SWAZI SCHOOL PRINCIPALS PROTEST MARCH

Associated Press

13 September 2011

SOURCE

Hundreds of principals in Swaziland protest budget cuts on 1st day of school

MBABANE, Swaziland — Hundreds of principals in Swaziland marched today (Tuesday 13 September 2011), the first day of the school term, to protest the impact on education of the southern African monarchy’s budget crisis.

Education officials said most of Swaziland’s 328 primary, secondary and high schools opened as scheduled. That had been in doubt for the nation’s more than 800,000 public school pupils after principals complained budget cuts left them unable to pay secretaries or buy chalk and other supplies. Principals said some schools have no water because they can’t pay utility bills.

After their peaceful march to the education ministry, principals handed over a petition calling on the government to reverse cuts of 95 million emalangeni (about $13.5 million), nearly half the education budget for the 2011-2012 school year. Much of the missing money was earmarked for school fees and supplies for orphans and other vulnerable children in a country where many children have lost parents to AIDS.

Swaziland is several months into a financial crisis, blamed on corruption and declining customs revenue. The government has proposed freezing civil servant salaries and have already cut other costs, including allowances for university students.

The cuts have led to a series of protests, with some Swazis saying the king should rein in the lavish lifestyle enjoyed by his family, which includes 13 wives.

To read the full Associated Press report, click here.

See also

GET READY FOR MORE SWAZI PROTESTS

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2011/07/get-ready-for-more-swazi-protests.html

SWAZILAND GETS LOAN – ON CONDITION

Associated press

3 August 2011

South Africa grants Swaziland $354 million bailout

JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- South Africa will give a 2.4 billion rand ($354 million) loan to help ease a crippling financial crisis that has sparked massive protests in Swaziland, officials on yesterday (3 August 2011) announced, saying the bailout is conditional on reforms in the tiny kingdom.

Swaziland has battled to manage a growing budget deficit that has caused widespread shortages of medications and that has spurred pro-democracy protests in the absolute monarchy. Critics accuse the administration of King Mswati III of mismanagement and corruption, and many Swazi activists and organizations opposed the loan.

Swazi union leader Vincent Dlamini called for a new government to manage the funds.

"We must not be too quick to celebrate," he said. "It is worrying that the corrupt people (have) not been removed from the system, money will still be mismanaged."

South African officials said the loan is contingent on economic and financial reforms and will be subjected to regular audits by a joint task team made up of representatives from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, South Africa's National Treasury and the African Development Bank. The officials said in a statement that they are committed to "confidence-building measures" to improve human rights and governance.

"While the need for fiscal reforms is the primary objective, this has to be anchored by governance reforms," South Africa's finance ministry said in a statement.

Mswati announced the deal to Swazis upon his return from South Africa on Tuesday.

"We are thankful and appreciate the good neighborly assistance we have received from South Africa," he said. "The loan will help the country to continue with its recovery problems."

Activists have criticized Mswati for living lavishly while most Swazis live in poverty, and for repressing human rights and harassing and jailing pro-democracy activists.

Thousands of protesters marched last week over a shortage of essential medical supplies and a failing economy. AIDS groups say the country faces a shortage of anti-retroviral drugs.

More than a quarter of Swazis between the ages of 15 and 49 are believed to carry HIV.

To read the full Associated Press report, click here.

THOUSANDS PROTEST FOR SECOND DAY

Associated Press

28 July 2011

SOURCE

Swaziland sees thousands protest for second day

MBABANE, Swaziland — Thousands of people are participating in a second day of demonstrations in the small kingdom of Swaziland over the king's handling of an economic crisis.

More than 3,000 demonstrators gathered across the country today (28 July 2011), accompanied by armed police.

Protesters blame the absolute monarch for a shortage of essential medical supplies and a failing economy.

AIDS groups say the country faces a shortage of anti-retroviral drugs. More than a quarter of Swazis between the ages of 15 and 49 are believed to carry HIV.

Labor union negotiations also failed this week amid anger from members about the mismanagement of funds by King Mswati III. A court yesterday overturned a government application to stop protesters from demonstrating.

See also

SWAZI COURT BACKS PROTEST MARCHES

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2011/07/swazi-court-backs-protest-marches.html

STUDENTS HELD ON PROTEST MARCH

Several students have been detained during the protests today (27 July 2011) in Swaziland, the Associated Press reports.

Marches have been taking place all over the kingdom, ruled by King Mswati III, sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch.

The protests were peaceful but heavily-guarded, the AP reports.

More than 500 people demonstrated in the capital Mbabane while nearly 1,000 protested in the western town of Siteki.

The protests are against poor government in the kingdom which has led to a shortage of essential medical supplies and a failing economy.

AIDS groups have warned that the country faces a shortage of anti-retroviral drugs. More than a quarter of Swazis between the ages of 15 and 49 are believed to carry HIV.

Labor union negotiations also failed this week. Wandile Sifundza, a teachers' union leader, said members want a change to a constitutional monarch, who can be trusted to manage national finances.