News from and about Swaziland, compiled by
Global Aktion, Denmark (www.globalaktion.dk)
in collaboration with Swazi Media Commentary (www.swazimedia.blogspot.com),
and sent to all with an interest in Swaziland - free of charge.
State must regulate media – MP Welcome
By Phephile Motau, eSwatini Observer, 29
November 2023
Former journalist Mbabane East
Member of Parliament, Welcome Dlamini, said the State should regulate the
media.
Dlamini, who also is the
President of the Swaziland National of Journalists (SNAJ), was speaking
yesterday afternoon during the second day of the parliamentarians’ five-day
induction conference at the Happy Valley Hotel.
This was after a presentation
by Chairman of the Editor’s Forum and Eswatini Observer’s Managing Editor,
Mbongeni Mbingo, who presented on the relationship between the media and
Parliament.
The parliamentarians showed a
lot of interest in this presentation as many wanted to comment.
Mbingo had raised that since
the enactment of the Media Council Bill about 20 years ago; the media had not
been successful in regulating itself.
Dlamini said the media had a
chance to regulate itself for 20 years and it had failed and this was because
media houses did not see eye to eye.
The legislator said
journalists from the Times of Eswatini were not reported on in Eswatini
Observer and vice versa because of this adding that they had failed to come
up with funds for the media complaints commission.
“Since you have failed to
self-regulate, how about government brings back State regulation because you
have failed to regulate yourself for over 20 years now,” Dlamini said.
To read more of
this report, click here
http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=21576
‘I
will lobby international journalists should the State consider regulating the
media’, says editor
By
Bongiwe Dlamini, Swaziland News, 30 November, 2023
MBABANE: Zweli Martin Dlamini, the editor
of the Swaziland News says, he will lobby international journalists to
oppose Mbabane East Member of Parliament (MP) Welcome Dlamini’s sentiments
urging the State to regulate the media.
Dlamini said even though the State
regulation will not affect this publication as it is registered in South
Africa, he was eager to see the media in eSwatini operating freely without any
influence from the State particularly because, the Swaziland News will
eventually have an office in eSwatini.
“I will not sit down and relax just
because this won’t affect the Swaziland News, the media is an
institution with different owners including government. Each media house
whether it’s the Times, Observer, Eswatini TV or Channel S is important
because it diversity the flow of information, it is important. There are
stories that could be covered by the Observer, the Times or
Channel S that cannot be covered by the Swaziland News. On the other
hand, there are stories that could be covered by the Swaziland News that
cannot be covered by other media houses. But, the public needs all the
information even if it’s weather forecast. So, no media house is important than
the other, we need diversity of views and information. We can say the Observer
is pro-government or Tinkhundla but the truth is; the public wants to know what
government is saying or doing and the Observer fills that vacuum,” said the
editor.
On another note, the editor thanked Eswatini
Observer Managing Editor Mbongeni Mbingo for defending the media before
Members of Parliament (MPs), he pledged to play his part at international level
should government dare regulate the media. He said editors compete for stories
and clash sometimes but, their common interest is the independence of the media
and the public and should anything emerge threatening the “common interest”,
they will speak in one voice and rebuke it.
No freedom of speech for Swazi widows
Opinion by Eugene Dube, Swati Newsweek 26 November,
2023
MANZINI: As inequality
continues to exists in Eswatini widows' rights including freedom of expression
have been greatly undermined.
Multitudes of Swazi widows
face both physically and verbal attacks as their voices continue to be
infringed upon at Eswatini and other parts of Southern African region.
These widows are voiceless,
during their bereavement season they are not allowed to be in any discussions
or in any conflict involvement. On the other hand, the Commonwealth Freedom of
expression Charter promotes universal rights regardless of gender, race, and
religious ethnic group. “Everyone has a right to freedom of expression, which
includes the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all
kinds through any media and regardless of frontiers”.
In Eswatini a widow is
regarded as an inferior member of society. Most of her rights are taken from
her by in-laws.
These restrictions include
limitations to move around freely in public places.
A widow in Swaziland is not
allowed in a national school or to sit in the front row in some churches.
In a previous interview
Sikelela Dlamini, the former Secretary General of the Swaziland National
Association of Teachers (SNAT) confirmed that teachers who are wearing mourning
gowns are not allowed to teach in national schools linked to the Royal family.
Dlamini added, "Yes
teachers wearing mourning gowns are not allowed to teach in national schools.
This has always been a practice ever since and is a gross violation of human
rights."
A widow’s freedom of
expression is taken away from her as she can’t speak in public even if it is
for the benefit of the larger society.
They are not allowed to visit
areas like government offices, palaces.
In some churches they are not
allowed to speak while wearing morning gowns.
A widow is not allowed to
address a Chief or Indvuna whilst in mourning gowns because the latter
represent the king in communities.
A widow’s voice is not heard
and this is attributed to culture and patriarchy.
As country we need new laws
which can protect the interests of the widows.
MPs
told: you are to blame
By
Phephile Motau, eSwatini Observer, 28 November 2023
Former ambassador, Njabu Gwebu, has blamed
parliamentarians for portraying a negative picture of the country to the
international community.
Gwebu yesterday educated parliamentarians
about etiquette during their Induction Conference held at the Happy Valley
Hotel.
She said those who caused people to speak
badly about the country were parliamentarians, making an example of a
legislator who accused judges of being corrupt saying they were bought, a
statement which was captured and highlighted by all media in bold headlines.
In the countries where they were
stationed, Gwebu said diplomats were called to explain issues that appeared in
local newspapers and they had to defend the country.
To read more of this report, click
here
http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=21568
PM’s
statement sets Govt policy
By
Mfanukhona Nkambule, eSwatini News, 25 November 2023
In his policy
statement, Russell Dlamini, the PM, touched on key performance
indicators, that might inform his administration’s strategic plan. He
committed himself to the following programmes:
Formulation and
implementation of a short to medium-term plan anchored on the Sibaya
submissions;
Development of a
long term plan, grand plan. The Grand plan will seek to modernise the country
based on the Tinkhundla System as a vehicle for development;
The Tinkhundla
Administration and Development will be strengthened institutionally.
Long term plan to
incorporate country’s socio-economic development model and the investment
models will be at the centre of government’s plans;
Transformation of
both economic and social outlook through investment attraction and job
creation.
Create an
environment that will attract investment, foster exponential growth, and
nurture innovation ultimately ensuring sustainable job opportunities and
well-being for all;
Government to work
towards a society where every citizen, including persons with disabilities,
women and children as well as the elderly feel safe and valued.
Government to
improve the education curricula to reflect our African values and instill a
winning mindset.
Strengthening of
vocational institutions curricula with business acumen.
Government to
strengthen the healthcare system by finding a lasting solution to the current
crisis and by strategically increasing the focus on preventive health.
Government will
give due attention to social services on which the poor and vulnerable depend;
Agriculture’s
potential will be harnessed to employ many of the unemployed youth. This will
be through large projects of commercialisation, mechanisation and building
strong market systems that offer attractive returns to individual farmers.
Government
to ensure that agricultural systems are adapted to climate change while
fostering resilience and ensuring food security and sovereignty;
Every sector and
government department will be integrated into the plan to attain the desired
growth.
ICT, tourism,
mining and manufacturing, among other important sectors, will receive
appropriate attention and investment from government;
Infrastructure
development plans will be ambitious and reflective of the mindset of thinking
big.
With a majority of
people predicted to live in cities, the future is urban, and it is critical
that government builds resilient infrastructure that is long lasting.
To
read more of this report, click here
http://www.times.co.sz/news/142768-pm%E2%80%99s-statement-sets-govt-policy.html
‘I
am under surveillance. Everywhere I go, around my residence premises, and workplace
premises, I met State Security Officers,’: Sibusiso Dlamini
By
Eugene Dube, Swati Newsweek, 28 November, 2023
LOBAMBA: There is no freedom of speech in
Eswatini?
African United Democratic Party Secretary
General Sibusiso Dlamini who spoke bravely during Sibaya National discussion
might be in danger.
Dlamini confirmed that members of the
Royal Eswatini Government have been monitoring him after his speech he made at
the recent Sibaya People’s Parliament.
“I am under surveillance. Everywhere I go,
around my Residence premises, and work place premises, I met State Security
Officers,” said the AUDP leader.
Dlamini urged the King to allow the
Parliament to elect the prime minister. People who have been calling for an
elected PM have been put in prison.
Kings emabutfo including Sifiso Mashampu
Khumalo grabbed the microphone while Dlamini was speaking.
Mthandeni Dube, Gawuzela Simelane and
Bacede Mabuza greatly popularised the idea of having an elected PM in
Swaziland.
Mabuza and Dube were arrested and charged.
Simelane was forced to flee into exile.
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