In anticipation of the 40/40 celebrations that take place in Swaziland early next month I have been looking back at newspapers from the time the kingdom gained its independence from Great Britain in 1968.
As readers will already know Swaziland’s present king, Mswati III decided that this year his subjects should not only celebrate the anniversary of independence, but also the king’s own 40th birthday, which occurred in April this year – hence the ‘40-40’ celebrations.
Reading the newspapers from 1968 at the time of the independence (as far as I know no newspaper reported the birth of the king) one thing that shines through is the optimism of the age. This is true not only from the Times of Swaziland (as to be expected from what was then the only newspaper published in Swaziland) but from newspapers across the world.
The reports make sad reading when you consider what has happened to Swaziland in the 40 years since independence.
I’ll write about some of the local and international coverage at another time, but for now I want to look at what the Times was saying about itself and its own role in the kingdom.
The Times, which only published once a week in those days, had a special edition on 6 September 1968, in which among other articles it wrote about its commitment to ‘the betterment of the kingdom’.
I’d be interested whether today’s journalist at the Times (or any other journalists in Swaziland) recognises themselves from this statement from 1968.
The Times of Swaziland fully supports the king [Sobhuza II] and the Government while reserving the right to offer constructive criticism.
We support all local industry and the advancement of local trade. These are the duties of any free and worthwhile newspaper in a democracy.
The betterment of the Kingdom of Swaziland and improvements in the lot of its inhabitants will always be the priority and we shall not fail in our task of reporting all such legislation and beneficial agreements that will help to achieve that end.
Neither shall we hesitate to report any other views expressed by those outside government, even if they differ from the official viewpoint. The main condition governing the publication of those views will be to answer the vital question: is it good for Swaziland?
Justice must not only be done it must be seen to be done. The courts of Swaziland are famous for their impartiality and wisdom of decision. The Times of Swaziland believes implicitly in a free judiciary and will carry in its columns reports of judgements that are essential to the preservation of the ideals of law and order.
No man, no matter what his rank or position, is free from the rule of law in our kingdom. If a man commits a misdemeanour, and if it is in the public interest that a report shall appear, then it will.
We believe in the future of Swaziland. We believe in the King and in the Cabinet and Government, for we believe they are honest men of integrity who love their country, and who want to do their best for it.
We offer then our support, and pray that with guidance from the Almighty, they will continue to make decisions for the benefit of all the people of Swaziland.
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