PRESS STATEMENT, 30 MAY 2012 - SDP REJECTS UNDER-HANDED TACTICS OF THE MSWATI III REGIME

PRESS STATEMENT, 30 MAY 2012 - SDP REJECTS UNDER-HANDED TACTICS OF THE MSWATI III REGIME

The Swaziland government and the Monarch continue to behave as though they are beyond reproach in this new move to form a government-aligned Trade Union, yet they de-registered TUCOSWA, the Trade Union Federation formed and massively supported by the workers in Swaziland. Government has been outright with its endorsement of this new Union.

The Swaziland Diaspora Platform (SDP) is in disbelief at the fact that government was attempting to ensure their puppet "trade union" attend the tripirtate ILO conference currently in session in Geneva.

Reports emanating from Swaziland are that the new "trade union," styling itself under the banner Swaziland Workers Economic Empowerment Union, is supposedly cross-cutting in its scope and it is not clear which sector it organises. Its leadership includes, amongst others, well known traitors of the Swazi struggle and former Mbabane Councilor Jabulani Nxumalo.

It must be stated from the onset that the SDP is not against the formation of any organisation to pursue worker's interested or political interests but what is worrying about this "trade union" is the speed at which it has been registered by the same government that de-registered TUCOSWA only a few months ago as well as its ambitious attempts to represent workers at the Geneva conference despite that they are a mere union and not a federation. 

The formation of this new union reminds us of the Workers Union of SA (WUSA), an Inkatha alligned federation with overt apartheid backing to counter the emergence of COSATU in 1985. This led to mass killings of COSATU members in KZN.WUSA did well to infiltrate and divide the liberation movement and helped to keep blacks squabbling amongst themselves while the apartheid regime remained strong.

We are alive to these tactics.

Given the faces already associated with this union as well its open support for and from government we are correct to be worried about its intentions.

It has been reliably gathered that TUCOSWA leaders were this weekend informed that this new union had sent a letter to ILO requesting recognition to attend the conference in Geneva. Their email was copied to Inviolata Chinyangarara based at the ILO office in  Pretoria. Their request was, as expected, turned down.

We request all democracy activists to be on the look out for such mushrooming formations which may take our eyes off the ball. We need to exercise more caution and vigilance as the regime engages in desperate measures to gain legitimacy. This is common with all dying regimes.We remain unshaken in our support for TUCOSWA as the credible and reliable workers representative and continue to call for its registration. 

ISSUED BY:

THE SWAZILAND DIASPORA PLATFORM

PRESS STATEMENT, 25 MAY 2012: AFRICA DAY: A RENEWED PLEDGE FOR AFRICAN SOLIDARITY IN PURSUIT OF A DEMOCRATIC SWAZILAND & AFRICA

PRESS STATEMENT, 25 MAY 2012: AFRICA DAY: A RENEWED PLEDGE FOR AFRICAN SOLIDARITY IN PURSUIT OF A DEMOCRATIC SWAZILAND & AFRICA

On this Africa Day, the Swaziland Diaspora Platform pledges support and solidarity with all people's in Africa seeking freedom, democracy, and responsive, accountable governments. The Swaziland Diaspora Platform is committed to contributing to an Africa that promotes equitable access to resources and opportunities for all Africans for the sustainable development of our great continent.  The SDP recognizes that as long as Africans do not stand up for each other, positive development and advancement will continue to favor very few on the continent.

Before Africa Day was known as Africa Freedom Day, the significance of the Day was to reflect the aspirations of people to break free from the chains of colonial bondage by dint of a collective will. Also, it was meant to help raise political awareness around the world about the state of affairs in Africa and the self-determination of its people.

Today we celebrate Africa Day by reflecting on how far Africa has come since colonial days, and what can be done to further strengthen African unity in a global economy that still extracts from Africa without any positive and developmental residual value to Africans. 

The painful reality is that Africans are the main impediments to their own freedom.  We re-elect leaders that are corrupt, our leaders chose policies that are not favorable to African development and redistribution of wealth, and we stand by and allow neighbouring states to be run to the ground by illegitimate and undemocratic governments.

The Swaziland Diaspora Platform in the main is in pursuit of a democratic Swaziland, that places human rights, social justice and economic equity at it's core. But the Swaziland Diaspora Platform recognizes that freedom for Swazis will be possible with support from other African countries.  It therefore follows that Swaziland Diaspora Platform must actively support all people's who have limited rights all over the continent. 

Only through solidarity and a common vision for all Africans can we build a continent that ensures all African resources and government policies favour African people for generations to come.  We call on all Africans to unite in the fight for a democratic Swaziland, free from the autocratic government of King Mswati III!


ISSUED BY:


Swaziland Diaspor Platform


Contacts
Email:                    swazidiaspora@gmail.com
Twitter:                 @swazidiaspora
Spokesperson: Ms Ntombenhle Khathwane
                              +27 72 327 6497

INVITATION TO DEBATE ON THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF THE TINKHUNDLA SYSTEM

The Swaziland Diaspora Platform cordially invites Swazis to a discussion and debate session. As per the mandate of the SDP, promotion of engagement and reflection on issues pertaining to the social, economic and political situation in Swaziland is a key pillar. Issue to be covered in the discussion, but not limited to, are: 1. Analysis and definition of the political economy of the Tinkhundla system 2. The history of the political economy of the Tinkhundla system 3. The current drivers of the political economy of the Tinkhundla system 4. The blockages and challenges to democratization as posed by the political economy of the Tinkhunlda system. A famous definition of economics is that of Lionel Robbins Ž1932, p. 16., ‘‘Economics is the science which studies human behavior as a relationship between ends and scarce means that have alternative uses.’’ If economics is the study of the optimal use of scarce resources, political economy begins with the political nature of decisionmaking and is concerned with how politics will affect economic choices in a society. Society should be defined broadly to include not only countries or other such jurisdictions, but also firms, social groups, or other organizations. The discussion will be taking place as follows: Date: 12 May 2012 Time: 14h00 Venue: 2nd Floor, Cosatu House, cnr Simmonds and Jorissen Streets, Joburg Looking forward to a good discussion with you all!