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Friday 25 October 2024

Swaziland Newsletter No. 850 – 25 October 2024

 

Swaziland Newsletter No. 850 – 25 October 2024

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.


[Serbia] president shares army prowess with King

By Kings Office Respondents, eSwatini Observer, 23 October 2024

SOURCE 

President of Serbia Aleksander Vucic, on Monday hosted His Majesty King Mswati III to a brief ‘army day’, where a glimpse of the Serbian army prowess was put on show.

The army showcased some of its latest technology equipment to the king, demonstrating how artificial intelligence has emerged as the preferred weapon. He also had an opportunity to witness several combat drills by army personnel.

Accompanying the president at the Military Technical Centre were the Minister for Defence Bratislava Gasic, assistant Minister for Material Resources Nened Miloradovic and Chief of General Staff, General Hossilovic.

Later that day, His Majesty visited the Vlatacom Institute, which is a private science and research centre that develops software systems for the military, among other sectors.

It boasts of providing secure information and communication technology, critical asset protection and border control, applied mathematics and electronics with cryptography features, multi-sensor integration, biometrics, image and radio waves, intelligent signal processing, with implementation in identity management and surveillance devices and targeted systems.

Vladimir Cizel, founder of the institute, welcomed the king and expressed his deep love for Eswatini.

After a presentation on the work of the centre, His Majesty King Mswati III congratulated Cizel for sharing their success—having grown from humble beginnings to where they are today.

“This is due to your commitment and dedication. You have a strong, capable team and it is good to see advancement in technology, which is important for such an institute,” he said.

The king said the country looked forward to working with the institute to learn new things, particularly about how to transfer some of this technology back home.

To read more of this report, click here

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=22846


Is Israel moving its eSwatini embassy back from South Africa?

Middle East Monitor, 24 October 2024

SOURCE 

The tiny Southern African kingdom of Eswatini has diplomatic ties with Israel going back over five decades, Anadolu Agency reports.

Today, as Israel faces growing international isolation for its genocide in Gaza and escalating assault on Lebanon, Eswatini seems to be among the few countries moving ever closer to Tel Aviv.

This could, according to local media reports, soon lead to another major development: the return of an Israeli diplomatic mission to Africa’s last absolute monarchy.

There was an Israeli Embassy once in the capital, Mbabane, but that was shut down in 1994. Diplomatic relations between Eswatini and Israel have since been managed from South Africa’s administrative capital, Pretoria.

Relations between Israel and South Africa are currently strained, to say the least, with the latter leading the international legal charge against Israel’s Gaza genocide.

While that increases the likelihood of Israel actually planning an Eswatini mission move from South Africa, authorities from either side have remained tight-lipped over the plan.

In June, Newman Ntshangase, principal secretary at the Eswatini Foreign Ministry, told local media that consultations on the matter were “at a high level and in early stages”.

Information would be made public once it was “mutually concretised by both states”, he told local publication, Times Sunday, adding that Eswatini would view it as “a positive outcome”.

While there has been no official comment from Israel, Ntshangase told Anadolu that matters were still at the same point as the government has not “received new information with regards to Israeli’s foreign policy decision to reopen (a diplomatic mission) in Eswatini.”

He said Israel has the right to make the sovereign decision of where to station its diplomatic missions, which would be “done through a formal mutual consent process with the host nation.”

“Should there be any (progress), the Ministry will gladly bring it to the public domain,” he said.

Percy Simelane, spokesperson for Eswatini’s King Mswati III, also defended the country’s right to engage with Israel.

“Israel had an embassy in Eswatini even before the incumbent King,” he told Anadolu.

“Eswatini has a sovereign right to choose, which comes into force without having to be passed or approved by other nations. The Kingdom is at liberty to pick its diplomatic partners just like any other country.”

Thokozane Kunene, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Swaziland, slammed the idea and asserted that it was a reflection of the Eswatini government’s level of conflict with Israel.

“Israel has always had an important role in defending the Swazi regime, protecting its economic interests and helping it accumulate strategic territories,” Kunene told Anadolu.

He asserted that Israel has also “supported the regime by placing its agents in the executive, judiciary and security agencies.”

They have increased their “presence in the country, becoming more dominant to a point that they are literally running the regime,” he said.

The accusations have been denied by the Eswatini government.

To read more of this report, click here

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20241024-is-israel-moving-its-eswatini-embassy-back-from-south-africa/

 

Mzansi accuses Jacob Zuma of selling his daughters soul with marriage to King Mswati III

By Nomonde Simelane, Bona (South Africa)

SOURCE 

In September it was revealed that 21-year-old Nomcebo Zuma, the daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, was to become the 16th wife of Esatwini’s Monarch, King Mswati III. Upon the revelation of the news, some South Africans condemned both Mswati and Jacob Zuma for this, as they believed the marriage was purely transactional.

Seeing that King Mswati III is 56 years old, the age gap between Nomcebo and himself is a whopping 35 years, and although Nomcebo is of legal age, netizens have expressed their concern over the problematic nature of the union. Their traditional matrimonial ceremony took place at the Ludzidzini royal village in Lobamba, where approximately 5000 people were in attendance.

King Mswati has often made headlines and was criticised by his opposition and citizens of Eswatini for leading an extravagant lifestyle, including all 11 of his wives, while the people of Eswatini live in extreme poverty. The announcement of his marriage to Nomcebo has furthered the agenda of his villainous nature, as some have highlighted that the decision to marry someone 35 years his junior must not be taken lightly.

Coming to the King’s defence, Eswatini’s spokesman Alpheous Nxumalo claims that the King and his wife connect on a romantic level, and dismissed any suggestion that the union is for political gain between the two families.

“Love has no eyes to see or count age. Love happens between two people. It can happen between a person who is 100 years old and a person who is above the average of what is permitted constitutionally,” Alpheus says.

Unconvinced, netizens are adamant that the relationship is problematic and question how much of a say Nomcebo had in choosing her husband. Others cite the significant age gap as a cause for concern.

Speculations about Nomcebo’s eagerness, or lack thereof to marry the King have already begun, as users analyse the body language in any media of the couple that circulates, concluding that Nomcebo is not happy with the decision that was made to marry her to the King.

 

Billionaire King Mswati and his new wife Jacob Zuma’s daughter splash over R1million cash in Serbia

By Musa Mdluli, Swaziland News, 21 October, 2024

SOURCE 

SERBIA: King Mswati splashed over R1million cash on over one hundred(100) eSwatini University students studying in Serbia including those from South African and Burundi.

Each student who attended a party organized for the King to meet the students received eight thousand Rands(R8,000.00), the State owned Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services(EBIS) reported on Monday.

The King and his new wife Inkhosikati Nomcebo Zuma, the daughter to former South African President Jacob Zuma are in Serbia for a State visit.

On another note, eSwatini is facing shortage of drugs in public hospitals, dozens have died since the crisis erupted. 

The country is also facing an education crisis, schools are facing shortage of teachers and working equipment while University students in eSwatini are committing suicide amid Government failure to release allowances.

The University of Eswatini (UNESWA) was recently closed after the Eswatini Water Services Corporation(EWSC) terminated water supply pending payment of outstanding invoices.

But apart from that, the country is also facing a cash flow challenges, most civil servants are financially broke while Government struggles to pay suppliers, resulting to the collapse of indigenous businesses.


Billionaire King Mswati and his new wife Jacob Zuma’s daughter splashed over R1million cash in Serbia, gives each eSwatini, South African University students R8,000.00 amid shortage of drugs in public hospitals


Pensioners plan march against drugs shortage

By Siboniso Nkambule, Times of eSwatini (print edition), 24 October 2024 

MBABANE: The Swaziland Public Service Pensioners Association (SPSPA) General Secretary (GS), Dominic Nxumalo, says there is a need for pensioners to take a stand and march against the ongoing shortage of drugs in the country’s health facilities.

Nxumalo emphasised the urgent need for action, stating that pensioners must demand a consistent supply of medications in these facilities. It was noted that the lack of essential drugs has placed many lives at risk, and it is crucial for pensioners to advocate for their right to proper healthcare.

Nxumalo addressed SPSPA members in a meeting held at the Mbabane National Library yesterday.

This comes after nurses’ resolution to march and deliver a petition to the Prime Minister (PM), Russell Dlamini, and the Minister of Health, Mduduzi Matsebula, over the continuing health crisis.

The nurses, who are organised under the banner of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU), made this resolution during their recent national general council meeting at Shosholoza Conference Room in Manzini.

According to SWADNU Secretary General Mayibongwe Masangane, the meeting reflected that the issue of shortage of drugs dates back to 2016 and since then, emaSwati have been dying at their hands. He said at their workstations, they no longer treat people but offer words of comfort to those seeking medical attention.

This, he said, is because they do not have working tools and drugs. He said at times they see government issuing statements, which suggest that medical drugs have been delivered. He said those media statements are nothing but political statements. “This is because those drugs do not last even three weeks,” he said.

In that regard, he said the national general council decided that they should petition the PM and minister of Health. He said there was a proposal that they should engage the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) to lead the petition delivery, so that even the other concerned unions could join.

Nxumalo, when addressing the pensioners, said he thought about the deteriorating health system in the country. According to Nxumalo, when they visit hospitals, they do not get the required drugs.

He stated that this is another issue they would need to stand up for as pensioners.

“We would need to stand up and march to demand drugs and medication to be present at health facilities all the time. We will also be helping the youth,” Nxumalo said.

The GS explained that the health issue belongs to them. Adding, he shared that they need to discuss as the association’s branches, so that they could march against it and deliver a petition, in large numbers.

He mentioned that the recent petitions they delivered to the Ministry of Public Service and the Ministry of Finance went well and showed that they are respected and further feared.

Nxumalo said this meant that they could achieve a lot. Furthermore, he emphasised that members should not have fear when called to marches, as no one would assault a pensioner.

“In the future when we march, we should come out in large numbers,” he said.

 

‘Humanities field saturated, graduates unemployable’

By Sifiso Dlamini. eSwatini Observer, 20 October 2024

SOURCE 

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security says the decision to stop sponsoring the field of Humanities was informed by the National Skills Audit of 2022, which revealed that the graduates are unemployable.

The report, according to the ministry, also revealed that the elasticity of employment to growth appeared constrained by structural factors.

The decision, which comes into effect from the 2025/26 academic year, was announced on Tuesday and only affects students at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA).   

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Phila Buthelezi, said the skills audit outlined the opportunities and saturations in terms of human resource.

The minister revealed that Humanities graduates approached the ministry and complained that they were not employable unless they had a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), hence the reason to phase out the programme.

He further said the ministry had been assessing priority courses and determined that some of them had to be phased out because they were no longer relevant.

He also pointed out that during the graduation, the Vice Chancellor Justice Thwala, announced about 10 new courses that would be introduced in the next academic year, which was also part and parcel of the recommendations outlined in the skills audit report.

“We are also in the process of aligning with the industry needs,” the minister said.

When making the announcement, the minister said the decision to stop funding Humanities was part of a broader re-evaluation of government priorities in tertiary education funding.

To read more of this report, click here

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=22817

 

See also

eSwatini university steps up inclusion efforts with the opening of disability support center

https://www.voanews.com/a/eswatini-university-steps-up-inclusion-efforts-with-the-opening-of-disability-support-center-/7827379.

Crisis as UNESWA faces E8m water bill

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=22833

 

SWAZI MEDIA COMMENTARY

Find us:

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Thursday 17 October 2024

Swaziland Newsletter No. 849– 18 October 2024

 

Swaziland Newsletter No. 849– 18 October 2024

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.

 

People survive on boiled leaves - MP Marwick

By Phephile Motau, eSwatini Observer, 11 October 2024

SOURCE 

LOBAMBA: Lomdzala Member of Parliament (MP) Marwick Khumalo says people are surviving on boiled leaves because of hunger.

The MP was speaking at the House of Assembly on Wednesday during the debate on a motion directed to the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thuli Dladla on when they would start food distribution to the hungry Emaswati.

In her response, Dladla said food would be availed to 13 of the most vulnerable constituencies. She added that more rice would arrive in the country, and it would be distributed to 250 households per constituency.

The sentiments of the MP were shared by the DPM.  Khumalo said it was a fact that people were hungry. He said in their constituencies, people were calling everyday asking for food.

He said the contents of the DPM’s report were unacceptable as it was imperative that government reviewed the issue because Emaswati would accuse them of being uncaring.

“Unemployment rates have dramatically increased from 10 years ago and so have the poverty levels. People have lost their jobs more than in the past. We cannot then say food relief should be reduced,” he said.

Khumalo said the report was unacceptable, but the DPM should work with what she had. She said the process of distributing the food must be transparent and every MP should know what they would get to feed those in their constituencies.

Khumalo said the DPM should consider the matter when doing the supplementary budget.
“We are not being a welfare state, but it is our reality. People are boiling leaves, just to eat. The little we get must go to the people, but we want more, it is not enough,” Khumalo said.

He said he knew that the response of the DPM was based on available resources, but it was not even meeting half of the country’s requirements of food.

To read more of this report, click here

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=22738

 

Divert all funds to address health crisis - MPs

By Nonduduzo Kunene, Times of eSwatini, 10 October 2024

SOURCE 

LOBAMBA: Members of Parliament (MPs) have urged government to bring a loan Bill that will address the entire health crisis.

The legislators further called for the health crisis to be declared a disaster and that all funds should be diverted to deal with the crisis in the health system. The MPs noted that despite the E3 billion budget given to the Ministry of Health, there are still financial gaps that have to be filled by the budget, dating back to 10 years ago.  Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo said there have been a number of loans that government has negotiated and approved by Parliament.  He stated that there was a point in time where government brought a loan Bill that was meant to address the health crisis because it dated back years ago.

The MP said the entire health system needs a revamp and a loan could address the challenges. The call for a loan Bill to address the health crisis was also supported by LaMgabhi MP Sicelo Jele. Mhlangatane MP Madala Mhlanga noted that the minister said he took some medical supplies that were out of stock at Mbabane Government Hospital from lithocholic to continue with dialysis at the referral hospital. He said the rob Peter to pay Paul system will not work in the health sector, hence the need for lasting solutions.Zombodze Emuva MP Ntando Mkhonta urged the ministry to also root out the corruption that engulfs the sector.  He said with the issues that have surfaced regarding the supply of medical drugs and supplies, the loan could be depleted by the corruption within the ministry.  He said before Parliament could pass the loan Bill, corruption in the ministry needed to be dealt with.

Meanwhile, there was tension and emotions in Parliament yesterday as the Minister of Health, Mduduzi Matsebula, gave an update on the renal dialysis, theatre services and CT scan challenges. The MPs have urged government to take up a loan that will address all the health issues and the minister to get rid of heads of department and senior officials who are sabotaging the health system. During the sitting, after the minister’s update, the MPs underlined some points of his update, among them being that he had a busy night sorting out the situation after he learnt through enquiries that were made by the media, the Times of Eswatini, in particular, about the halted dialysis and theatre services.

To read more of this report, click here

http://www.times.co.sz/news/147486-divert-all-funds-to-address-health-crisis-mps.html

See also

Health crisis: nurses to march, petition PM, minister

http://www.times.co.sz/news/147557-health-crisis-nurses-to-march-petition-pm-minister.html

 

 

King Mswati’s Tinkhundla undemocratic regime in the political Intensive Care Unit (ICU), now surviving from hand to month as health crisis worsens

Opinion by Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 12 October 2024

SOURCE

With almost all the critical institutions of the State in crisis, the Tinkhundla undemocratic regime is now in the political Intensive Care Unit(ICU) and chances of survival or recovery are very slim.

The education, health and fire sectors have literally collapsed of course, with demotivated and financially broke civil servants.

But on Thursday, Health Minister Mduduzi Matsebula invited journalists to take him pictures while he was off-loading a small truck with some equipment, in yet another systematic staged political propaganda as the health crisis worsens.

Matsebula appeared to be solving a life threatening situation after kidney failure patients approached journalists of this Swaziland News raising an alarm and this, was after the Ministry of Health told them that, they won’t receive medical treatment amid shortage of drugs and working equipment.

That patients have started to desperately contact journalists is a crisis on its own, patients must visit health institutions with confidence that they will receive health-care but, that is no-longer the case in this country.

Health Minister Mduduzi Matsebula was merely playing politics by inviting journalists when off-loading those few small boxes, very soon the dialysis shortage of equipment problem will erupt again.

In fact, that was a desperate move by the regime to blind and mislead the people as if enough working equipment and drugs have arrived, the health crisis is deeper than we can imagine and this regime in the political ICU.

In fact this regime has been for years, surviving through the alleged ignorance of those who oppose it, some of these Tinkhundla critics fight this autocratic government but, they normally stagger whenever the political ground becomes fertile to enable them to overthrow this undemocratic regime and take over the country.

Now, key State institutions that are the pillars of any country being the health and education have collapsed, not to mention the Fire Department.

This means if another political unrest could erupt with protesters burning structures again, the country is not well equipped to control that situation except to use guns in killing innocent protesting civilians.

I sometimes see political activists shouting “Viva” and ask myself if they understand that, what they have been fighting for is already in their hands.

A majority of emaSwati are financially broke, angry and frustrated and they know that King Mswati’s regime is the source or their plight, all they need now is proper and reputable leadership to usher them into a new democratic dispensation.

I am saying this because as the editor,I interact with almost everyone including the State Intelligence Unit where I normally monitor and source confidential State information, I am privileged to know things that others don’t know, that’s the privilege of being an investigative journalist.

This country is in serious trouble because almost everyone is angry and frustrated against the same Tinkhundla regime, others are working for the same Government but they are against it hence the leaking of sensitive information.

But, let me once again appeal for a political dialogue to resolve the ongoing political crisis, our country is being destroyed because King Mswati is the only human being with a monopoly to think in this country, Government exist to please him.

Before the health system collapsed, Mswati constructed his own Manzana Royal Hospital and further established a Fire Department within his Palaces ,emaSwati are on their own as the socio-economic situation worsens.

King Mswati has literally destroyed this country, the Tinkhundla regime will never announce that it has collapsed, only the intelligent will analyze that based on the collapsed critical State institutions.

 

Draconian laws contributing to GBV – women rights activists

By Sifiso Dlamini, eSwatini Observer, 15 October 2024

SOURCE 

Parliamentarians and women rights activists say the country’s out-dated draconian laws are contributing towards perpetuating gender-based violence (GBV).

They have called for the speedy review of some of the country’s legislations such as the Marriage Act of 1964, Administration of Estate Act of 1902 and the Wills Act of 1955, among other out-dated legislations.

The need for the speedy review of the legislations was also raised during Sibaya, People’s Parliament, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu.

The former minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs said some of the country’s out-dated laws were no longer constitutional as they did not align with the Constitution of 2005.
The minister called for the review of the legislations in order to afford women equal rights to property.

Under the minister’s watch, government through the ministry of justice, piloted two notable bills in Parliament, being the Marriages Bill and Matrimonial Properties Bill, which sought to address some of the inconsistencies.

The proposed bills included provisions to abolish marital power held by husbands over their wives ability to contract and to litigate, as well as provisions for the equitable distribution and equal access of spouses to marital property.

The Marriages Act provides for only two grounds for divorce being adultery and witchcraft. However in the proposed Marriages Bill of 2022 which was piloted during the 11th Parliament, six new grounds for divorce were provided for, among which is impotence.

The National Health Service (NHS) defines impotence as erectile dysfunction, where a person becomes either unable to get an erection or unable to keep an erection for long enough to have sexual intercourse.

To read more of this report, click here

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=22750

 

King Mswati’s trip with Zuma’s daughter costs taxpayers R200m

Report Focus News, 15 October 2024

SOURCE 

King Mswati and Jacob Zuma daughter


King Mswati III of eSwatini’s upcoming overseas trip, including a visit to Italy, is estimated to cost taxpayers more than R200 million (£8.5 million), according to local media reports.

The king left the country on Sunday accompanied by his new wife, 21-year-old Inkhosikati Nomcebo Zuma, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma.

The Swaziland News reports that the costs include allowances for the royal delegation, private jet expenses, and spending money for the king and his wife. The royal couple will attend the World Food Forum in Italy before proceeding to other engagements.

When approached for comment, the king’s spokesperson, Percy Simelane, told local media that his office was not responsible for finances or allowances for the king and his delegation. He referred inquiries to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

King Mswati III married Nomcebo Zuma in July 2023, just months after first seeing her at a celebration last year. The marriage has drawn attention due to the connection with former South African President Jacob Zuma.

The cost of this trip is likely to reignite debate about royal expenses in eSwatini, where about 60% of the 1.2 million population lives below the poverty line. King Mswati III, 55, who is Africa’s last absolute monarch, has faced criticism in the past for his lavish lifestyle amid widespread poverty in the country.

Local sources suggest that members of Zuma’s family have been included in the delegation, allegedly to ensure the young wife doesn’t feel lonely during the trip. However, this has not been officially confirmed.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Affairs Minister, Pholile Dlamini-Shakantu, who is part of the king’s delegation, were unavailable for comment at the time of reporting.

 

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Thursday 10 October 2024

Swaziland Newsletter No. 848 – 11 October 2024

 

Swaziland Newsletter No. 848 – 11 October 2024

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.

 

eSwatini groups call for ‘hit list’ of game rangers accused of shooting poaching suspects with impunity

By Nokukhanya Musi, Voice of America, 8 October 2024

SOURCE 

MBABANE: The main opposition party in Eswatini is compiling a “hit list” of game rangers in response to what it says are state-sanctioned murders of suspected poachers. Communities have been urged to assist in identifying rangers involved in the killings. As tensions mount over poaching-related deaths in Eswatini, the fear of violence looms large.

Although there is no definitive count of suspected poachers killed in Eswatini’s game parks, the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs estimates that dozens are slain each year.

However, Eswatini’s opposition parties allege hundreds of families have been impacted by these deaths and have called for a compilation of a game ranger “hit list.”

Velephi Mamba, treasurer general of main opposition party PUDEMO, one of the groups calling for possible violence against the rangers, said the news of the list of game rangers that was announced a week ago still stands. In fact, he said, it’s an ongoing issue. Mamba said his party request that all Swazis compile a list of the names of game rangers that are killing our people.

Amid the growing controversy, legislators and human rights activists in Eswatini recently demanded an urgent review of the Game Act of 1991. They say the law allows game rangers in the southern African kingdom to shoot suspected poachers in national parks with little or no consequence.

Human rights lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi is among those calling for revision of the law. He said game rangers need to make greater efforts to arrest suspected poachers and bring them to court, rather than killing or torturing them.

To read more of this report, click here

https://www.voanews.com/a/eswatini-groups-call-for-hit-list-of-game-rangers-accused-of-shooting-poaching-suspects-with-impunity/7814647.html

 

eSwatini opposition leader discharged after alleged poisoning

TRT Afrika, 5 October 2024

SOURCE 

Leader of an opposition group in Eswatini has been discharged from the hospital after what the group claims was an attempted assassination through poisoning.

Mlungisi Makhanya, president of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) made his first public appearance since the alleged poisoning during a Friday press briefing which also featured PUDEMO’s deputy president, Wandile Dludlu.

“Warm and revolutionary greetings to the Swazi nation and the progressive forces. We take this opportunity to officially update the nation and the world that our president Mlungisi Makhanya has been officially discharged from the hospital. We thank God, the medical team, and all those involved in his care,” Dludlu said.

“The president will now be carefully monitored by medical professionals in a secured place.”

Makhanya was reportedly poisoned by someone close to him, a political ally, according to PUDEMO.

The organization believes the poisoning is part of a broader conspiracy by the Eswatini regime to silence “pro-democracy advocates.”

South African Communist Party General Secretary Solly Mapaila called for the immediate arrest of the suspect.

To read more of this report, click here

https://trtafrika.com/africa/eswatini-opposition-leader-discharged-after-alleged-poisoning-18216323

 

Youth leads to protect the environment and create livelihoods

UN Development Program, 6 October 2024

SOURCE 

With invaluable support from the GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP), young people in Eswatini are leading and spearheading efforts to protect the environment and create sustainable livelihoods for themselves and women in their communities. To raise awareness and mobilise additional support for environmental initiatives aimed at reducing plastic waste – often found in rangelands and aquatic spaces, where it poses health risks to both humans and livestock – the Youth Sustainable Development Centre (YSDC) organised a field day at Millennium Park, Manzini, on October 3.

It brought together various youth- and women-led community organisations, and civil society organisations, all united in their commitment to showcase their innovative waste management initiatives. 

YSDC is one of 20 NGOs benefiting from a $20,000 GEF-SGP grant received by the Coordinating Assembly of NGOs (CANGO), aimed at building the capacity of local organisations to tackle plastic pollution using a circular economy approach. The GEF-SGP, established by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in 1992, supports communities and local civil society organisations (CSOs) in addressing critical environmental challenges. In Eswatini, the GEF-SGP was launched in 2021 and has since disbursed USD 635,000 to support 20 projects and develop the national programme strategy. UNDP has partnered with GEF to provide oversight and administrative support for the SGP.

Through the GEF-SGP grant, the YSDC is mobilising communities, especially the youth and women, to embrace waste management practices, including reducing, recycling, and reusing. Speaking at the event, YSDC Executive Director Nokuthula Mamba expressed her gratitude to the GEF-SGP, CANCO, and UNDP for supporting community-based organisations in driving innovation and waste management.  

Models showcasing outfits made from recycled waste. UNDP/Skhulile Shabalala


To read more of this report, click here

https://www.undp.org/eswatini/news/youth-leads-protect-environment-and-create-livelihoods

 

University of eSwatini closed amid failure by Government to release students’ allowances a few days after Chancellor King Mswati graced graduation

By Musa Mdluli, Swaziland News, 8 October, 2024

SOURCE 

MBABANE: Lindiwe Nhlabatsi, the Acting Registrar of the University of Eswatini has announced the closure of the institution of higher learning, after students engaged in a protest this week demanding their delayed allowances from Government.

The closure of the University comes a few days after Chancellor King Mswati, an absolute Monarch, graced a Graduation Ceremony within the institution of higher learning.

But his Government has been systematically destroying the University by refusing to release allowances for students in time, while on the other hand, demonstrating reluctance to fund operations of the institution resulting to consistent delays in the payment of salaries for Lecturers and other workers.

“Following the continued class boycott at the Kwaluseni and Luyengo Campuses, the Senate has taken a decision to close the University with immediate effect as follows: Students are expected to vacate the University by 3.00pm today, Tuesday 8th October 2024”, reads the memo in part released by the Acting Registrar.

Eswatini is facing an education crisis, amid Government failure to fund education, even schools are facing shortage of teachers and working equipment.

See also

UNESWA a national asset - King

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=22699

Lame game erupts over stalled E450m UNESWA project

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=22701

 

Sex workers reveal shortage of condoms

By Bongiwe Dlamini, eSwatini Observer, 9 October 2024

SOURCE 

SEX workers based in areas around Matsapha have revealed that there is a shortage of condoms in the location where they ply their trade.

As a result of this anomaly, they claimed they had resorted to sometimes reusing condoms.
They said they had been engaging in this risky behaviour for about two months now.

Although condoms are usually available even in public spaces like toilets and distributed, the sex workers attributed their behaviour to the lack of condoms close to their places of work.

According to some of the sex workers, condoms were usually availed to them by organisations such as Population Services International (PSI) and the Voice of Our Voices (VoOV).

The latter is a non-governmental organisation, whose mission is to build an effective long-term community response to issues faced by sex workers in Eswatini.

When asked why they did not go to any public toilet or health centre where the condoms were available, the workers said they did not have time to leave their places of work as they conduct trade even during the day.

Some said they did not have the money to travel from Matsapha to other places for the condoms or even HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).  The HIV PEP is a short course of HIV medicines that needs to be taken within three days after exposure to HIV to prevent the virus from taking hold in the body.

Explaining how they conduct their business under the circumstances, the sex workers said more often than not, they did not use protection, which they claimed to have communicated to their clients.

To read more of this report, click here

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=22711

 

Cancer fears amid shortage of pap smear

By Nonduduzo Kunene, Times of eSwatini, 4 October 2024

SOURCE 

LOBAMBA: More women are at risk of dying of late-diagnosed cervical cancer as public health facilities have not been conducting pap smears for over two years due to shortages of reagents.

Maseyisini Member of Parliament (MP) Nokuthula Dlamini has moved that the Minister of Health, Mduduzi Matsebula, shall investigate the shortage of reagents used to conduct pap smear. Pap smear is a procedure in which a small brush is used to gently remove cells from the surface of the cervix and the area around it so they can be checked under a microscope for cervical cancer or cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer.

The MP moved that the minister of Health initiated an investigation to ascertain the causes of shortages of critical drugs and medical consumables for theatre patients, which among others, are reagents for pap smears, sutures, bandages (primapore bandages), paracetamol IV adco and other related drugs and medical consumables for theatre patients. “The minister must be further directed to table a comprehensive report detailing findings and lasting solutions to address the shortages. The honourable minister should table the report within seven days after the adoption of the motion by the House,” she said.

To read more of this report, click here

http://www.times.co.sz/news/147398-cancer-fears-amid-shortage-of-pap-smear.html

 

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