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. The newsletter is also available online on the Swazi Media Commentary blogsite.
The rising case of hunger in eSwatini
Borgen
Magazine, 9 April 2025
TACOMA: The Kingdom of Eswatini (known as
Swaziland until 2018) is a tiny (approximately 1.2 million population)
landlocked African country, mostly surrounded by South Africa, with 20% of its
border a mountainous border with Mozambique. The country was administered as a
high commission territory by the U.K. from 1903 until it became independent in
1968.
Issues affecting Eswatini’s quality of life include a
weak and worsening economy, the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the world,
climate challenges, persistent food insecurity and poverty.
The Global Hunger Index 2024 reports a 37%
decrease in Eswatini’s GHI score over the past two dozen years, moving the
country’s rating from a (low) Serious level to a (mid) Moderate ranking,
74th out of the 127 countries ranked. Of the four indicators comprising
this ranking, wasting of children under 5 is very low, the undernourished
population is low (12.4%), mortality of children under 5 is medium and stunting
of children under 5 is high (20%).
At the same time, the Global Nutrition
Report notes that Eswatini is “on course” for global nutrition targets for
childhood stunting and childhood wasting, as well as childhood overweight and
exclusive breastfeeding. Some progress has been made in achieving the low birth weight target. Only anemia of women of
childbearing age is indicated as showing no progress or worsening. (The
remaining seven of 13 targets are “off course.”)
Many Swazis are chronically food insecure.
The most recent tracking of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification
(IPC), a tool used to improve food security, reported that an estimated 20% of
the population experienced acute food insecurity—Crisis (IPC Phase 3)—from June
– September 2024, which was predicted to increase to 22% for October 2024-March
2025, with an additional 34,400 people in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency). Key drivers
were seen as extended dry spells, and reduced incomes along with increased food
prices. In addition to humanitarian support and emergency grants and subsidies,
IPC recommends working with smallholder farms to improve crop management practices, including access to “climate-smart
production technologies.” IPC also suggests implementing nutrition
interventions to address malnutrition among women and children.
To read more of this report, click here
https://www.borgenmagazine.com/hunger-in-eswatini/
Trump
hits pause on global tariffs: what does it mean for eSwatini?
By
Nomfanelo Maziya, eSwatini Observer, 10 April 2025
US President Donald Trump has unexpectedly
put a hold on the worldwide tariffs he recently announced. This reversal comes
after a week of considerable turbulence in international markets, triggered by
the initial tariff pronouncements.
Despite an initial show of firm stance,
the President conceded to the decision early Wednesday morning, a move
seemingly prompted by mounting pressure and instability that even rippled
through typically stable bond markets.
The announcement of this 90-day pause (with the notable exception of increased
tariffs on China, set at 125 per cent) was made via the President's social
media platform, Truth Social. The US administration is framing this as a
strategic maneuver to encourage nations to engage in negotiations aimed at
reducing the American trade deficit. A White House spokesperson suggested that
the pause is a calculated part of a broader “art of the deal” that some
observers might have underestimated.
Global markets responded positively to this news, with significant surges in
major indices like the Nasdaq, Dow Jones, and S&P 500. The President
himself acknowledged the earlier market jitters, contrasting them with the
confidence of other groups he addressed at the White House.
What Could This Mean for Eswatini?
Eswatini, as a small, open economy deeply
intertwined with global trade, would likely experience a degree of relief from
this pause in worldwide tariffs, according to a local economist.
They say if these tariffs had been
implemented broadly, Eswatini’s exports to various markets could have faced
increased costs, potentially impacting their competitiveness. “The pause offers
a temporary reprieve from this direct threat. Key sectors like sugar, textiles,
and any manufactured goods destined for countries that might have been subject
to the tariffs could see continued access without immediate new levies,” they
said.
The positive reaction in major global
markets shows potential for increased stability in the international economic
environment.
“This stability can indirectly benefit Eswatini by supporting demand in its key
trading partners, such as South Africa, which is closely linked to the global
economy. A less volatile global market can foster more predictable trade flows
and investment sentiment,” they explained.
Global tariffs can sometimes influence
commodity prices. While the direct impact on Eswatini's commodity exports (like
sugar) might be complex, “a more stable global trade environment could prevent
sharp negative price fluctuations that could harm Eswatini’s revenue”.
See also
Tariffs might disturb eSwatini-US
trade relations - Economist
https://www.pressreader.com/eswatini/eswatini-observer-9ZB3/20250404/282389815299136
Viral skin infection affects children
under 10 in eSwatini
By Adekunle
Owolabi, Independent News, eSwatini, 8 April 2025
A viral skin infection affecting young
children has been reported in parts of Eswatini, prompting health authorities
to issue a cautionary notice and activate response measures. The Ministry of
Health confirmed a rise in cases, particularly among infants and children under
the age of ten, with clusters emerging in the Hhohho and Manzini regions.
According to a press statement released on
April 8, the ministry’s surveillance systems have picked up several mild cases
in both health facilities and schools. While most children are recovering
without complications, the exact nature of the infection remains undetermined.
Samples have been collected from some of
the affected children and sent for laboratory testing to identify the virus and
understand its characteristics. The ministry has not linked the infection to
any known disease yet.
Children showing symptoms typically
experience fever, sore throat, fatigue, loss of appetite, and red blisters on
the inside of the mouth, tongue, palms, and soles of the feet.
Public health officials have urged calm
while encouraging vigilance. The ministry has rolled out a set of early
intervention strategies, including intensified surveillance in health centres
and early learning institutions, information campaigns for caregivers, and
infection control guidelines for affected schools.
Coordination efforts are also underway
between school health programmes and regional health teams to prevent further
spread. Parents, guardians, and educators have been advised to closely monitor
children for symptoms, keep sick children at home, encourage regular
handwashing, and disinfect shared surfaces and toys.
The Ministry of Health assured the public
of its continued commitment to controlling the spread and protecting
communities. Updates will follow as investigations progress.
See also
Hike for autism unites eSwatini in
support
https://independentnews.co.sz/12289/health-local-news/hike-for-autism-unites-eswatini-in-support/
By
Musa Mdluli, Swaziland News, 8 April, 2025
KUKHANYENI: Superintendent Thabo Hlophe
believes leaders of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) Youth
League, the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO) allegedly smuggled guns into the
country after their recent Elective Congress held in the neighboring South
Africa.
As a result, the senior police officer who
allegedly specializes in the killing of political activists and human rights
defenders, demanded guns when abducting newly elected SWAYOCO Secretary General
Mthobisi Ntjangase on Monday night at Kukhanyeni, Hlophe was accompanied by a
batallion of armed police officers.
“Where are the guns, khipha letibhamu?”,
he asked as police officers grab the young political activist.
Senior Superintendent Phindile
Vilakati,the Police Spokesperson declined to comment.
On another note, the PUDEMO Youth League
Secretary General was abducted together with SWAYOCO senior members Zanedi
Tfwala and Tanele Tfwala amid crackdown on pro-democracy activists in eSwatini.
The tiny Kingdom is ruled by King Mswati
as an absolute Monarch, political parties are banned while human rights
defenders are arrested, tortured or killed for demanding democracy.
PUDEMO is eSwatini’s main and largest
political party targeted by the regime for vigorously demanding democracy and,
SWAYOCO is a PUDEMO Youth League.
See also
South African Students Congress (SASCO)
condemns abduction of PUDEMO Youth League Secretary General Mthobisi Ntjangase
https://swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=8787
Cannabis association hits back at NATCOM
By
Sabelo Majola, Times of eSwatini, 8 April 2025
MBABANE: EHCA has hit back at National Commissioner of Police, Vusi Manoma Masango, accusing him of spreading ‘misleading and misinformation’ regarding the link between cannabis use and rising cases of GBV.
The association’s strong response signals
a clear escalation in the debate surrounding cannabis regulation in Eswatini.
The Eswatini Hemp and Cannabis
Association’s (EHCA) criticism follows NATCOM’s appeal to Members of
Parliament, made during the handover of the Vikizijula Police Post, to cease
opposing existing drug legislation. He asserted that cannabis use contributes
to gender-based violence (GBV), citing anecdotal examples of alleged poor
hygiene among users and their supposed inclination towards rape.
In a statement released by Secretary
General Trevor Shongwe, the EHCA challenged the commissioner’s claims, while
acknowledging the current prohibition of cannabis under the Opium and Habit
Forming Drugs Act of 1922 and the Pharmacy Act of 1929. However, the
association firmly reiterated its position that these Acts are ‘draconian and
outdated’, remnants of colonial oppression used to criminalise indigenous
practices.
“It is indeed a well-documented historical
and scientific fact that predating the 19th century and post-colonialism,
cannabis use by emaSwati emdzabu was legal in Eswatini, for purposes such as
traditional use, general medicinal use, religious use, industrial use and adult
responsible use,” Shongwe stated, highlighting the historical context of
cannabis use in the region.
To read more of this report, click here
http://www.times.co.sz/news/150173-cannabis-association-hits-back-at-natcom.html
Catholic office raises concerns over police clash breaches
Times
of eSwatini, Press Reader edition, 3
April 2025
MBABANE: The Eswatini Catholic Parliamentary
Liaison Office (ECPLO) has raised serious concerns about potential legal and
constitutional breaches arising from the recent clash within the police.
The organisation cited the Constitution of
Eswatini, specifically Section 25(1), which guarantees the ‘right to freedom of
association’, and Section 24(1), which affirms the ‘right to freedom of
expression’.
They argued that if the police union
meeting was convened to discuss legitimate salary concerns, any attempt to
block or disperse it without a court order could be considered
unconstitutional.
The ECPLO also highlighted that the use of
force (tear gas) without legal justification contradicts policing principles of
proportionality and necessity.
Eswatini’s ratification of the
International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 87, which upholds the
right of workers, including police officers, to organise and express
grievances, was also referenced.
The ECPLO further expressed concern about
the ‘excessive use of force’, citing the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement
Officials (1979), which emphasises that police officers must use force only
when strictly necessary and proportional to the threat posed.
They argued that the use of tear gas
without legal justification contradicts Section 16(3) of the Constitution,
which states: ‘‘No person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment’’.
Additionally, they pointed to the African
Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Article 5), which also protects against
excessive police force.
To read more of this report, click here
https://www.pressreader.com/eswatini/times-of-eswatini/20250403/281565181576088
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