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1. 5 000 march peacefully

BY NHLANHLA MATHUNJWA

MBABANE - The two-day mass stay away ended on a high note as more than 5000
marchers took part in the protest action yesterday.

This time around, the protest action was described as one of the most
successful in a long time as marchers came in their numbers.

The protesters, mainly workers, were brought into the city from all corners
of the country in numerous buses that started arriving as early as 7.30am.

The transport was arranged free of charge by the three unions that organised
the mass stay-away. These are the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions
(SFTU), Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) and the Swaziland
Federation of Labour (SFL).

After some form of rehearsal at the Coronation Park, where the workers had
earlier assembled, the workers sang 'Nkosi Sikelela I Africa', the South
African national anthem.

After being told as to how the march would proceed, the workers were told to
take off their hats and sing the national anthem. It was explained that the
anthem was their prayer, as they wanted to see a change in country. The same
anthem was sung when the protest action ended.

They then marched into the city centre just after 10am, where a number of
streets were closed for hours on end as the protesters demonstrated.

Gwamile street was temporarily cordoned off, and traffic was diverted to
alternative routes.

The marchers were ordered to use two streets, mainly the Gwamile and Dr.
Sishayi's streets.

Traffic officers had a tough time trying to control vehicles as the marchers
used both lanes on Gwamile Street. The march proceeded to the Dr. Sishayi's
Street. The first stop was next to the bus rank, where the workers were
addressed by their leaders, who included SFTU Secretary General Jan Sithole
and SNAT Vice President Musa Dlamini.

The leader took about an hour to deliver the speeches. As they spoke, some
protesters sat in the middle of the road.

The march proceeded onto the Dr. Sishayi Street, back to the Gwamile Street.
The next stop was near the SwaziBank. They spent about 30 minutes here
before moving on. The last stop was opposite the Ritz Café, where the
marchers spent an hour again before proceeding back to the Coronation Park.

Most of the workers felt that the protest action was a success, as most
workers seemed to be organised.

2.

Labour unions, political parties split during march

BY NHLANHLA MATHUNJWA

MBABANE - The labour unions and political parties literally split into two
during the march here yesterday, something that confused many on lookers.

The mass action had been organised by three labour unions the Swaziland
Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU), Swaziland National Association of
Teachers (SNAT) and the Swaziland Federation of Labour (SFL).

However, members of the People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) arrived
just after 9am to join the rest of the workers, together with political
activist Mphandlana Shongwe.

Marshals from the other three labour unions met with PUDEMO chiefs to try
and find a way of working together during the march. But soon after the
march started PUDEMO members did not join the rest of the workers as they
formed their own group.

They sang political songs at the tail end of the group of protesters.
Whenever the rest of the workers stopped and listened to their leaders, the
PUDEMO members did not stop as they continued to sing shouting thoughout.

While the rest of the workers made three stops, the PUDEMO members never
made even a single stop. Shongwe said as far as they were concerned, there
was just no division but this was just a way to show their grievances.

Meanwhile, PUDEMO Secretary General Sphasha Dlamini said the split was
largely a result of the fact that they felt the nature of the protest was
too mild, whereas PUDEMO believed in agitation.

"I was severally called upon by the union leaders to bring PUDEMO members to
order; but I think they did this out of a lack of understanding. Of course
there was no threat that the comrades would take their actions too far. We
just felt agitation was lacking and far below standard. Our action did not
disrupt proceedings," she said. SFTU Secretary General, Jan Sithole, said as
far as they were concerned, there was no division between PUDEMO and the
labour unions.

"Probably this was made by the fact that some of the workers could not hear
what was being said in front, thus they decided to continue with their
singing. There is nothing wrong. We are still one and we will continue
fighting the same battle," he said.



3. Teacher injured in stampede

BY PHUMLILE SIMELANE

MBABANE - A teacher was injured in a stampede and later hospitalised, as
about 5 000 protesters marched into the city centre yesterday.

The teacher, Nomthandazo Dlamini, of Mankayane, had come for the last lap of
the mass stay away, which began in Manzini on Wednesday.

The Bethlehem Mission Primary School teacher had her left arm fractured and
sustained head injuries as the thousands of workers set off from the
Coronation Park.

Some members of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) said
Dlamini was an active member of the organisation.

Thembi Dladla, who is a teacher at Emseni High School, said she had attended
a number of SNAT meetings with Dlamini.

"We are going with her to hospital by way of showing support to her. We hope
her injuries are not very serious. She is a soldier; we know she will fight
the injuries," said Dladla. It was later established that Dlamini was
subsequently transferred to the Mankayane Government Hospital so that she
could be closer home. She, however, opted to go to a private hospital.

"Her arm was plastered, but she also sustained some head injuries as well.
That is why she had to be admitted. She needs to be monitored on the head
injuries, but currently we cannot do that at the hospital. However, in a
private clinic she will get a head scan to assess the head injuries," said a
source at the Mbabane Government Hospital.

The source said the teacher's whole body was bruised, but hoped she would
recover, though she was uncertain as to the extent of the head injuries.

SNAT's Musa Dlamini said he was not aware of the incident, but would
investigate.

"I haven't got the report yet but I will investigate the matter. That was
not the purpose of the march, and this hurts us a lot," said Dlamini.

It was gathered that fellow marchers made sure Dlamini's possessions were
not stolen during the stampede.

The private clinic confirmed admitting her later in the day, but would not
give details of her injuries, except to say she was recuperating.

"All I can say is her condition is stable and her family came to check on
her," said a source.