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
