Students in Swaziland are set to protest against the
‘extravagant spending’ of the 50/50 celebrations to mark the King’s birthday
and the anniversary of Independence from Britain.
The protest is due to take place on 12 April 2018, the
anniversary of the proclamation that turned Swaziland from a democracy into a
kingdom ruled by an absolute monarch.
In a
statement (14 February 2018), the Swaziland National
Union of Students (SNUS) said, ‘The National Executive Committee noted two
upcoming national events in the terms of double celebration (50/50 celebration)
and National Elections as projects that has been historically synonymous with
corruption and extravagant spending and depriving the people fundamental social
services in the process. In accordance with the 2018 theme, the NEC resolved to
stage a protest on the 12th of April against extravagant spending and
corruption.’
Details of the protest have still to be finalised.
The 50/50 celebrations are to mark the 50th
birthday this year of King Mwsati III, sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute
monarch, and the 50th anniversary of Independence from Britain. It
has already been announced that celebrations will take place on 19 April at Mavuso
Trade and Exhibition Centre.
A budget
of the equivalent of US$1.7 million
has been given by the government. The Taiwan Government has donated US$1.3
million.
When similar celebrations took place in 2008 the cost
of the so-called 40/40 celebrations overran
by E32.6 million (about US$5 million at the then exchange rate). E17 million
was budgeted but it ended up costing ‘at least’ E50.2 million. The exact figure
is uncertain.
The celebrations took place
at a time when Swaziland was under the pressure of savage financial cuts,
imposed by the International Monetary Fund, after years of mismanagement of the economy by successive Swazi governments –
all handpicked by King Mswati.
The intended SNUS protest is set for 12 April. This is
an important date in Swaziland as it was on this day in 1973 that King Mswati’s
father King Sobuza II issued a Royal
Decree that banned all political parties and put all
legislative, executive and judicial power in the hands of the King. Despite a Constitution
that came into effect in 2006, the Decree has not been withdrawn.
Protests are held each year on the anniversary of 12
April.
See also
50/50:
LEARN LESSON OF PAST DISASTER
APRIL
12 2012
https://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/april%2012%202012
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