Aug-Sept,2008

BREAKING THE CHAINS…………………
Cde “Victim”


September 3rd and 4th shall go down in the history as the beginning of the end. Never had so many people united in purpose and action taken to the streets to demand one thing– DEMOCRACY. We salute the newly born giant-Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) for its brave attempt to break the chains of oppression and repression. We salute the spirit within which this ‘baby’ is being brought up. Viva SUDF Viva.

UNITY! This is a very scarce and elusive commodity in politics, yet it is the only arable tool which without it, any political dream becomes a mirage at a distant horizon at a sea troubled by poverty. PUDEMO extends great appreciation to all the people who took part in this effect to break the chains of oppression. We salute the leadership of the Front in making this memorable beginning a possibility. We envy the spirit of the 96 mass action campaign and we salute the unions who have settled the disputes with their mother body SFTU. Comrades, all of you did the organization good and the fruits of this unity are starting to e seen and they are yet to be enjoyed.

During these two days, it became clear how far people thirst for democracy can be. It became clear that people can never be intimidated by guns and water cannons. It also became clear that people united can never be defeated. Those who are able to read the political barometer, the writings are on the wall that the progressives forces are advancing and there is no stopping them. It is worth to note that God and history is on our side for the oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever- “the people shall govern”! reads the road sign to the promised land where elections shall mean something to a worker. Where a worker's vote means something not only to him but also to those who can’t vote, those are the sick, young and too old. These is a group that can neither be bought by a loaf of bread or E 50-00, but these will be these too vulnerable.

THE ELECTIONS: the Brian Bosman circus came and left. The memories of elephants and lions riding horses are still fresh in our minds. We saw the tamest of all animals. From those who voted drunk and those that got cash, the damage has been done. PUDEMO wish to congratulate once more all those progressive worker who did not take part in this circus. Comrades, you were true soldiers of the liberation struggle of Swaziland. Comrades, we salute you for refusing to be made rubber stamps. We salute you for refusing to clap hands and watch a game you should be playing. This elections will not improve your welfare. You will continue fighting the inflation alone when they will be getting paid handsomely.

THE ALTERNATIVE: join PUDEMO if you are to have a political home. For those who still have not joined the party, make means to do so, so that you will be counted in the heroes role call when the war is over. People should not be surprised when top on the list there is Vavi because we sleep, eat and walk-40years of independence we are still dependent.




PUDEMO President Cde Mario Masuku called the editors of the Times on Sunday after he saw the grotesque manner in which they splashed photos of MJ and Jack.

Of course, none of the ten minute phone conversation appeared in the press in Monday's edition. So here is a written version of that conversation.

“OUTRAGEOUS, INSENSITIVE AND DISRESPECT FOR THE NEXT OF KIN”.

Cde Mario Masuku
PUDEMO President
Oct 5, 2008


PUDEMO acknowledges and respects the freedom of expression and media independence in our society. We however condemn in the strongest terms the decision by the Times Sunday to publish with impunity and arrogance the pictures of those citizens who suffered and passed on following a bomb explosion at Lozitha on the 20th September 2008. reasons submitted by the editor, Mbongeni Mbingo, were reactionary and centered around deep seated ’master’s voice’ attitude of local media, echoed by MISA.

The photos were taken, no doubt, during the postmortem inspection-by the state’s security forces– in the family’s and relatives’ confidence. This trust was, however, misplaced and the photos were handed too the media for obscene reasons reminiscent of a brutish coward in the form of the royalist security institution.

The objective was clearly to scare, threaten and intimidate the close relatives in particular and the populace in general. Yes, only the likes of former minister Lutfo Dlamini distance themselves from the victims and family members. The majority of citizens has taken courage and regard MJ and Jack as martyrs who fell for a just cause. No amount of state-media-security collaboration will deter the people from their commitment to their emancipation and final freedom.

PUDEMO believes such media houses have to be boycotted, even if it means no news has to be read– after the Times and its sister papers are state mouthpieces.

We take this opportunity to once more sympathize with all the relatives, and parents in particular, at this sad moment when the state media have opened already healing wounds.

To the regime and its surrogates, including the Mbingos, MJ and Jack were not ’hotheads’, but to us they are heroes, martyrs who have only gone past. Their spears will be picked up by other comrades and take the struggle to an even higher phase.


Trying to understand………..
WHAT IS CAPITALISM?
Cde “Marcus Garvey”

The type of society we live in today is properly called Capitalism. Earlier ways of organizing society still exist in some parts of the globe, but capitalism is now dominant across the world. It is a system of society based on the class ownership of the means of production and distribution in which wealth is produced by those who can only live by selling their ability to work for wages and salaries. The wealth they produce is sold on the market with a view to profit by the wealth owners. Capitalism, therefore is a class society with the privileged few living off the labour of the exploited many. It exists equally in Cuba and China as it does in Africa and United States.

The basic contradiction of capitalism is between social production and class ownership. The actual work of producing the wealth is done by the co-operative labour of millions , while the means of production and the products belong to a minority section of society only, the capitalists. It is this contradiction that causes modern social problems since it means that production cannot be carried on to meet human needs. Consequently, where such needs conflict with profit-making our needs must come second.

Human needs are only met under capitalism to the extent that they can be paid for. This is no problem to the rich but it is for the working class who have to work for wages and salaries. The working class is composed of the men and women who, excluded from the ownership of the means of living, are forced by economic necessity to sell their mental and physical energies to the owning class of capitalists. For the purpose of definition workers are not distinguished by the way they dress, talk, where they live, or the type of job they do, but how they get their living. Anybody who has to work for wages or a salary to live is a worker.

The wages system is a form of rationing. It restricts a person’s consumption to what is needed to keep the worker in efficient working order. It means the workers are generally deprived of the best that is available in food, clothing, housing, entertainment, travel and the like. This is made all the worse because there must, on the basis of modern technology, be plenty of the best for everyone. It is made worse still because it is the working class who produce all the wealth, the best that the rich enjoy as well as the utility items the themselves consume.

Because capitalism is based on the class ownership of the means of living and the accompanying exploitation of the workers, depriving them the fruits of their labour, there is an irreconcilable conflict of interest between the working class. This is the class struggle, which goes on all the time over the ownership of the wealth of society.

Capitalism is the cause of the social problems that afflict the working class today. Under capitalism the workers are, in the strictest sense, poor– that is, they lack the means to afford the best that is available in society. For instance, people often talk of there being a housing problem. There is no reason why good houses for all should not be built. The materials exist, and so do building workers and architects. What stands in the way? The simple fact is that there is not a sizeable market for good houses since most people cannot afford to pay for them, and never will because of the restrictions of the wages system. So what is called the housing problem is really but an aspect of the poverty problem or, what is the same thing– since it is the other side of the coin– the class monopoly of the means of production.

Housing is just one aspect of the poverty problem. The same applies to the other necessities of life, like clothing, food, education, clean water and health. Here again, in a world of potential plenty the consumption of the workers is restricted by the size of their wage packets and salary cheques.

One thing should be understood about capitalism above all else-it can never be made to run in the interests of the working class. It is based on working class poverty and exploitation and can only work in the interests of the privileged owning class. It can be summed up in the sentence “ capitalism cannot be reformed” ( at least not run in the interests of the workers). Grasp this and you can quickly see the futility of tinkering with capitalism and trying to tackle each problem on its own.

To solve the problems we must abolish capitalism and replace it with socialism. This will involve a social revolution, changing the basis of society from class to common ownership of the means of living. When society owns and democratically controls the means of life, then men and women can begin to organize production to satisfy their needs and desires. Production solely for use can replace the anti-social principle of production for profit. Exploitation will be ended and a world of abundance made possible.


25 years of progress

THE PEOPLES UNITED DEMOCRATIC
MOVEMENT
The Swaziland Solidarity Network of Canada


For the past 25 years, members of the Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) have brought new life to the democratic aspirations of the Swazi nation.

Awakening the hearts and minds of the nation to the possibilities of equality, justice and freedom of expression, PUDEMO has consistently challenged the misleading notion that ordinary Swazis do not wish or deserve to voice their own political will.

We, the Swaziland Solidarity Network of Canada, support PUDEMO in their struggle to align the political structure of Swaziland with the democratic principles of its people. Given the high degree of personal risk faced by pro-democracy advocates in Swaziland, the unwavering resolve and courage of all members of PUDEMO is admired and the diligence of the executive is respected.

As a constituents of a vast international support network, we will observe and report on the hardships that PUDEMO members face as a consequence of their commitment to building a more fair, prosperous and truly democratic nation. At the same time, we will continue to admonish those who perpetrate the oppressive measures taken against PUDEMO members, their families and their communities.

The important role of the Swazi media to publicly support the pro-democracy movement is pivotal to Swaziland’s political emancipation. It is a medium through which the country can be wholly transformed. We thank the Nation Magazine for having the courage to print the contentious issues that consistently challenge the status quo. To the other media outlets, we call on you to brazenly and objectively tell the story of Swazi

And objectively tell the story of Swaziland’s political struggles– it is the responsibility you carry on behalf of the citizens of your country. The world is listening.

To the citizens of Swaziland, do what you can to support the efforts of PUDEMO. Join your comrades in building a national political foundation that is based on universal freedoms and democratic principles. Help dispel the myth that your political freedom is a betrayal of you cultural heritage. You can honor your culture AND define your own terms for the political institutions of your country. It should be not treasonous to do both.

With a synthesis of your commitment, PUDEMO’s leadership, and support from the progressive community in Swaziland and throughout the world, the imminent arrival of a new day in Swaziland is inevitable.

The Swaziland Solidarity Network of Canada.



CONSUMER WATCH- “Quality Products for Quality Life”

Issued by The Consumer-Commuter Association of Swaziland (CCAS)


Whenever a consumer wants to purchase any products or services from a trader, he/she expects two basic things from that particular product; quality and quantity of those products or services before partying with his/her hard earned cash. Infact this are some of the basic rights we as consumers are entitled to.

As we live in a capitalist world, the interest of the traders is profit and more profit, regardless of how we as consumers (mostly working class) feel after purchasing their products. A clear example is the recent sub-standard milk which has been sold to consumers in China, claiming the lives of innocent kids.

It was due to this reason that the Consumers– Commuters Association of Swaziland (CCAS) was launched on the at the Tums George Hotel in Manzini by concerned consumers who said enough is enough, lets unite and protect ourselves from this capitalist monsters.


BRIEF CCAS CHARACTER

CCAS is a non-political, non– governmental, non-profit making, independent organization comprising all the citizens of Swaziland seeking to protect and promote the living standards of our society, through ensuring that the consumer voice is heard. It seeks to ensure that all commodities in our society are within the acceptable international standards. Furthermore, CCAS wants to ensure that commuters are well represented in all Public Transport sectors.

Mission

Our mission is to safeguard the consumers– commuters’ rights and educate and represent the consumers in all local and international relevant bodies dealing with consumer– commuter matters.

It shall:
· Monitor the effective implementation of legislations and regulations regarding consumer-commuter protection and rights.
· Provide information on Swazi law regarding consumer– commuter protection in accordance with the relevant laws.
· Provide information on consumers rights and responsibilities
· Promote consumer education through Consumers– Commuters Education Programme
· Handle Complaints by consumers-commuters on faulty, damaged or unsatisfactory quality of products and services.
· Provide a reading library on consumer– commuter publications
· Provide a quarterly magazine, which to its members shall be free of charge and other informative brochures.
· Provide consumer related services, lectures, etc
· Conduct comparative market surveys aimed at providing vital information and insight to consumers-commuters.


CCAS WAY FORWARD

Structural Composition

The components or divisions of CCAS, forming the overall operational framework of the organization with components parts forming a whole are as follows:
· Quality and Standards Division: this unit shall mainly concentrate in the process of ensuring that all commodities in our country meets the required national and international standards and quality. It shall work closely with all the governmental, non-governmental structures responsible for maintaining quality and standards within and outside the country.
· Price Control and Monitoring Unit: commodities like fuel, bread, public service charges, etc, that are controlled by the government shall be monitored by this unit to ensure that fair pricing is observed. This unit shall represent consumers-commuters in all meetings where pricing is discussed.
· Literacy and Research Division: shall develop a data pool from where to base analysis and develop educational pamphlets, workshops, sessions or classes for consumers-commuters. This is meant to expand the analytical horizons of consumers-commuters and make them aware of their rights. A quarterly magazine shall be printed and distributed. Executive members shall take part in numerous radio and television programmes on issues concerning rights and problems.
· Consumer– Commuter Complaints and Advice Division: the Association shall run a complaints and advice service at its office. Consumers-commuters shall either phone or visit the office to file a complain for the usual range of problems ranging from faulty goods exchanges, bad workmanship, contracts, misleading adverts, etc. It shall deal with complains directly or if need arises in conjunction with governmental departments and standards authority.

As we move forward with our struggle for democracy, it is our duty to democratize all the institutions within our society. Putting profit before the lives of the working class is one of the viruses engulfing the developing world that needs closer scrutiny by all peace loving citizens of our country and the world at large.

THE FRENCH SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE ARE HERE!!!!...21st century imperialism?

Cde “Marcus Garvey”

“The Eagle has Landed" is a fictitious novel I read when I was still young, about Hitler’s SS soldiers secretly sent to Britain during the Second World War.

Today it is no longer a fictitious nor a covert operation, but real– Sarkozy’s army has landed in our country presumably to train the King’s Umbutfo Defence Force to maintain the tinkhundla autocratic rule. One thing for certain , the French soldiers are here because they believe they are capable of training the Umbutfo Force to obliterate the People’s Movement. The past events are a testimony to the above, the painful and questionable demise of comrades MJ and Jack, the formation of an Intelligence and National Security Departments to report directly to the king, all fits together like a glove.

But why France?

It is surprising to see a country like France promoting death to the working class. We have expected such ‘invasion’ from former apartheid agents, like Dr Basson– the Doctor of Death since they no longer fit to the free society of South Africa or at least the Taiwanese “friends”, not from a country like France, that we believe abide by the UN Declaration on Human Rights as a developed nation.

Looking back at our history, South of the Sahara, France was never part of the “dogs of war” in our region. There is a strong possibility that today France wants to extend her area of influence to the SADC region through maintaining a “capitalist friendship” with Swaziland. Anyway, any which way, the working class of France shall rise up and question such attack to the working class of another country eager to liberate themselves from oppression.

“ONLY TIME WILL TELL”

OBITUARY
Of the late MUSA “MJ” DLAMINI


Musa John “MJ” Dlamini was born on the 11th March 1971 at Ka-Langa in the Lubombo district.

He started his primary education at Khalakahle Primary School and proceeded to do his secondary at Langa Secondary School and his high school at Mhlosheni High School. He later enrolled with the University of Swaziland for a B.A. La degree and latter LLB degree.

Musa John “MJ” Dlamini was born on the 11th March 1971 at Ka-Langa in the Lubombo district.

He started his primary education at Khalakahle Primary School and proceeded to do his secondary at Langa Secondary School and his high school at Mhlosheni High School. He later enrolled with the University of Swaziland for a B.A. La degree and latter LLB degree.

Whilst at the university he served in the 1992/1993, 1994/1995 SRC. After completing his studies at the university he served his articles at Dladla and Partners in Nhlangano. He sat for the bar exam and was admitted as an attorney of the High Court. He went into partnership with Kush, Dlamini and Partners. In 2005, he left Swaziland to pursue political activities. At the time of his cal he had ventured into business and was a coordinator for Lakeside Holdings.

He was a member of PUDEMO. He was a founding member of Lawyers for Human Rights, Swaziland Solidarity Network and the NCA.

He is survived by both parents, his wife, brother and sister, two sons and three daughters.

May his soul rest in eternal

May-June 2008

EDITORIAL NOTE

May I once again register my revolutionary greetings to all comrades. The struggle still continues.

Comrades, we have just gone through the sad loss of Cde Africa Magongo. It must be noted that the messages that we passed on to the Hhelehhele community during the funeral have registered a lasting effect– as people have now clearly realized that the elections process is unjust an undemocratic!

Structures and individual comrades have a task to take the Anti– elections campaign and the demand for multi party democracy to the doorsteps of the Tinkhundla regime until it gives in. comrades, fight with all that you have and with all your might and cover every inch of the country.

Everywhere we go, we must be able to explain to the people why we say the elections organized under the Tinkhundla System of Governance are undemocratic and hence must not dirty their hands by participating.

Historic developments are taking place in political landscape of the country. On the weekend of 31st May/01st June the Swaziland United democratic Front (SUDF) was brought to life. We must remember comrades that this is one of the resolutions taken by PUDEMO in its 6th Congress held in Matsulu in December, 2006. this marks yet another milestone in the struggle for multi-party democracy in Swaziland as spearheaded by PUDEMO.

The escalating food and fuel prices in the country has made life even more difficult for over 70% of our people, both the unemployed and employed sectors. It was inevitable that a watchdog autonomous, non– governmental organization,

The Consumer-Commuter Association of Swaziland has just recently been formed. Consumers surely do need to be defended.

We resolve to make this year’s election process unworkable must be carried out until we achieve multi party democracy!! LUKHETFO PHANSI NGEMBUSO WETINKHUNDLA MASILWENTE LUNGAPHUMELELI !!

AMANDLA!!


PUDEMO DAY

It was on the month of July 1983, when fine soldiers of our country met at the banks of Umbuluzi river, to form a Political Movement which was to be vehicle to take us to freedom. Today, 25 years later the Peoples’ United Democratic Movement is the only political party that has consistently declared the Tinkhundla elections a mockery to democracy, and has continuously boycotted them.

Join the 25 years celebration of the Peoples’ Party at the Manzini Freedom Square on the 6th July.


WORKERS UNITED SHALL NEVER BE DEFEATED!!
By Cde “Victim”

The coming together of workers to commemorate the Workers’ Day as there is nothing to celebrate was a huge and big benefit to the Peoples’ Movement. We have always hoped and tried very hard for this eventuality to take place and we salute our cadres in the labour movements who have worked tirelessly to unite the toiling workers of our country.

‘A Blow to the Enemy”

This historic event was a killer-punch to the enemy. For a long time Tinkhundla had kept the working class of this country divided. PUDEMO salute this battle of Unity as a decisive step towards the total emancipation of the workers in this country. PUDEMO also wish to point out that the time for the ‘divide and rule” ideology has elapsed.

“Workers’ Resolutions”

The Workers’ Resolution at the Mayday is even welcomed by the Peoples' Movement. For over 24years we have fought side by side with the suffering workers. We salute the gallant leaders of the workers for realizing at last that the political destiny of this land cannot be decided by the “selection’ of yes men. At last two workers have stood up in one voice to say ‘enough is enough’. The entire progressive people and the world believe that this is the right direction for the workers to have taken. Viva workers unity Viva.


“Way Forward for Workers”

Karl Marx’s ‘Workers of the world Unite Declaration’ must be a guideline for workers . The realization on collective bargaining must be strengthened. The spirit shown at Simunye where workers and politicians shared the same stage should be encouraged. The cal for multiparty dispensation in this country must be made even louder. The workers of this land must not be deceived by ’peace-meal’ democracy; they must continue singing the freedom song; ’Ayancikaza ayesaba emagwala!! Freedom is their birthright but gross exploitation is their daily experience’ (Mzwakhe Mbuli). The workers of this country should continue to rise up and demand multiparty now!!

“ Political Parties and Workers”

For those workers who still do not have a political home, its about time they find one. We are in difficult times where without a political home you are lost. Politics of today demands political education which is done by political parties according to party lines not NGO’s. in PUDEMO we encourage workers to join political party of their choice. When we actually gain our liberation it will be political parties that will contest power– Viva Basebenti Viva.

PUDEMO has always used the “ One Worker One Union” slogan.


JEALOUSNESS, GREEDNESS AND SELFISHNESS:
Is it Natural to Mankind?
By Cde “Marcus Garvey”

Introduction

Today mankind is experiencing the most severe and painful era in history. Humans are notoriously self-centered that building a society working on the principles of collectivism is the thing of the past, even though nature has proven that human beings need to live in a collective manner to survive the hardships of nature, in fact it is our only raft on this stormy sea of life. In this article my intention is to find out if jealousness, greediness and selfishness is natural to mankind. It is not my intention to oppose what theists believe in, as a humanist I find it difficult to interpret the core meaning of the three without including some religious doctrines. Understanding life as lived and experienced from the humanist perspective, that is outside Eden, is not an easy task. We need to dig deep in our history and bring forth all the socio-economic formations from the very beginning of our understanding of the history of mankind and nature at large.

It is really unfortunate that we usually confuse responsibility with jealousy.

Common Moral Decencies

Are there any general ethical principles that apply to human beings, no matter what the society?

For every mankind, there are certain principles by which he lives, designating to the most basic norms by which he lives, he cherishes and considers most fundamental in his life. A principled person has moral principle, which he is willing to stand on, and support when need be, and perhaps, if he has courage, to even fight for.

According to Professor Paul Kurtz in his book; Affirmations; Joyful and Creative Exuberance, the common moral decencies grow out of long evolutionary struggle for survival, they have their roots in generic human needs. Below is a partial list of the decencies:

· Personal Integrity– telling the truth, not lying or being deceitful.
· Trustworthiness-being reliable and responsible.
· Benevolence-avoiding doing harm to other persons or their property. It means that we have an obligation to be beneficent, kind, sympathetic, and compassionate.


· Fairness– showing gratitude and appreciation for those who are deserving of it. Holding people accountable for their deeds, insisting that those who wrong others do not escape completely or go unpunished.

These common moral decencies provide parameters by which to guide conduct. Morally developed human beings accept these principles and attempt to live by them because they understand that some personal moral sacrifices may be necessary to conflict in living and working together.

Morality Outside Religions

Can humankind be morally responsible without belief in God? This is a question I ask myself whenever I try to harmonize religion with what is taking place in our societies. History has shown that belief in God is no guarantee of moral virtue and that it is false to assume that the only “saints” are those wedded to churches and temples and only “ sinners” are those who live outside them.

What the Bible says?

In the course of time Cain brought to God an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel for his part brought of the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions. And god had regard for Abel and his offerings, but Cain and his offering he had no regard.

We are given no explanation for God favoring Abel, but Cain reacted angrily, taking Abel into the field and killing him. And the ensuing scene as follows:

God: Where is your brother Abel?
Cain: I do not know, am I my brother’s keeper?
God: what have you done? Listen, your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground!!...... When you till the ground, it will no longer yield to you its strength; you will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.
Cain: My punishment is greater than I can bear!... I shall be a fugitive and wanderer on earth, and anyone who meets me may kill me.
God: Not so! Whoever kills Cain will suffer a sevenfold vengeance.

And God put a mark on Cain, so that no one who came upon him would kill him. Then Cain went away from the presence of God, and settled in Nod, east of Eden. (Gen 4). Where did all the other people who might kill Cain originated from?

From the above Biblical verses, it is clear that jealousness was part of God’s creation. There are puzzles as to where the people of Nod originated from. Is God’s domain limited to the region of Eden? We shall discuss this when we look at Creationism.

Do we have a scientific explanation of jealousness, greediness and selfishness?

Science is under pressure globally, and from every religion. As science becomes an increasingly dominant part of human culture, its achievements inspire both awe and fear.

Science has opened the doors to understanding our very existence and the outside world. Science has improved human intelligence, provided evidence and knowledge, even though there are destructive elements, mostly caused by applying science to achieve selfishness.

It is a general belief that greediness, jealousness and selfishness are hereditary, but by understanding the human body, scientists have not yet traced any hereditary hormone that matches greediness, selfishness and jealousness within any human body.

Conclusion

Human beings are born neither greed, jealous, selfish nor sharing, loving, caring, but are capable of all depending on the environment they grow and live. A story once appeared on one International magazine by a reporter who visited the Khoisan people in the Kalahari. He asked them who their leader was, they all stood up showing that they are all leaders in their society.

Humankind has used faith, which is a firm belief in the absence of evidence, betraying human intelligence, undermining science based knowledge and compromising ordinary morality to interpret their existence.



SWAZILAND CIVIL SOCIETY– MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY CONSULTATIVE
CONFERENCE.
Compiled by Cde ‘Marcus Garvey’

Introduction
“Swaziland Democracy Now” was the theme used at the Conference which was organized by the Coordinating Assembly of NGO’s (CANGO) and Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) held at the Royal Swazi Convention Center on the 13th to 14th June, 2008.

To me as a political activist those two days were a “momentarily freedom” in a country where the poor working class are always deprived of their freedom.

Political parties who took part in this consultative conference were PUDEMO, NNLC, Inhlava and AUDP. Sibahle Sinje failed to attend reason given to us being that they were attending the so called “Peoples’ Parliament” at Lobamba.

Anyway my intention here is to briefly highlight some of the presentations from selected speakers. Frankly it is a blessing to share such invaluable information with my fellow comrades, after all “The People Shall Share”.

13th June, 2008
The Linkages between Multiparty Democracy, Respect for Human Rights, Rule of Law and Good Governance.

Presenter; Professor John Mw Makumbe (Ph D)
Associate Professor of Political Science
Department of Political and Administrative Studies
University of Zimbabwe
Harare

“MULTI PARTY DEMOCRACY– a Critical Expose”

In his introductory remarks the Professor stated that in order to determine the level of democracy and good governance in a given country ten elements of criteria are normally focused on:

1. Protection and observation of human rights.
2. Protection of minority groups
3. Elections: are free, fair and frequent
4. Adult suffrage: inclusive, everyone can vote
5. Treatment of opposition under the law
6. Speech: existence of alternative (independent) media
7. Organizational autonomy: the right to form associations, etc.
8. Level of state control: over populace, economy, etc.
9. Autonomy of judiciary: including respect of court rulings.
10. Constitutionalism: process of making/amending foundation law.


Defining Political Parties:
Political parties are structures established by the institutionalization of the process by which groups in a society articulate their demands and support, and political elites aggregate these group demands. They are vehicles of representation and integration, as well as channels of political communication. Various political party theories describe political parties as follows:

· Gathering of politically like minded people;
· Social groups with common goals;
· A division of roles;
· A hierarchic authority structure

Political parties have to perform such functions as to recruit and socialize new members, to select leaders through internal processes of representation and elections. From a political governance and policy perspective, a political party can be argue to be:

· A specialized system of action with the goal of occupying government offices;
· An organization which aims at entering a competitive electoral relationship with similar organizations;
· An organization which develops a special public support and adaptation strategies;
· Political bodies that are oriented toward a clientele of present and potential voters.

Political parties constitute the basic structures for the organization of political effort in relation to issues of democracy, good governance and the upholding of human rights…… Multi party democracy therefore requires that citizens are allowed to form, join and support a political party of their choice.


Defining Democracy:
Democracy is a political concept founded on three underlying ideas, namely, democracy as a value, a process and a practice. Democracy has these three defining characteristics. We can define democracy as a moral imperative, i.e. as a value. Democracy is a basic human need, a necessity, and therefore a political demand of all freedom loving human beings. What then is this basic imperative? “ It is a permanent aspiration of human beings for freedom, for a better social and political order, one that is more human, and more or less egalitarian”, according to Nzonkola Ntalaja. In all human societies, people always feel the need to improve their material conditions of life, as well as to feel freer. The democratic values of individual human worth and solidarity are values around which the concept of democracy is best articulated within African context. “ they define the Traditional African concept of a person both as an individual and as a social being”.

……..Nzonkola Ntalaja rightly observes that whereas colonialism and its triple configuration of economic exploitation, political repression and cultural oppression incited African independence struggles, today, moral decay, together with the destruction of the social fabric by post-colonial dictators has compelled all freedom loving people to rise up in a new social movement for political change. The struggle for democracy in Africa today is thus a moral imperative.

We can also define democracy as a social process: Ntalaja rightly observes that democracy is never perfect. “ it is a continuous process of promoting equal access to fundamental human rights and civil liberties”. This involves four key elements:

· The fundamental rights of the human person to life and security ;
· Freedom of religion, assembly, expression, press, association, etc.;
· Economic, social and cultural rights;
· The rights of peoples, including the inalienable right to self-determination.
In other words , the concept of democracy is incomplete without reference to the notion of fundamental human rights. Democracy is that social process through which people strive to expand these rights effectively. A good political order is one in which the state is capable of satisfying the material and spiritual needs of its citizens. The anti-colonial struggle was aimed at promoting basic rights and liberties. The colonial system was identified as the major obstacle to the total emancipation of the colonized people. The modern democracy movement in Africa has objectives that include not only an end to white rule, but also better jobs, better pay and working conditions, more schools and health


Affordable modern amenities, and above all, a better future for the children. The democratization process currently underway in most Africa is a logical consequence of the non– fulfillment of these expectations of independence.

Democracy can also be defined as political practice. Democracy is a form of rule, a specific manner of organizing and exercising power in accordance with certain universal norms and principles.

The following are some of the universal principles.

· The idea that legitimate power or authority emanates from the people who exercise it either directly through popular assemblies, or by delegation, through elected assemblies;
· The concept of the rule of law; which means that power should not be arbitrary, and that its exercise must be circumscribed by a set of rules with respect to its limits and mode of operation.
· The principle that rulers are chosen by and are accountable to the people. This implies that democracy is government by the consent of the governed, who must approve, not only the rules by which they are administered but also the rulers themselves. Accountability implies that rulers are answerable to those they govern for their acts.
· The right of citizens to participate in the management of public affairs through free, transparent and democratic elections, through decentralized governmental structures, and through non– governmental organizations. This implies the right to organize freely, political and trade union pluralism, and the independence of the organizations of civil society from the state.
· The right of people to change a government that no longer serves their interests, or the right to revolution. US President Abraham Lincoln once stated that people have a right to rise up and shake off the existing government and form a new one that suits them better.

Although multi-partyism is not necessarily synonymous with democracy, it is difficult if not impossible to show that a one- party or no-party system can be democratic. Indeed, multi-partyism tends to promote democracy. Except for a few countries such as Botswana, South Africa, Mauritius, Benin, most contemporary Africa has deviated from democratic norms and principles. In most other African states, there is no representative government, no rule of law; instead, arbitrary rule by military and civilian dictators seems to be the order of the day.


In a democratic, multi-party system, strong opposition parties are needed to provide an alternative to the incumbent party, thereby facilitating the existence of real and meaningful choice for the electorate. Secondly, they are expected to act as watchdog by carefully scrutinizing the activities of the ruling party as well as questioning and criticizing government policies. This ensures not only that there is some restraint on the part of the ruling party and the government in what they do, but also facilitates accountability and transparency in governance. A further function of opposition parties is to ensure that the public is kept informed about the activities and policies of the government and the ruling party. This is crucial because most incumbent governments tend to curtail or manipulate this information in order to perpetuate themselves in office. Through publicity expressing criticism of specific government actions, opposition parties can also make an input into national formulation. Hence, the competition among various political parties for the support of the citizens can be instrumental in the formulation of appropriate policies. But to perform these functions opposition parties ought to be strong and credible in formulating viable policy alternatives.

Pre-Conditions for Democratic Elections:
To be truly democratic, elections must be conducted in accordance with certain specific legal procedures, and certain pre-conditions must obtain. Although there are, obviously, many more decisive factors in the handling of democratic elections, the following few seem to be most crucial, minimal requirements:

· Transparency in the procedures
· Peaceful political environment
· Equal opportunities
· Equitable access to the mass media and other forms of mass communication
· Right to express their views and ideas
· Allow all eligible voters to participate

Of course the above model of democratic elections is what Max Weber called an ideal type, i.e. a pure form which is never met in reality-but which serves to define what we actually mean by democratic elections. It is the reference, the standard against which we can compare multi-party democratic elections all over the world.

Conclusion:
It is obvious from the foregoing that multi-party democracy is the sine qua non for good governance and the upholding of human rights in any modern state today. Multi-party democracy is a universal concept that cannot be claimed to belong to any one country. It is unfortunate that some of the least democratic political systems in the world today are those that have shunned democracy and held onto obsolete and moribund political and governance systems, the majority of which end up oppressing the peoples of the unfortunate countries. The struggle for multi-party democracy is, indeed, a noble struggle that must be vigorously supports by all of us for the benefit of all our nations. Our actions today in this regard will determine whether tomorrow, in the so-called global village, we will be part of the main streets or part of the back alleys. The bottom line is, however, whether we are prepared and willing to pay the price for progressive change.

(Certain paragraphs from the Professor's document have been purposely omitted. This does not imply that those paragraphs are not as important as those selected, but due to the unavailability of space in our newsletter, we felt appropriate to omit some.)

In our next issue we shall be looking at the presentation made by Dr. Khabele Matlosa, a Research Director at the Electoral Institute of Southern Africa (EISA). Topic– “FOSTERING DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE THROUGH GENUINE AND CREDIBLE ELECTORAL PROCESSES AND OUTCOMES”.

WHY THIS SILENCE ON SWAZILAND?

Listening to people from Swaziland calling for assistance from Thabo Mbeki and the SADC, I find myself asking the cardinal question: What is it that the Zimbabwean people do or did which ensures them local as well as international attention which the Swazis cannot or have not done?

Unlike Zimbabwe, in Swaziland there is no such thing as democracy– no leaders chosen through democratic process, no labour rights, no consultative constitution. Since 1973 the constitution has been and remains a monarchial project. The people have no right to organize and demonstrate their dissatisfaction with their leaders or otherwise. They are brutally suppressed by the military.

Leaders have no obligation to account to the masses as the masses have no right to remove them. The country depends solely on donors, with most of the donor money spent on maintaining a monarch who has no interest in the wellbeing of the people. The majority live in dire poverty and the population is ravaged by AIDS.

When King Mswati spends the donated millions on his many lavish parties as well as on cronies and too many wives, nothing is said. In Zimbabwe, with all its difficulties, the people can vote for another leader. The people can demonstrate, the workers can organize, hence Mugabe, as opposed to King Mswati, remains the most demonized leader.

Why does the international community say nothing about the lack of democracy in Swaziland/ is it because, unlike Mugabe, King Mswati preserved and continues to preserve white privilege and interests in Swaziland? If this is not the case, then what is it?

Shouldn't the international community be calling for pressure on King Mswati so that he can introduce democratic processes in Swaziland– a country that remains the only one in the African continent where political executive exists?

LUTHER LEBELO
Midrand
[THIS ARTICLE APPEARED ON THE CITY PRESS , LETTERS TO THE EDITOR DATED 4TH MAY,2008.]

OBITUARY OF THE LATE Cde Dr. GABRIEL THANDOKUHLE MKHUMANE
PUDEMO VICE PRESIDENT

Humble beginnings:
The late Dr Gabriel T. Mkhumane was born on the 6th December 1960 in the dusty village of Lubulini some 30km east of Manzini. He is the 3rd born of nine children of Mr. and Mrs. Mkhumane. He was a very bright , courageous but, shy child.

Schooling:
He went to primary school at Mayaluka Primary School in Big Bend, a small sugar cane farming town in the South east of Swaziland. This town prides itself with rich soils and the great Usuthu River makes a “big bend” in this area as it courses towards Ingwavuma and the Indian Ocean. Big bend has long and rich history of colonial dispossession following the Anglo-Boer war. He then proceeded to Big Bend Secondary School. He passed L.C. (Std 8) with a second class pass. He asked his parents for permission to repeat as he was not proud of his record. After repeating, he then passed with a first class plus distinction. This was in 1975. He proceeded to Lubombo Central High School, between 1976 and 1977.

Swaziland at that time was home to many South African exiles and a number of them were teaching in Swaziland, schools and university. Gabriel was heavily influenced by the events of June 16, 1976 and the teacher strike of the late 70’s in Swaziland. High School students were paramount foot soldiers of that strike. It was one of the most successful public displays of resistance against the monarchy government of the then revered king Sobhuza.

A Cadre is Born
He then started doing work for the underground structures of the ANC. He was in the cell that included Keith McFadden, who was later assassinated by the apartheid agents. His duties included ferrying goods and person from Mozambique through Swaziland and into South Africa between 1980 and 1982, he was jailed at Barberton Prison where he was charged with assisting a banned terrorist organization.

Return to Motherland
Upon release and return to Swaziland, he continued his political work and was then in contact with other progressive activists in Swaziland and other South African comrades.

Formed PUDEMO
On one chill evening on July of 1983, fine sons and daughters of Swaziland assembled on the banks of the Umbuluzi river, some 10km north east of Mbabane. They were assisted by the selected number of South African Comrades. Their aim was to form a broad based democratic m

Democratic movement to politically challenge the royalist government led by a council of state called LIQOQO, following the death of King Sobhuza 11 in 1982. this was a very turbulent time in Swazi politics. It was a time of great treachery, political murders, disappearances, detention without trial and collaboration between the Swaziland security forces and the apartheid security machinery. A counter force has to be created. PUDEMO was born at a still tender age. Gabriel was one of the fine sons of Swaziland who was at the meeting and hence became a founder member of PUDEMO.

A Maturing Combatant
As the days unfolded Gabriel became more and more involved in the Swaziland –South Africa struggles. When members of his cell ( him included) returned to their house one morning they found the house has been sprayed with bullets and the door blown off with an explosive device. This was a clear message to Gabriel that he had to go more underground.

Left Swaziland
Early in 1985 he left Swaziland en-route to Lusaka and traveled the hostile Lubombo Mountains into Mozambique. There, unfortunately he was arrested by Mozambique soldiers and bundled together with RENAMO insurgents and labeled as such. He did not understand the language and had difficulty defending himself/explaining himself and was thrown into jail. PUDEMO and ANC looked and searched for him to no avail. He was labeled a bandit and stayed for two years in deplorable conditions in a Mozambique jail with little food and scarcity clothing. Eventually he was located and his release negotiated.

An Internationalist is Born ( in the land of Che Guevara)
He left Mozambique and flew to Lusaka and soon to Cuba. He arrived in Cuba in 1989 at the age of 28 and started Spanish classes that year. In 1989 he started studies in Medicine at the Havana University. He completed his studies in 1994. in 1989 he had met and successfully charmed a beautiful Cuban girl that was later to become his wife and they married in 1996. in 1996 he started medical specialist studies in Pediatrics (child health) he qualified as a pediatrician in 1996.

Back to the Battlefront
The specialist pediatrician and husband left Cuba on the 20th of September 2000, headed for Mozambique. He arrived in Maputo and secured work for himself and his nurse at Maputo General Hospital. Security agents in Swaziland visited his mother and told her “ your son is back and he is still alive, for now we will update you’.

To South Africa
In 2002 he left Mozambique for South Africa and sought protection in the UN High Commission for Refugees. He was later given refugee status in South Africa. In South Africa he was PUDEMO chief representative in Africa and the Caribbean, a role he played with amazing, stunning, conviction and endurance. During this time he helped to form the Swaziland Solidarity Network. He networked extensively with South African comrades especially in the SACP and the broader tripartite alliance.

A LIFE OF HARDSHIP
A life of hardship was to follow as a refugee in South Africa. He could not be employed as his degrees and those of his wife were not recognized by the health profession and nursing council of South Africa. Documents and translation that could only be done in Cuba were sought by these councils. Gabriel fell in between the cracks as he was not a Cuban nationality ( who are covered by Cuba– RSA agreement in South Africa.

And he was not a South African ( who have a dedicated programme that “South Africanites” they are Cuban studies) he was often on off pocket and in need. He however displayed amazing tolerance and tenancy, remaining a very modest but at all times a dignified person.

CAME TO NELSPRUIT
In December 2005 he came to Nelspruit and stayed with friends, within a month of being in Nelspruit he was mugged at gun point while jogging in the early evening, an instance that in hindsight should be taken as just pure criminality. His cell phone was bugged and the police radios could be heard on the background transmitting his conversations from the police headquarters in Mbabane. In Nelspruit he found new stability and made new friends and met many comrades. These comrades helped him in many ways as he pursued the political program to liberate Swaziland.

ELECTED DEPUTY PRESIDENT
In recognition of his caliber and commitment he was elected deputy president of PUDEMO at the 6th General Congress in December 2006. he worked tirelessly on the organization renewal programme.

Late in 2007 he got a job at Themba Hospital as a Medical Officer to help him recommit to his medical career and unite the exams of the health professions council.

MURDERED
He was murdered on the night of the 7th of April 2008 after being hijacked at Entokozweni near Lekazi, his murder was a senseless and callous act of cowardice that left PUDEMO, his family, his friends and his comrades shuttered and dismayed. Many questions rise from the incident. He's survived by his wife Zoraida, sons Lizwi 8 years and Lizwe 2 months.

HAMBA KAHLE QHAWE!!
Lala uphumule, kudala uzabalaza.
Nkhokheli, Mvuli wendlela kuvaliwe ngesibhamu, mzungelezi wemazwe
Ufaka inkhululeko
Qhawe lama Qhawe.



POEMS

In Swaziland I see
In Swaziland I realize
Dear Swaziland I notice
Peoples, peace and justice
Is not known, morals are gone
values are low
The honesty do not survive

In Swaziland
Where are the revolutionaries
The agents of just change
The reformist and reactionary
Their presence I feel
They beg to survive history
The sober judge of the universal court
Has ruled exit
The people anticipates freedom
From economic marginalization
The persecution of serial killers
Through extravagance and poverty
The doors of learning are ringing-open

The remnants refuse
The people’s celebration
Front line cadres take charge
The freedom is found in courage and sacrifice
Hear the peoples; call
By a ballot or bullet
By the bible or gun
Any which way freedom must come
Freedom itself is not free
The walls of oppression must fall on the mafia
The guilty must perish
Finally I will be free
For I am never free until
I realize freedom of my fellow people!!

By Mtabas
Swayoco Publicity