assumed supreme power in the kingdom of Swaziland
and that all legislative, executive and judicial powers is now vested
in myself and shall, for the meantime be exercised in collaboration
with my cabinet ministers.

"I further declare that to ensure the continued maintenance of
peace, order and good government, my armed forces have been posted to
all strategic places and have taken charge of all government places
and all public services. All political parties and similar bodies that
cultivate and bring about disturbances and ill-feelings within the
nation are hereby dissolved and prohibited."

This decree laid the basis for the current political architecture,
where politics are the exclusive preserve of the ruling royal elite.
In 1978 they introduced a system of called tinkhundla, which sought to
entrench the hegemony of royal supremacy and deepen the semi-feudal
and neo-colonial character of Swazi society. It fragmented Swazis into
competing localities called tinkhundla in the name of "unique and
home-grown democracy", which is directly in conflict with the
universal principles of democracy.

The world has conveniently remained silent about Swaziland and allowed
the ruling royal regime to get away with murder. The world remains
silent, after a regime has been allowed to enforce a state of
emergency for more than 34 years, despite Amnesty International
raising, on several occasions, the issue of extreme police brutality
in Swaziland, in its fact-finding mission's damning report on the
Swazi security forces.

Why does the Commonwealth and Britain apply double standards when it
comes to Swaziland, in contrast to their hysterical attacks on Mugabe?
Why does it not apply smart sanctions against the stubborn regime for
refusing to unban political parties and political activities in general?

Why does the Commonwealth support and heap praises on a constitution
that entrenches the power of the ruling aristocracy and affirm the
state of emergency, yet unequivocally demand clear guidelines for
democracy elsewhere?

Poor people are on the receiving end of the regime's viciousness, with
more and more Swazis being forced to cross the borders into South
Africa in search of jobs, yet the country is well endowed with
abundant natural resources that have become a preserve of a tiny
ruling minority.

Finally, the following conditions obtain as regards the royal 'elections':
Political parties remain banned, with the exception of the royal
broederbond, which is the only legal political force that has monopoly
over the entire political life of our country as an organised force.

The new constitution of the monarchy, itself a direct off-shoot of the
king's decree of 1973, bans political parties and criminalises all
forms of political activity and the basic rights to associate and
organise, not to mention demonstrations and marches.

Parliament is nothing but a rubber stamp and stooge of royal power. It
has no power to determine anything that is not in the interests of the
royal family and the monarchy, aside the fact that it is largely
comprised of royalists and their apologists.

The media and judiciary are extensions and auxiliaries of the royal
establishment, independence is a luxury they cannot afford.

Political activists are regularly detained for their peaceful
political activities, which are in anyway, illegal even according to
the new constitution proclaimed by the king recently

King Mswati is not welcome in South Africa. He is not a head of
state. There has never been any democratic election in Swaziland where
he was elected. Political parties remain banned. Free political
activity is not allowed. Basic freedoms such as a freedom of speech
and association are brutally denied?.
__________________________________

7. Turbulent economic times ahead! Hlengiwe Ndlovu. The Swazi
Observer. August 11, 2008.

South African Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni has advised his
colleagues, Central Bank governors in the SADC region, to discard
their conservative nature and begin to actively educate the populace
about the current economic scenario.

He said this should be done to ensure that the public is aware of the
current economic crisis, especially characterised by high inflation,
low economic growth and high unemployment and other vices entails.

Speaking at a dinner organised by African Alliance on Friday at the
convention centre, the evidently wizened Mboweni warned that the
Central Bank of Swaziland should especially take the prerogative of
providing civic education to the people on the general economic status
quo and further explain the implications of such in a manner that even
the ordinary person at grassroot level has a clear understanding of
such issues.

In this regard, he observed that Central Banks were all along
perceived as being secretive institutions whose mandate and operations
were concealed from the public domain. But Mboweni warned that such
taciturn behaviour should stop, adding that Central Banks should take
an active role in disseminating information, providing alerts where
need be as well as educating members of the public about the general
economics and the implications these have in their lives.

"It will get worse before it gets any better and it is only fair to
warn and educate the people about the economics of the country and
tell them exactly what this situation implicates for the future," said
Mboweni. He was, however, quick to add that the global economic crisis
would improve in the future, but placed emphasis on the fact that it
would only get worse before it got any better.

In his presentation, Mboweni provided an overview on how South Africa
is dealing with the economic crisis, especially through the applied
use of the inflation targeting policy.

He told the audience that any central banker would have to pursue low
inflation and that the alternative instruments did not work, adding
that the advantage of targeting was that it was transparent and
ensured central bankers could be held accountable.
Mboweni expressed concern about inflation, saying all must do their
bit to bring inflation back within the target range "in the medium
term".

He did, however, emphasise that inflation targeting was South African
government policy, adding that calls to abandon inflation targeting
were heard when interest rates were high, not when they were low.

In South Africa there had been suggestions that alternative
instruments be used to control inflation. But cash reserve
requirements would force banks to hold reserves, which would lead to
higher borrowing costs because the banks would recoup the cost of
holding the reserves from customers. The credit ceilings that had been
in use many years ago did not work. And open market operations were a
way of implementing inflation targeting, not an alternative instrument.

In his rousing presentation, governor Mboweni called for the creation
of fiscal consolidation and the calculated move towards the
stabilisation of financial markets.

He said governments should desist from deceiving themselves by
thinking that they can grow their economies on ever expanding budget
deficits.

"Operating on a budget deficit means that you are increasing debts
into the future and this is wrong," he said, adding that Finance
Ministers should ensure that governments collect revenue more than
losing out as a result of the uncanny habit of operating on budget
deficits.

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