Swaziland Newsletter No. 868 – 14
March 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.
United
States Secretary of State holds productive call with PM
By
Ncaba Ntshakala, eSwatini Daily News (Press Reader edition)
THE government of Eswatini has highlighted
its commitment to diplomatic engagement with the United States following the
recent suspension of foreign aid by the U.S. administration.
In a press statement released, the Prime
Minister Russell Dlamini disclosed that he held a telephonic meeting with U.S.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which both parties recognized the
longstanding and friendly relationship between their countries.
The statement noted that the Prime
Minister expressed appreciation for the existing bilateral ties, while
Secretary Rubio conveyed optimism about expanding their partnership.
This latest development follows growing
concerns in Eswatini regarding the potential impact of the U.S. aid freeze,
which was part of a major decision by the U.S. government to halt virtually all
foreign assistance. The suspension, ordered by President Donald Trump’s
administration, has left many developing nations, including Eswatini, uncertain
about the future of critical programs previously supported by American funding.
Historically, U.S. aid has played a crucial role in Eswatini, particularly in
sectors such as health, education, and economic development.
Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo
recently addressed these concerns, emphasizing that Eswatini respects the
sovereign decisions of other nations, including the U.S. “The United States is
within their sovereign right to put ‘America First.’ Therefore, as a sovereign
Nation ourselves, we are obligated to respect other Nations’ decisions,”
Nxumalo stated. However, he reassured the public that diplomatic channels had
already been activated to resolve the issue.
To read more of this report, click
here
https://www.pressreader.com/eswatini/eswatini-daily-news-9y77/20250311/281492167083939
See also
eSwatini secures AGOA eligibility for
2025 amid shifting us policies
http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=23591
Communications
Officer says over 24 000 condoms distributed at Hlane Royal Residence Buganu
Ceremony where married women engage in sexual activities with men
By
Musa Mdluli, Swaziland News, 11 March, 2025
MBABANE: Veli Gamedze, the Family Life
Association of Eswatini (FLAS) Communications Officer has confirmed that, over
twenty-four thousand (24000) condoms were distributed at Hlane Royal Residence
during the Buganu Ceremony.
Thousands of women gathered at Hlane last
weekend for the Ceremony, even men were allowed to attend so that they can have
sex with married women, the event promotes and encourages women to come
together and drink traditional alcohol while socializing with men.
The FLAS Communications Officer was quoted
by the State owned Eswatini Observer on Tuesday confirming that, the
said number of condoms were distributed in an attempt to promote safe sex
during the Ceremony.
On another note, eSwatini is facing a
health crisis amid shortage if drugs in public hospitals and, the country might
face challenges in implementing HIV/AIDS prevention programs subsequent to
newly inaugurated United States (US) President Donald Trump’s decision halting
donor funding.
This means emaSwati living with HIV might
soon struggle to access Antiretroviral (ARVs) drugs as the supply of ARVs was
supported by donors.
King Mswati organised the Buganu Ceremony
and subsequently introduced “Lutsango Holiday” saying “he was honoring women”.
See also
FLAS and Swazi Observer managing
editor must account why they tarnished Buganu Ceremony with 24000 distributed
condoms, “kaNgwane ngisho bulima uyabutsatsisa”.
https://swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=8574
USAID
woes: gloom sets in as hundreds expect last pay
By
Sebentile Shongwe and Mnelisi Dlamini, Times of eSwatini, 7 March 2025
MBABANE: About 500 workers employed by
organisations funded by the USAID were informed that their contracts will end
at the end of March.
Employees of programmes funded by USAID
under NERCHA went home dejected after the Ministry of Health gave them an
unclear response on their fate in the programmes. The meeting had been convened
by the Ministry of Health’s Principal Secretary (PS) Khanya Mabuza. Some of the
workers were attached to the National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS
(NERCHA) and were funded by UNAIDS.
A credible source revealed that Mabuza
addressed the workers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation concerning their fate as the current funding cycle comes to an
end. It was said that the PS mentioned that the donor has closed its doors
of funding, halting all programmes that were being funded by them. The
meeting was attended by over 80 employees who were stationed all over the
country’s medical facilities, all of whom were directly impacted by the UNAIDS
funding.
The primary objective of the ministry was
to address the looming uncertainty surrounding the continuation of their
employment. However, the session appears to have generated significant
anxiety among the staff. The central concern revolves around the
expiration of their contracts at the end of March. Employees repeatedly sought
clarification on the implications of this deadline, asking directly: “What does
the end of the month mean for our contracts? Will we be paid for March, and
will our contracts be terminated?”
To read more of this report, click
here
http://www.times.co.sz/news/149749-usaid-woes-gloom-sets-in-as-hundreds-expect-last-pay.html
An eSwatini
midwife’s fight against infant mortality
By Nokukhanya Musi–Aimienoho, GAVI, the Vaccine
Alliance, 12 March 2025
For close to three decades,
Lindiwe Shongwe, midwife and sister-in-charge at the Mbabane Government
Hospital maternity ward, has delivered new life with skill and care.
She embarked on the path to
becoming a midwife after witnessing the heartbreaking impacts of infant
mortality on her own community. During her time on the job, the prospects for a
newborn have improved: where in 2000, 69 babies in every
1,000 born in
Eswatini were expected to die before their first birthday, by 2024, that number
had dropped to just under 40. However, 40 deaths per 1,000 live births is still
significantly worse than the global rate of just under 28.
Eswatini’s nurses are the
silent heroes of our nation’s fight against vaccine-preventable diseases. They
are the unsung champions, standing firm in the face of adversity and ensuring
that every woman and child has access to life-saving vaccines.
But for Shongwe, the joys of
the work outstrip its sadnesses. “I love being a midwife because I love seeing
people happy,” Shongwe says. “It’s such a joy witnessing the excitement on a
mother’s face when she holds her newborn baby for the first time. We do our
best to offer the best quality services possible.”
Along the labyrinthine
corridors of the Mbabane Government Hospital, mothers speak of her with
reverence and gratitude, sharing stories of her kindness and patience. Bhekiwe
Msibi, cradling her child at the vaccination clinic, reflects on her experience
of pregnancy and childbirth. “During my pregnancy, I was scared. I didn’t know
if my child would survive or if I would be a good mother. But Nurse Lindiwe
taught me the importance of vaccinating my child against diseases that could
have taken his life. She explained everything in a way I could understand,” she
says.
Shongwe and her team deliver
over 500 babies a month. Under her leadership, the maternity ward has developed
standard operating procedures and audit reports that not only improve
accountability, but also ensure that lessons learned are shared across the
department. Shongwe works with community health workers, bridging gaps in
communication and fostering collaboration to enhance patient care.
 |
Midwife
Lindiwe Shongwe in her hospital scrubs. Credit: Sibusiso Dlamini
To read more of
this report, click here
https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/eswatini-midwifes-fight-against-infant-mortality
Some
rape survivors drop charges for cash
By
Joseph Zulu, eSwatini News, 8 March 2025
MBABANE: Some rape survivors are
reportedly opting to drop charges against perpetrators in exchange for cash.
This is happening in a country where it
was recently reported that rape cases are on the increase. This trend has
caused concern among some law enforcement officials, as they argue that it
promotes gender-based violence (GBV). For instance, during a recent
workshop on GBV, a police officer revealed that there had been instances where
some women who initially reported rape later withdrew their complaints after
receiving financial compensation from alleged perpetrators. Investigations by
Eswatini News have established that the police officer was telling the truth.
The officer stated that the tendency to
drop rape charges in exchange for money had become a significant cause for
concern. It must be noted that the GBV workshop, where this issue was
first raised was organised by the Prison Fellowship, in collaboration with the
police as well as the Eswatini Association for Crime Prevention and the
Rehabilitation of Offenders (ESACRO).
This alarming practice not only
complicates police investigations, but also undermines efforts to ensure
justice for survivors of sexual violence.
The officer who spoke at the workshop
described how survivors sometimes approach law enforcement to report rape, only
to later state that they had accepted money from the alleged perpetrators and
would no longer be pursuing charges against them.
To read more of this report, click
here
http://www.times.co.sz/news/149763-some-rape-survivors-drop-charges-for-cash.html
Passion
killings in eSwatini: rising tide of violence
By
Nomsa Mbuli, Times of eSwatini, 7 March 2025
Passion killings, once considered a rare
and tragic occurrence, have become alarmingly frequent in Eswatini. Recent
reports from the Times of Eswatini and other sources of news reports highlight
a disturbing trend where acts of violence fuelled by emotions such as jealousy,
anger and greed are claiming lives at an alarming rate.
What was once primarily associated with
romantic disputes has now expanded to include conflicts between men and even
family members over land and possessions. According to police records and
investigative reports, passion killings rooted in romantic relationships
continue to dominate headlines. In one recent case reported by the Times of
Eswatini, a young woman was found dead after her partner allegedly stabbed her
during a heated argument.
The suspect reportedly confessed to the
crime, citing feelings of betrayal and jealousy as his motivation. This tragic
incident is just one example of how unchecked emotions can spiral out of
control, leading to devastating consequences. Research and history have
proven that the pattern we’re seeing is that these crimes often stem from
uncontrolled emotions.
Many perpetrators act impulsively without
considering the long-term impact of their actions. People, in general, are not
taking care of their mental health so they are quick to anger and quick to act,
only to regret their actions later on. While passion killings tied to love
affairs remain prevalent, there has been a noticeable rise in violent
altercations between men, often triggered by petty disagreements or perceived
slights. In another report, two men were involved in a fatal confrontation
after exchanging insults at a local shebeen.
One individual pulled out a knife, leaving
the other fatally wounded. In another incident, a man was stabbed to death by
another in Shiselweni, also in a shebeen after he tried to stop a fight between
two other men and became the victim. Such incidents underscore the growing
ease with which violence escalates in everyday situations. In other
reports, guns have also taken centre stage as more people are now able to
obtain illegal guns and use them to scare or shoot others during disagreements
at taverns.
This shift indicates a broader societal
issue where conflict resolution skills are lacking. People now believe that, to
solve a problem, they need to eliminate the source of the problem, which is
usually another person. It also does not help that people have joined
gangsterism and killing for ‘pride’; it pushes them up the ranks in their
gangs. We need to address this through education and community programmes that
promote healthy communication and emotional regulation.
To read more of this report, click
here
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