People in
Swaziland have been asked not to urinate in public during King Mswati III’s
birthday celebrations.
It is one
of the things Manzini Municipal Council wants as it tries to mask the poor
state of Swaziland’s main commercial city.
It is to
host the so-called 50-50 celebrations marking the King’s 50th birthday and the 50th
anniversary of Swaziland’s Independence from Great Britain on 19 April 2018.
A number of foreign
dignitaries and tourists are expected to visit Manzini. In the run-up the
Manzini Municipal
Council has told its residents in a flyer, ‘The roads, both
surfaced and gravel, will be in the most perfect condition, there will be no
overgrown vegetation along the streets, all traffic lights will be in good
working order, the city will be exquisitely decorated and all high mast and
street lights will be functioning perfectly.’
It goes
on to tell residents, ‘There is a number of things you can do. Let’s get into
the 50/50 mood and positively change our behaviour.’
It says
the city expects, ‘hordes of tourists from within and outside the borders’ and
adds, ‘It would be a huge blow to have them experience an unhygienic shopping
experience. Therefore, let’s make it a point that our business premises and our
employees meet the acceptable health and hygiene standards. Even the quality of
the food that we sell; let us ensure it’s of the highest quality. This also
applies to informal traders who are selling fruit, vegetables and other items
on the streets and bus rank.’
It goes
on, ‘Make use of the litter bins available on the streets and, by all means,
avoid littering. Council also pleads with the business sector to stop the illegal
practice of emptying their garbage bins into street litter bins.’
It tells
residents, ‘No matter how pressed you are, please do not urinate in public. By
urinating in public you do not only risk arrest but bring indignity to our
beloved city.’
The 50-50
celebration centres on King Mswati who rules Swaziland as sub-Saharan Africa’s
last absolute monarch. Although seven in
ten of his estimated 1.1 million subjects have incomes less than the equivalent
of US$2 per day, E89 million (US$7.5 million) has already been
spent on a fleet of BMW cars for dignities to ride in.
It is not reported who will foot the bill for the
road and other improvements the Council promises. The celebrations take
place at a time of severe budget restraints. King Mswati has told his subjects money can only
be released for essential spending.
See also
50/50
CELEBRATION BUSTS BUDGET
POLICE FORCED TO PAY FOR 50/50 JUBILEE
CALL FOR CASH TO FUND 50/50 CELEBRATIONS
50/50: LEARN LESSON OF PAST DISASTER
https://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2018/02/5050-learn-lesson-of-past-disaster.html
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