Swaziland Newsletter No. 875 – 2 May 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.
eSwatini
workers celebrating May Day under an extremely oppressive environment, no
salary increment for civil servants amid escalating costs of living
By Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News,1 May
2025
MBABANE: Workers in the
Kingdom of eSwatini are celebrating the May Day under an extremely oppressive
environment amid reluctance by the Government to increase salaries for civil
servants including members of the security forces.
Eswatini is an absolute
Monarchy with oppressive laws and, despite the enactment of the Industrial
Relations Act that promotes freedom and the rights of workers, the country has
been restricting and suppressing workers from exercising their right to protest.
Political parties are banned
in eSwatini and in the past few weeks, State police officers have been
embarking on a crackdown on pro-democracy activists particularly, members of
the main and largest People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), dispersing
meetings thus violating the right to freedom of assembly and association.
But even the legally
recognized trade unions are reportedly receiving threats from the Government
for associating with political parties and, urged not to allow these political
entities to use the May Day as political rallies.
As a result, the Trade Union
Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) banned political formations from addressing the
May Workers Day Celebration on Thursday at the Salesian Sports Grounds.
Political parties normally
seize the opportunity during the annual May Day Celebration to address workers,
in a country where political parties are not allowed to hold meetings or use
the highly censored State media to address the Nation.
But the political parties were
divided ahead of the May Workers Day with some demanded to speak “during the
May Workers Day if the main and largest People’s United Democratic Movement
(PUDEMO) is also allowed to address the workers”.
Responding to this Swaziland
News amid emerging information suggesting that, political parties were
scrambling to address the May Day, TUCOSWA Secretary General Mduduzi Gina said,
a resolution was taken by affiliates, banning all political parties from
addressing the May Workers Day but clarified that, these political parties will
attend as invited as Guests.
Gina further clarified that,
he was not aware of any division adding that, to the best of his knowledge, the
message “has been communicated to the political parties and, they have been
formally informed that, they won’t address the May Day.
“We don’t regard this as a
division, this was a decision of the TUCOSWA General Council, political parties
won’t address the May Day Celebration”, he said.
Reached for comments by this
publication, Penuel Malinga, the Secretary General of the People’s United
Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) said, they will respect the decision of the
TUCOSWA leadership in this regard.
“May Day is Workers Day and we
have been invited as guests which we appreciate. If you are an invited guest,
you take orders from those who invited you. Workers are PUDEMO so we believe in
the leadership of the workers to guide us amid the socio-economic challenges
facing the country,” he said.
FESWATU to
celebrate 10 years on Workers Day
By Starsky Mkhonta, eSwatini Observer, Press
Reader edition, 28 April 2025
THE Federation of Swaziland
Trade Unions (FESWATU) will celebrate its 10th anniversary during this year’s
May Day.
This was disclosed by FESWATU
President Mashumi Shongwe, who said this year marked a milestone for the
federation.
He said the event would be
held at Simunye, adding that the venue was selected due to its excellent
facilities capable of accommodating a gathering of large magnitude.
“Simunye has all the necessary
facilities and equipment suitable for an event like this, which is why we’ve
decided to book it again this year.
“FESWATU leadership is
satisfied with the venue and arrangements,” said Shongwe.
He said they were anticipating
a bigger and better celebration and anticipating an attendance of over 10 000
people.
“As we mark 10 years since
FESWATU was established, this achievement and other organisations involved in
charity to improve the lives the vulnerable and less privileged,” said Hadebe.
Shongwe said to ensure safety
and order at the stadium, there would be strict controls. “Attendees will be
required to present membership cards at the gate. We don’t want chaos looking
at the expected number of people so we will ensure that security is tight,” he
said.
Shongwe also revealed that a
prominent government official has been invited to deliver a keynote address.
“We will have a guest on the
day but we are still waiting for confirmation before revealing their identity
to the public,” he said.
To ensure everyone is well
catered for, Shongwe announced that 15 cattle would be slaughtered for the
event.
“The workers deserve
recognition, as their contributions have helped make events like these
possible. For that we are truly grateful,” Shongwe concluded.
See also
Political parties
divided and scrambling to address May Workers Day Celebration if PUDEMO is
allowed to speak, TUCOSWA Secretary General Mduduzi Gina says NO!
https://swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=8939
Taiwan foreign
minister announces medical donations to eSwatini
China News Agency, 26 April 2025
TAIPEI: Taiwan’s Foreign
Minister Lin Chia-lung has announced donations of advanced medical equipment to
Eswatini’s Mbabane Government Hospital which he said would help enhance the
African nation’s medical services.
The pledged donations,
including a computed tomography scan, fundus cameras, and a patient monitor simulator,
will help improve the quality of medical and health services in Eswatini, Lin
said on Friday (local time), according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MOFA).
Lin, who was on a visit to the
African nation from April 22-26 as President Lai Ching-te’s envoy, made the
announcement during a visit to the Referral and the Emergency Complex of
Mbabane Government Hospital.
Lin also said Taipei will
continue to help the African ally further enhance its public health system,
according to a news release issued by MOFA on Saturday.
In addition to the donations
of medical equipment, Taiwan’s government also funded the renovation of the
referral and emergency complex several years ago.
Meanwhile, Eswatini’s Minister
of Health Mduduzi Matsebula thanked Taiwan for its support in developing the
country’s healthcare system and reaffirmed his backing for Taiwan’s inclusion
in the World Health Organization, the release said.
According to MOFA, before
wrapping up his African trip, Lin attended the 57th birthday celebration of
Eswatini King Mswati III, who has ruled the landlocked country since 1986, and
a subsequent dinner.
Taiwan, officially called the
Republic of China, and Eswatini established formal diplomatic ties when the
latter became independent in 1968. Eswatini is Taiwan’s only African ally.
By Bongiwe Dlamini, Swaziland News, 26 April,
2025
MBABANE: Lin Chia-Lung, the
visiting Taiwan Foreign Minister has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with the eSwatini Government to counter what the Chinese Island describes as
misinformation and disinformation.
But secret documents seen by
this publication suggest that, the agreement will result to the funding of
State journalists to counter information published by this Swaziland News.
This publication reported
that, Taiwan will sign the agreement even before the Foreign Minister arrived
in eSwatini and this, was after sources leaked some documents to this
publication.
Indeed, the Taiwan Foreign
Minister signed the MoU this week and according to information in possession of
this publication, State journalists will share over R10million in the next few
years, countering the Swaziland News stories and attacking editor Zweli Martin
Dlamini.
The journalists are highly
expected to create various online platforms and attack the editor, two (2)
online platforms who were calling for democracy, have been identified as an
alternative that will also benefit.
But the project is also
targeting political activists criticizing Government and Taiwan, the political
activists are highly expected to be insulted as well.
eSwatini urged to prioritise human
capital, digital growth
Times
of eSwatini, Press Reader edition, 30 April 2025
MBABANE: Eswatini risks being left behind
in the evolving global economy unless it rapidly addresses skills development,
digital infrastructure gaps and youth unemployment, the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) has warned.
In its April Regional Economic Outlook for
Sub Saharan Africa, the IMF stressed that long term prosperity in the region
hinges on bold investment in human capital and accelerated digitalisation,
especially as the global economy transitions toward artificial intelligence
(AI), service led growth and innovation driven development.
“Nearly one third of the region’s
population continues to live below the poverty line,” the IMF report notes,
highlighting the need for broad based growth strategies that prioritise job
creation and support for the most vulnerable.
Eswatini, with its high youth unemployment
rate and limited technological reach beyond urban centres, exemplifies this
challenge.
To read more of this report, click
here
https://www.pressreader.com/eswatini/times-of-eswatini/20250430/281904484045799
Jailed MP
Bacede Mabuza’s supporter Gogo Esther Mathunjwa (87) arrested
Swati Newsweek 1 May, 2025
HLUTHI: A veteran activist
Gogo Esther Mathunjwa was forced to spend more than ten hours at the Hluthi
Police Station.
This happened yesterday just
few hours before King Mswati III arrived in the area. The King opened a new
plaza in the tiny town at Hluthi.
“Police took away gogo
Mathunjwa before King Mswati arrived. They pretended as if they were
investigating criminal activity involving her. The police knew she would speak
about the issue of jailed MP Bacede Mabuza. “
“She was later released
yesterday around 7pm. This was a very evil plan she had a right to speak before
the King,”complained one of the residents in an interview.
In her previous interview with
Swati Newsweek Online editor Mathunjwa said, “I’m starving now. Bacede Mabuza
ensured that my family get food. His case had deeply hurt me.”
Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni
Dube of Ngwemphisi Inkhundla were arrested and convicted after urging King
Mswati III to allow the masses to elect a prime minister.
A third MP Mduduzi Gawuzela
Simelane was forced to flee as police arrested more people who support the
struggle for freedom in Eswatini.
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