Swaziland Newsletter No. 860 – 17 January
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 human cost of climate
change: eSwatini suffers amid global disasters
By Ncaba Ntshakala, eSwatini
Sunday, press reader edition, 12 January 2025
In 2024, natural disasters unleashed chaos
worldwide, leaving countries grappling with the extensive physical, financial,
and emotional repercussions of these catastrophic occurrences.
Among those impacted, Eswatini confronted
significant hurdles as it dealt with the aftermath of severe storms that
exacerbated the nation’s existing vulnerabilities.
As reported by Munich RE, a prominent
player in reinsurance and risk solutions, global losses from natural disasters
soared to E6 trillion (US$320 billion) in 2024. This marks a dramatic rise from
the adjusted figure of E5 trillion (US$268 billion) in 2023, highlighting the
escalating influence of climate change on weather patterns and the frequency of
disasters.
Although Eswatini’s contributions to
global disaster statistics may seem minor, the ramifications of severe weather
events in this small southern African nation have been catastrophic. In 2024,
intense rains and storms led to widespread destruction across various regions,
resulting in collapsed buildings, eroded roads, and irreversible damage to
vital infrastructure.
To address the situation, Eswatini’s
Deputy Prime Minister embarked on a nationwide tour to evaluate the damage
firsthand. The tour exposed the immense challenges that lie ahead, as the
nation faces the formidable task of rebuilding communities and restoring
essential services. The financial strain on the national budget is enormous,
with preliminary estimates indicating that storm-related damages could amount
to hundreds of millions of Emalangeni.
Eswatini’s recovery will heavily depend on
both internal resources and international support. The Kingdom has sought
assistance from global partners to alleviate the financial burden and expedite
recovery efforts. Despite the country’s resilience, the journey to rebuild will
be fraught with obstacles as climate-related disasters continue to escalate in
frequency and severity.
December
gender-based violence [GBV] increases 52% to 170 cases
By
Sebentile Shongwe, Times of eSwatini, 10 January 2025
MBABANE: In December alone, 170 cases of
abuse were reported to SWAGAA, underscoring the magnitude of gender-based
violence (GBV) in Eswatini.
With a population of just over 1.3
million, Eswatini has been grappling with GBV such that per week, a life is
lost through the act and as such, 80 minors beneath the age of 11 being raped
in 11 months. This is a 52.35 per cent increase in the abuse recorded in
the past month when compared to December 2023 where 89 cases were recorded by
Swatini Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA).A report issued by SWAGAA, provided
a critical overview of these cases, highlighting key trends and patterns that
can inform prevention and intervention strategies.
SWAGAA Executive Director Nonhlanhla
Dlamini said these statistics do not fully reflect the magnitude of the
challenge, as they only represent cases reported to SWAGAA.
The report, which analysed data collected through SWAGAA’s helpline and
offices, provides a critical overview of the extent and nature of GBV in the
country. “These statistics, while concerning, likely represent only a fraction
of the actual cases. Many survivors remain silent due to fear, stigma, and lack
of access to support services,” Dlamini said. Emotional abuse emerged as
the most prevalent form, accounting for 50 per cent of cases reported through
the helpline. Physical abuse, neglect and sexual abuse followed, underscoring
the multifaceted nature of GBV.
To read more of this report, click
here
http://www.times.co.sz/news/148900-december-gbv-increases-52-to-170-cases.html
‘Unemployed
people are stripped their dignity’
eSwatini
Observer, Press Reader edition, 14 January
2025
The Swaziland Unemployment People Movement
Chairperson, Lucky Dlamini, says unemployed people are being stripped their
dignity because no one wants to protect them by giving them a basic income
grant.
Dlamini said if government could protect
the right of these people by giving them a grant of E1 500 monthly so they
could meet their basic needs, their dignity can be protected.
He said this would also help jobseekers
and avoid issues of unemployment.
According to Dlamini, more people are set
to join the list of unemployment since would be graduating and completing Form
V and be unable to continue with their studies due to lack as government
scholarships are limited.
“Unemployment is a serious issue in the
country and government needs to take urgent action because it does not help for
them to speak and do nothing. Government needs to transform its policies so
that they can be inclusive, ”Dlamini said.
He added that government should consider
giving people capital so that they can be able to start businesses. He said
people have experience but have no money to start their own businesses.
“Government should also consider giving
each inkhundla E10 million so that people can use that money to start
businesses and employ others,” he said.
Dlamini said 792 000 of the country’s
population had to be employed but highlighted that only 260 000 people were
employed. He said this showed that more still needed to be done when it comes
to the issue of unemployment.
He said there were still a lot of job
opportunities
eSwatini Prime Minister attends
Mozambique presidential inauguration amid controversy
By
Siphokazi Khumalo, Swaziland Democratic News, 15 January, 2025
MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE: Eswatini’s Prime
Minister, Russell Mmiso Dlamini, is in Maputo today, January 15, 2025, to
attend the inauguration of Mozambique’s newly elected President, Daniel Chapo.
The ceremony comes on the heels of Mozambique’s hotly contested elections,
which were marred by allegations of vote rigging and irregularities raised by
opposition parties, including PUDEMOS leader Vernicio Mondlane.
The disputed results have fuelled
political tensions and unrest in Mozambique, leaving the country grappling with
heightened instability and economic strain. Despite the challenges, Chapo’s
administration is poised to take charge in a deeply divided nation, with
regional leaders, including Prime Minister Dlamini, expressing solidarity with
the new government.
This inauguration underscores broader
concerns about democratic processes in Southern Africa, as calls for
transparency and accountability grow louder across the region. The
international community continues to watch closely as Mozambique navigates this
pivotal moment in its political history.
Govt’s efforts to save emaSwati from
cancer
By
Nonduduzo Kunene, Times of eSwatini, 15 January 2025
EZULWINI: The Ministry of Tourism and
Environmental Affairs, working hand in hand with stakeholders, is developing
Radiation Safety to save emaSwati from cancer.
Radiation safety is a set of practices and
precautions aimed at protecting people from the harmful effects of
radiation. The Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Jane
Simelane, yesterday called upon all stakeholders to join hands and support the
government in the process of formulating the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Act
and the regulations in order to speed up all the crucial activities that rely
on these pieces of legislation. The minister stated that the Nuclear and
Radiation Safety Bill had already been tabled in Parliament as is in the
legislative process.
Yesterday, the minister met with all the
stakeholders among government ministries and departments including the Ministry
of Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Tinkhundla
Administration and Development, as well as the police among others during a
workshop, where these experts in their various fields were sensitised and made
the necessary recommendations to the regulations. The formation of the
regulations is crucial in operating some pieces of the proposed
legislation. The minister noted that without the legislation, the country
cannot offer some medical services especially those where radiation and nuclear
is used such as chemotherapy and other forms of radiotherapy.
Speaking during the workshop said the
proposed law is not in the health sector only as there are so many sectors that
use radiation. She went on to state that the reason they worked on the
regulations even before the law was passed was to speed up the process so that
once the law is passed, the regulations will also be tabled to operationalise
the sections that require regulations. The minister said the public will also
be sensitised, because some of the areas where the radiation would be used are
within communities therefore, the public needs to know how to be safe around
these areas. She highlighted that radiation works in all sectors, hence
the ministry notes the mammoth task ahead of it in terms of sensitising the
nation about their safety.
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