Swaziland Newsletter No. 874 – 25
April 2025
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.
Fighting
poverty under Tinkhundla mixture of capitalist and socialist policies
practically impossible
Comment
by Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 22 April, 2025
Under the Tinkhundla undemocratic regime,
emaSwati are paraded to investors as a cheap labour and this means, for
Government to attract investors, the citizens must suffer or languish in
poverty.
In this country, we have Government
Gazettes that allow companies to underpay workers and in fact, the employment
and trade policies promote poverty and the suffering of ordinary citizens while
enriching the powerful and politically connected.
As the situation stands, it is even very
difficult to conclude whether the current Government is a capitalist or
socialist regime because the policies are a mixture of capitalism and
socialism, Tinkhundla is actually a confused oppressive regime.
Some emaSwati working in the textile
industry, security, hospitality, manufacturing and even the public service are
living in poverty because the salaries were ‘programmed’ to immediately force
them to ‘money-lending’ companies.
Thereafter, they will remain indebted for
the duration of their employment if not the rest of their lives.
After death, the very same Tinkhundla
system has made it easier for eStates within the Office of the Master of the
High Court to be looted with impunity and this means, the chain of poverty will
continue and be experienced even by the children of the deceased.
But this Government always claim to be
fighting poverty, there’s absolutely no political will to eradicate poverty in
this country, this country is actually a factory where poverty is manufactured.
The investment promotion policies promotes
the enrichment of the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor and
marginalized.
Sweeping
changes in new Employment Bill
By
Kwanele Dhladhla, eSwatini Financial Times, 22 April 2025
Good news is on the horizon for employees
in Eswatini, courtesy of sweeping changes and improvements contained in the
Employment Bill of 2024, which seeks to promote decent working conditions for
workers.
The bill, tabled by Minister of Labour and
Social Security Phila Buthelezi on Monday in Parliament, addresses the issue of
casual labourers who were in the past exploited by their employers.
The proposed legislation provides some
regulations to prevent the abuse of employing people as perpetual or permanent
casuals. Section 29 (2) reads, “A person may not be engaged as a casual
employee where the nature of the work for which the employee is to be employed
is full-time and permanent.”
It was explained that a casual employee
should not work for more than 24 hours a week. The bill also provides some
restrictions to avoid employing people on perpetual short fixed-term contracts.
Section 27 states that a fixed-term
contract should clearly state its purpose. Further, it has been stipulated that
the number of times for renewal of fixed-term contracts for the different
sectors shall be determined by the Minister through regulations.
The legislation, which awaits Parliament’s
approval, provides some regulation to ensure that part-time workers become
entitled to the same protection and rights enjoyed by comparable full-time
employees, including protection against discrimination in employment and
occupation.
To read more of this report, click here
https://eswatinifinancialtimes.africa/sweeping-changes-in-new-employment-bill/
Malaria
warning: 4 deaths, 296 cases
By
Mnelisi Dlamini, Times of eSwatini, Press Reader edition, 23 April 2025
MBABANE: A notable significant rise in
malaria cases has prompted urgent action from the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry of Health, through its
National Malaria Programme (NMP) and vigilant surveillance teams, has issued a
stark warning following a marked increase in confirmed malaria infections
across various regions. A thorough analysis of the situation reveals a
substantial escalation in local malaria transmission since the beginning of the
year.
Entomological investigations have pointed
towards a growing population of Anopheles mosquitoes, the primary vectors of
malaria. Compounding this issue are prevailing environmental conditions,
characterised by warm temperatures and abundant rainfall, which are creating
ideal breeding grounds for these insects.
Alarmingly, the rise in cases,
predominantly reported between July 2024 and mid-April 2025, has reached a
cumulative total of 296, tragically including four deaths. The Hhohho Region
has been particularly hard hit with 124 cases, followed closely by Lubombo with
114.
Within these regions, indigenous
transmission is concentrated in the Mhlangatane, Madlangampisi, Nkilongo,
Sithobela and Hlane constituencies. These worrying trends are corroborated by
national malaria surveillance data and detailed community-level investigations.
In response to this escalating public
health threat, the Ministry, via the NMP, has intensified crucial
interventions. These measures include extending Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS)
to previously unsprayed homesteads, proactively detecting and testing cases
within high-risk communities, and distributing insecticide-treated bed nets,
especially in areas with informal agricultural activity.
To read more of this report, click
here
https://www.pressreader.com/eswatini/times-of-eswatini/20250423/284541593951059
UNESWA
lecturers down tools, demand salary payment
eSwatini
Daily News, Press Reader edition, 23
April 2025
UNESWA Lecturers have decided to down
tools after management failed to deposit their April salaries.
University of Eswatini (UNESWA) Lecturers
said they were supposed to receive their salaries on the 19th of April which is
their payday.
In an interview, Secretary General for,
Dr. Mduduzi Shongwe of the Association of Lecturers, Academic and
Administrative Personnel (ALAAP) told Eswatini Daily News that they have
decided to stand by the gate every day until management adhere to their demand.
not received their April Salaries.
“This is not the first time the UNESWA
management has toyed with our lives. It’s either they deposit 93 per cent or 90
per cent of our salaries or they fail to deposit it all,” said Dr Shongwe.
Further, Dr Shongwe pointed out that the
management has failed to manage the crisis at UNESWA, and that the Institution
should be led by another person not the present one. The employees of UNESWA
spent the whole day singing songs and dancing inside the premises of the
Institution.
“We have debts to settle, and we have our
families to attend to but management seems not to care about our plight as
workers. We are tired of this management, and we hope that a new one will be
put soon. The secretary General then said that the organisations they mourn the
death of the student who committed suicide most recently.
It was reported that the student left a
note which stated that he had committed suicide because of a lecturer.
“As ALAAP we mourn the death of the
student, but we do not impose ourselves but react after one of our members has
reported a dispute, however, we will action on the matter as soon as IR is
reported, Dr Shongwe said.
Students denied bail after violent protests
Legalbrief, (South Africa), 21 April 2025
Three prominent eSwatini students leaders
have been denied bail following violent protests at the memorial service of
murdered university student Thabane Nkomonye last weekend.
Youths in the capital, Manzini, were
demanding justice for the slain law student. Swaziland News reports that
Nkomonye was allegedly killed by the police before his body was 'dumped' at
Nhlambeni. Police denied this, saying they found his car at a ‘chaotic’
accident scene on 8 May.
The Pretoria News reports that a
march was organised by University of eSwatini students and the Swaziland
National Union of Students. Protester Phiwayinkosi Dlamini was shot in the eye
and is recovering in the Mbabane Hospital.
MP Mduduzi Mabuza said ‘the main problem
in this country is the government that undermines human rights’. Bafanabakhe
Sacolo, the secretary general of the Swaziland National Union of Students
(SNUS), and students Khumbula Nxumalo and Siphosethu Mavimbela were denied
bail. Speaking to Swaziland News, SNUS president Colani Maseko, said the
detainees are facing charges of malicious damage to the Fairview Police
Station.
‘The judiciary system of this country is
an embarrassment and a shame. We will not give up until we live in a democratic
world,’ he said.
eSwatini strengthens climate
resilience through strategic water sector planning
Smart Water Magazine, 23
April 2025
As climate variability increasingly
disrupts water systems across Southern Africa, the Kingdom of Eswatini is
accelerating its efforts to enhance resilience through strategic investment in the water sector. Informed by the
national Programme of Action (2024–2029), Eswatini is focusing on strengthening
institutional capacity, mobilising climate finance, and fostering
cross-sectoral coordination to address the growing risks associated with
droughts, floods, and irregular rainfall patterns.
Recent technical engagements convened
national stakeholders and experts from key ministries, including the Ministry
of Tourism and Environmental Affairs and the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Energy, supported by Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA). These
dialogues focused on aligning Eswatini’s water investment planning with
African Union frameworks for climate-resilient development, in line with the AU
Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy (2022–2032) and the Paris Agreement.
Emphasis was placed on enhancing capacity to design and implement
climate-resilient water programmes and to improve direct access to
international climate finance.
According to Ms. Khangeziwe Mabuza,
Principal Secretary and National Designated Authority for the GCF, “The
Guidelines for the Development of Climate-Resilient Water Investment
Programme... underscore their unwavering commitment to strengthening resilience
in the water sector. This... equips us with the knowledge and tools necessary
to develop comprehensive water investment programmes that integrate climate
change considerations, ensuring long-term water security for our communities.”
According to GWPSA, Eswatini has committed SZL 136 billion to
support sustainable water infrastructure and adaptation initiatives,
prioritising integrated water resources management, climate-smart agriculture,
and improved sanitation. “The commitment to water security and climate
resilience requires a holistic approach that integrates strategic investment,
policy alignment, and inclusive stakeholder participation,” added Mr.
Musawenkhosi Mwelase from the Department of Water Affairs.
Eswatini’s proactive strategy exemplifies
how targeted planning and regional collaboration can advance long-term water
security in the face of climate change.
Mbabane, the executive capital and
most populous city in Eswatini.
|
Credit: Eswatini Tourism, via
Wikimedia Commons |
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