May-June 2009

INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY!

LOOKS LIKE THE MOMENTUM IS BUILDING….CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN DENMARK.

Press release
Around 500 people attended the launch of the newly founded Swaziland Democracy Watch at the May Beats festival the 30th May in the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen.

The new Swaziland Democratic Watch presented a professional photo exhibition about the strong and fighting Swazi people and the freedom fighter Mario Masuku at a big festival in Demark last weekend.

The attending guests were through the exhibition informed about Mario Masuku and his imprisonment. A big majority of the guests became full supporters of Mario Masuku and PUDEMO’s fight for a multiparty system in Swaziland. Furthermore, many of the guests wrote greeting to support Mario Masuku.

“It was a very successful presentation”, explained Marie Hvelplund, a member of Swaziland Democracy Watch. ’ Many people were enthusiastic to show their support for Masuku”.

Swaziland Democracy watch will in the near future send greetings to Mario Masuku in the jail. It is our opinion that the freedom fighter, Mario Masuku, should not be in prison and denounced as a terrorist. We think that the future of Swaziland should be decided by the people and not by one man, the king.

The focus on the photo exhibition was to inform about the fight for democracy in Swaziland and the king’s, Mswati III, misuse of power. The pictures and the text to match illustrated the big inequality between poor population and the very rich royal family.

This photo exhibition was shown at a big festival in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.

“ A lot of people said to me, that before they came to this festival, they didn't know anything about Swaziland,” said Anne Bech, a member of Swaziland Democracy Watch. “ Many were shocked by the conditions in Swaziland, and they couldn't imagine living in a country with a dictator like the king, Mswati III.”

Swaziland Democracy Watch is a newly founded solidarity group that fights for democracy in Swaziland. We aim to bring Swaziland on the political agenda in Denmark and get the politicians to take responsibility for the actions of the EU and subsequently put pressure on the government of Swaziland. This is necessary for our case, in order to make the king realize that his actions will not take place unnoticed. Furthermore we collaborate with progressive democratic movements in Swaziland, to help them in their struggle against the present despotic monarchy.

On the behalf of Swaziland Democracy Watch.

Nana B. Olesen.


ARE WE REALLY DEVELOPING OUR COUNTRY OR “DEVELOPING POVERTY” WITHIN OUR COUNTRY?
Sikhupe Airport, Swazi City, Industrial Park and all the other investment promises lives us wondering!!
By Comrade Marcus Garvey

I wonder if the leadership of countries like Swaziland ever give themselves time to consider the thinking of the ordinary citizens of their country. It has become a norm from those high up in the corridors of power to undermine our intelligence, putting our thinking capabilities hundred or more years back in history when only the privileged class understood what was really taking place on political, economical and social issues globally.

Positive Development or just the opposite?

Sikhuphe International Airport!

Building of the Sikhuphe International Airport programme commenced in 2000. To my understanding, the major financers of such a project was the Taiwanese government as usual of course ( only about three countries in Africa has diplomatic ties with Taiwan). The primary intention of building such an airport was to be used by travelers to change planes and fly on to their destinations.

It is true that as a developing nation we need an internationally recognized airport in our country. However, after a feasibility study by experts for such a big project, ordinary Swazis needs to be informed and be given a chance of making some recommendations. The question is why did we decide to built a new one when the already existing one is failing to meet international standards


Swazi City and 15 000 Jobs!!

In his 41st birthday at the Mavuso Trade Center, the King stated that, “ I have been assured by the experts who are working the projects that they will deliver them within three years”. This projects includes the multi billion emalangeni Swazi City to cover about 1 800 000 square meters.

According to Bheki Dlamini the CEO in the King’s office and Sheriff the director of the SAAD Group architecture a company anchored in Saudi Arabia, doing the design for the project, the Swazi City will have two five star hotels, a shopping mall with more than 250 shops which offer a variety of fashions from around the world, four floors of luxurious shopping experience, Royal Villas which will offer up to six star accommodation facilities, among others.

Now the question is, do Swazis really need a shopping mall? With the unemployment rate at such an alarming rate and the GDP at such an alarming rate, are we going to afford buying at the mall / already Swazis are finding it difficult feeding themselves relying on donors to survive. Frankly, such a project is not for the benefit of ordinary Swazis, but it is just meant to bring the shopping of the royal family closer home, maybe travel sanctions is looming against them.

Again on development projects, we have been informed that a Science and Technology Park will be built at a site already identified, expansion of the Matsapa Industrial estate and building of an Umbane Township at Malkerns all this projects are viewed by our leadership as a benefit to all Swazis.

Someone living in a glass house is throwing stones at the poor masses of Swaziland. These issues of building castles on ice seems to be a way of diverting the concentration of the ordinary citizens of our country from the very important issues touching our everyday lives; the political, economical and social set up of our country. Someone is undermining our intelligence, as the working class, we cannot ’bury our heads on the sand and expect a great God to come from the skies and rescue us”. We have to challenge these fairy tales. Only time will tell.



WORKERS UNITED SHALL NEVER BE DEFEATED!!
By Comrade Victim

We the progressive movement of this country once again salute the workers of Swaziland for the strong solidarity they have shown during the May 1 celebration. In unity the workers assembled at the Salesian Sports Ground not only to celebrate the workers day but also their unity. In PUDEMO we salute the SFTU, SFL, SNAT and many other workers who contributed to the economy of the country. It is this unity that PUDEMO has struggled for so many years to have. We are aware that the enemy is not happy when workers come together.

Undemocratic regimes of this world do not celebrate as the workers power gets galvanized because it poses a threat to their existence. Their response is to cry- terrorism!

Workers of Swaziland continue to be a strong motive force for change for you have nothing to loose, for you have already lost almost everything. You have constructed the roads but you continue to be without a car. You have built schools and universities yet your children never see the inside of a classroom. You have built garment factories yet you have continued to walk naked.

Workers of Swaziland rise up and demand what you produce from the sweat of your labour. Make your muscle be known by the captains of the industries. Let your voice not only be heard but also be listened to. Make the slogan– An Injury to One is an Injury to All be a reality. Nothing for us without us must rule. You are old enough to participate in the governance of your economy because it is produced by you. One industry One Union, One Union One Federation!!#


VIVA SWAZILAND SOLIDARITY NETWORK (SSN)

VIVA International Solidarity.

We the oppressed people of Swaziland wish to extend our sincere gratitude to all the comrades involved in the network to liberate the country from perpetual slavery and servitude. Comrades you contribution towards exposing the double standards of our rulers who preach and speak democracy yet they perpetrate oppression of one man by another.

Comrades, we salute your successful campaign to shame the regime during the inauguration of President Jacob Zuma. We applaud the shaming and exposing of the hypocrisy by the Pan African Parliament. Such bodies continue to dirty themselves with people who have not been democratically elected like Marwick Khumalo and his cohorts.


THE ARREST OF COMRADE THULANI!!
By Comrade Victim

The arrest of comrade Thulani has not come as a surprise to us because it is a commonly known fact and principle that is employed by all regimes facing extinction from the face of the earth. We knew after the arrest of comrade Mario Masuku, the Peoples President that this regime was now ’kicking indiscriminately without tactics’. To our every arrest is victory as the enemy is pushed deeper into defeat. The continuance harassment of our comrades who are awaken at night and terrorized is a clear indication that the people are advancing. The hunger and thirst for democracy has been raised by the terrorism laws. As the oppressed people continue to push for their emancipation, all unjust laws cannot stand by.

As we sing and march along the streets we must do so with pride for our liberation is at hand. We must do so with pride as the Tinkhundla is brought down on its knees. Comrades, to all of you that have been raided by the agents looking for weapons yet carrying weapons themselves, do not break but remain strong and resolute. True cadres of our struggle always expect the unexpected. To those of you who have not experienced this barbaric act, stay strong and vigilant. This are but necessary bridges to be crossed. To comrades’ wives and husbands, punish us not for having shown less love, be patient a little as we finish the last mile to freedom.


LET US ALL BUILD, SUSTAIN AND SAFEGUARD THE UNITY AND INTERNAL COHESION OF THE MOVEMENT”
By Comrade Hendrick Springle
Manzini Regional Secretary at the Regional Political School
14th June 2009

As we struggle in our quest to dismantle Tinkhundla, we and our partners in the Swaziland United Democratic Front represent unity of purpose to end Tinkhundla and replace it with multiparty democratic state. It is our duty and responsibility to unite this broad range of forces behind a common vision and a programme of action to finally defeat the Tinkhundla regime.

· It is the role of PUDEMO to unite all progressive forces on the African continent and across the world against Tinkhundla’s unique thuggery of democracy and in the process engage these international allies to impose smart and strategic sanctions on the regime.
As we approach our branches’ general meetings, the subs and regional congresses this month and the national general congress in 2010, the unity and internal cohesion of PUDEMO will face serious test due to the critical question of leadership succession. Frank discussion within structures should assist in perfecting and improving our management of leadership succession and deployment of cadres into strategic civil society organizations, trade unions and building and strengthening organs of people’s power. PUDEMO also has the responsibility to build the unity of the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) as it goes into its 2nd national conference in a few weeks time. The current crop of SUDF leadership coming from the six affiliates has to be lauded even though some quarters feel it has not done enough in terms of achievements and challenges. Leadership succession in the SUDF is of paramount importance. Objectivity rather than subjectivity should prevail when evaluating the performance of the SUDF which is a mere 12 months old. If you recall that the Front was conceived at the 2006 Matsulu Congress it is our responsibility to safeguard its unity, our duty to provide the ultimate glue to hold it together under this trying times. We should tolerate the diversity and levels of struggle of our partners in the front, more so capacitate by discussion, share ideas and tackle any factors that threaten the unity of the Front. We should be disciplined, for we rightly say we won’t beg for our freedom but our principle reminds us that the liberation of the people should be an act of the people themselves. For any fault on our part, history will judge us harshly.

Leadership succession in the SUDF is of paramount importance. Objectivity rather than subjectivity should prevail when evaluating the performance of the SUDF which is a mere 12 months old. If you recall that the Front was conceived at the 2006 Matsulu Congress it is our responsibility to safeguard its unity, our duty to provide the ultimate glue to hold it together under this trying times. We should tolerate the diversity and levels of struggle of our partners in the front, more so capacitate by discussion, share ideas and tackle any factors that threaten the unity of the Front. We should be disciplined, for we rightly say we won’t beg for our freedom but our principle reminds us that the liberation of the people should be an act of the people themselves. For any fault on our part, history will judge us harshly.

· Comrades and compatriots, any discussion of the unity of the movement has to take into account both the historical and contemporary contest within which PUDEMO continues to evolve. PUDEMO was formed 26 years ago and the words of our founding documents, “ to fully represent the interests of the people of Swaziland and to unite them against undemocratic governance, oppression, exploitation, unfair discrimination, corruption, nepotism and favoritism”. A declaration to the world was pronounced of which we still dearly uphold: ’ that Swaziland belongs to all its citizens not subjects, regardless of race, color, sex, religion or social status. United we will stand and struggle to liberate ourselves from the chains and shackles of tinkhundla”. The democracy the country had achieved at independence in 1968 and nurturing was assassinated by the 1973 Decree banning freedom assembly and expression. It became a criminal offence for three or more people to assemble, discuss and debate. Before and after its conception, PUDEMO operated underground. At the 1990 Ipelegeng Conference, PUDEMO unbanned itself and became the spearhead of the transformation of our society behind a common vision of a better life for all people. Our primary role is the mobilization of all classes and strata in our society that objectively stand to gain from the success of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR). Yesteryear, today and tomorrow our ambition is to unite with other genuine people’s organization in the fight against national oppression and exploitation through tactical and strategic alliances and co-operation arrangements.

As we speak today, the despotic regime is drafting and unleashing one draconian law after another in its desperate fight against a democratic dispensation. The regime has taken advantage of the hue and cry on global terrorism and enacted the Suppression of Terrorism Act or is it the Suppression of Democracy Act which in all essence was meant to be a last ditch effort to destroy PUDEMO and its revolutionary appendages. In the pipeline is a legislation to purge comrades in the government civil service. We at PUDEMO say, do not panic this is a psychological knee jerk reflex action of a dying regime on its way to the dustbin of extinction. Let us all stand as a unit and reject this notion as ultra nonsense, a violation of our fundamental human rights of the highest order. All along the regime is shooting itself in the foot, scoring own goals, choking itself to death.

· PUDEMO is the movement that bears that singular historic responsibility to unite all our people and PUDEMO’s first responsibility is itself to be united so that it can lead transformation of our society as a powerful and effective organization. Many liberation movements and revolutionary parties that failed to manage their internal contradictions fell by wayside, leaving their noble ideals unaccomplished. As explained above, never in our existence have we faced such torrid and hostile environment. Each and every cadre should be calling for unity and internal cohesion. PUDEMO is a product and custodian of unity. We have to safeguard the unity and internal cohesion of the movement.

Unity is built on basic principles of what the movement stands for and how it should operate in carrying out its mission. Unity cannot and should not be equaled with the absence of differences within structures of the organization. Contradictions and differences will always exist in any vibrant organizations. The challenge is to manage and turn contradictions into a source of strength, rather than a source of splits and splinters. Over the 26 years of its existence PUDEMO has established traditions and cultures that are an integral part of the heart and soul of the movement.

1. Encouraging and inculcating a culture of open discussion and debates

This helps to the organization to develop theoretical clarity and identify the appropriate strategy and tactics for each phase of the struggle and cope with difficult moments of ideological flare ups. This lays the basis for unity of purpose, one of the major ingredients of internal cohesion. Encouraging a culture of criticism and self-criticisms helps the cadre ship of the movement to approach questions and practical problems of social transformation with critical minds rather than with dogma. This culture lays the basis for cadres and leaders to constantly reflect on and learn from their daily experiences and methods of work, thus creating a possibility to become even better agents of change.

Lack of debate and robust exchange of ideas contribute and causes divisions in the structures of the movement. This can lead to a situation in which people find ways outside formal structures to express different views, undermining organizational processes, procedures and decisions. sometimes the claim about lack of debate is made falsely by those whose views have been defeated in internal debates. However, the leadership of the movement at all levels has to constantly take a lead in encouraging and participating in climate of open debate, ill-disciplined individuals or factionalists who seek to undermine the organizational decision –making processes get exposed and dealt with decisively.

2. Encouraging and perpetuating a culture of respecting democratic centralism, organizational decisions and resolutions

All views are to be expressed and heard in proper structures and every effort made to emerge with the widest possible approach, based on fairness of principle but agility on tactics. As part of the democratic culture of PUDEMO decisions and resolutions of the majority are binding to everyone, including those who hold a contrary view. The lower structures have the right to influence decisions of the higher structures, but once decisions are taken by the higher structures they are binding on all structures and they have to be respected and implemented by all membership.

3. Perpetuating a culture of collective leadership

We should understand that no single individual no matter how committed or experienced has the ability or wisdom to bring about social change on their own. Leaders have to function as collectives that constantly exchange views and share organizational tasks and get guidance from the membership and involve them in the work of the organization.

Through collective decision making and implementation, individual leaders influence one another's views and perspectives, share experience on dealing with organizational and political matters and therefore gain confidence that improves the performance and effectiveness of the organization. On the other hand dysfunctional leadership collectives contribute to divisions in the structure of the movement. When leadership collectives fails to meet as required, collectively review the work of the organization and take appropriate decisions and actions, a climate is created in which there are parallel processes that take over the functions of an elected collective, thus giving rise to divisions because individuals do not operate within the discipline of a collective. Unelected individuals end up taking key decisions of the organization, while those elected to do so remain out of the scene or fail to take responsibility.

Unity in action has to be encouraged , nurtured and perpetuated.

Recognizing that ideological unity is necessary but insufficient, it must be matched by unity through disciplined implementation of an agreed programme of action. Unity only becomes a material force or a powerful and effective instrument for revolutionary change when it is translated into action.

By developing an organizational tradition and culture that combines all these pillars the leadership of the movement can be able to manage ideological, class gender, generational and sect oral contradictions.

Some other factors and practices that contribute and exacerbate division

Factionalism and sectarianism:
This is the tendency and method of work in which a group of like minded comrades give to itself the power and function of ensuring that all key decisions in an organization are first discussed and decided by it outside formal organizational structures then taken to structures for rubber stamping. Even if there are open debates, collective leadership and effective management of organizational process, there are people who will pursue factionalism is an ideological disposition because they do not believe that the revolution can be entrusted to the leadership collective and membership of an organization. Factionalism can also be driven by sheer self interest. A lot of factional activity in structures of broad democratic movement in our country is driven by pursuit of positions that are associated with influence and resources.

Poor political management of organizational process:
Divisions often arise from failure to have clear, transparent and predictable systems and procedures that help people in the organization to understand how decisions are made and who is responsible. Sloppy and inefficient administration could be misunderstood as deliberate intent to exclude certain people from having access to information. Dysfunctional secretariats and other coordinating and administrative structures could cause serious tension and conflicts in collectives. When the center cannot hold, many center's will emerge outside the agreed ways of working and these will cause confusion, information gaps, distortions, misquotations and misinterpretation that lead to tension.


The role of leadership and membership in building unity and internal cohesion.

We have always pointed out that those in positions in leadership should unite and guide the movement to be at the head of the process of change. They should lead the movement in its historic mission to organize and inspire the masses to be their own liberators. They should lead the task with diligence. And together they should reflect continuity of a revolutionary tradition and renewal which sustains the movement in the long term. National, regional and branch leadership bear a particularly heavy responsibility in building the unity of the movement so that it can effectively discharge its historic mission of uniting all Swazis…. So that we can effectively and collectively undertake the key task of social transformatiom.

As individual members of PUDEMO and the different organizations of the democratic movements, we all have a right to express views on matters of strategy and tactics, policy positions and leadership within our structures. However, what has set our revolutionary movement apart from te others and ahead of the others is the fact that the selection and election of leadership has not been done in a manner that creates permanent blocks or causes splits and splinter groups. This is because the rank and file membership has a very important role in safeguarding the unity of the movement. The leadership of PUDEMO has a central role to play in uniting the membership and successive generations of the leadership of our movement in keeping it together in these difficult and trying times.



CAUGHT BETWEEN THE WEB: hands off PUDEMO & SWAYOCO
...Forward with the fighting spirit.
By Comrade DU


When we worked around the concept towards the formation of a Front, we did have in mind that some other opportunistic elements will creep in to deviate from the main strategic objective of the Front, the restoration of Multi-party Governance. These organ is supposed to embrace all organs within the society who subscribe to the ideals of a democratic Swaziland. What these organ have turned to be an organizations of professionals, academicians and disciplinarians who think that there are ethics and morals in a cause of the struggle to overthrow a system of governance, unless we are a noise making organ with no objective.

It is surprising though to hear some of the labor unions citing violence as the main cause that makes some workers not to attend mass actions but they forget to cite that workers in as much as they witness violence from the state machinery. Another issue is the abuse and mismanagement of workers’ funds for personal gains which have seen a lot of workers not attending mass action, it is not all about violence but how best do union leaders take grievances of workers from grassroots level to national level but if leaders take subscription and do not service workers but make deals with employers. How hypocritical are our leaders? Freedom for the poor is usually deviated by such forces who try to stipulate the modus operanda for the struggling people so that they can please their donors.

From time immemorial revolutionary struggles have been ostracized by these forces who bring donor funds with conditions so that we can come out with another suppressive and exploitative regime under the guise of progressive government. Our freedom will not come out of the mercy of donors their stooges. Revolutionaries are always struggling to defeat puppet governments, reactionary forces which are counter-revolutionary funded by imperialist forces. Revolutionaries are always caught in this web but always fight on till victory is attained.

Viva Pudemo\Swayoco the vanguard of the Swazi Struggle


THE NEW PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT (PAP)

Elected Dr Idriss Ndele Moussa, from Chad, a dentist by profession and four new vice presidents:
· Bethel Amadi, first vice president from Niger
· Mary Mugyenyi, second vice president from Uganda
· Laroussi Hammi, third vice president from Algeria
· Joram Gumbo, fourth vice president from Zimbabwe

The legislative powers shall include:
· Respect of human rights
· Consolidation of democratic institutions and developing a culture of democracy
· Promotion of good governance and the rule of law
· Adoption of AU budget
· The harmonization of the laws, policies and programmes of member states and regional communities
· Undertaking of fact-finding missions

In his speech the new president stated the specific responsibilities expected from his vice presidents to fast track the organization’s new duties as Africa’s legislative authority.

Objectives include:
· Accelerating political and socio-economic integration
· Promoting and defending common African positions of issues of interest to the continent’s people
· Promoting pace, security and stability
· Promoting democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance
· Establishing the conditions for the continent to play its role in the global economy.#


THIS MP SHOULD BE BRANDED FOR MENTAL DEFICIENCY SYNDROME!!
By Comrade Marcus Garvey

Once again the poor working class are being insulted, this time by an MP who claims to be a man of God leading his band, Ncandweni Christ Ambassadors by openly stating that HIV testing should be mandatory and all those testing positive should be branded on the buttocks. What a disgusting statement from an MP who gets his salary from the toil of our sweat and a person who claims to be a man of God.

It is not surprising for an MP selected under the Tinkhundla system to insult the very same people who elevated him to such a high position. In fact such insults are a daily occurrence under Tinkhundla. We have seen MP introducing the IGSCE education without the consent of all stakeholders, but universities in South Africa that assists us in the fields such as engineering totally rejecting students from our country to enroll citing inferiority of this kind of education.

PUDEMO, in their Manifesto has stated its goal, to create a constitutional multi party democracy state where the government shall be based on the will of the people, and through the people’s representative organs influence and enjoy effective participation in the running of the country. This will ensure that leadership is always from the bottom, no one in parliament shall say what he/she wants without the mandate of the people.

To all HIV positive people, comrades and all those who belong to the human family, we urge you to follow the decision taken by the Treat Action Campaign (TAC) and the Swaziland Aids Support Organization, boycott everything from Myeni’s group. We cannot afford to support people like Myeni, wearing a Christian coat, but deep inside an arrogant monster.