For those of us who missed this, here’s a video showing about 100 South African trade unionists who picketed the Swaziland consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 15 November 2010 in support of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign and in support of a march held the previous day within the kingdom.
Speakers here are Skumbuso Pahkati, deputy president of the Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) and Bongani Musaku, international officer, Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). More more information on the march, click here
This is a statement from the Swaziland Democracy Campaign – South Africa – reporting on a picket to support pro-democracy activists in Swaziland that took place in Johannesburg, South Africa.
SDC Picket at Swazi Consulate in Johannesburg: What a resounding success
18 November 2010
Oh what an inspiration! A mere lunch hour picket turned into a big march as an unexpected number of workers pour in from different workplaces to express their disgust and outrage at the Swazi regime’s continued persecution of the struggling masses of Swaziland.
The whole Braampak area was littered with red t-shirts of workers from different COSATU affiliates, most notably SAMWU, as well as broader civil society organisations to express their unwavering support to the cause of Swazi workers. About 500 workers participated in the picket, admittedly the biggest lunch hour picket we have so far organised, except for marches and blockades whose numbers are way above that.
The fact that in the streets of Mbabane where rain was pouring, workers and the mass of the people braved a hostile weather to participate in the great march co-ordinated by the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC) in close liaison with the courageous trade union movement; SFTU, SFL and SNAT.
The very next day, today, the streets of Johannesburg experienced the same SDC fever, which rocked the city in a way never seen before. The rains started to pour and in the words of the MC of the proceedings, SDC Co-ordinator, Steve Faulkner, “thanks to the rain, the ancestors are out in their numbers to bless us with the rain”.
Various speakers presented their messages of solidarity. Amongst them was a representative of CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) who was part of their delegation currently in the country and have proven to be our most reliable friend in Canada on the Swazi and other critical questions of solidarity. We also had speakers from PUDEMO, COSATU, NGOs and social movements. Closing remarks were made by SDC Co-ordinator, Ntokozo Mbhele.
We take this opportunity as the SDC South Africa to express our sincere thanks to all those who sacrificed their lunch and made it their priority to offer their practical solidarity with the suffering people of Swaziland, including our guests and allies from outside the borders of South Africa who made very profound speeches.
The Memo was received by Sigayoyo Magongo, the Chief in charge of Trade and Commercial affairs in the High Commission in Pretoria who was together with Mr Tsabedze who heads the consulate.
Finally, the SDC South Africa Chapter expressed kind words of solidarity and salutations to fellow counterparts, the SDC Swaziland Chapter for their acts of bravery and heroism in proceeding to organise the action when the state and fellow commentators or even sojourners had written it off as a non-starter or impossible. It continued to say, “We extend special salutations to the trade union movement of Swaziland and their consistency in fighting for democracy together with all organised and progressive formations in the country, your work is an inspiration always and we are with you all the way”.
Messages of solidarity were received from all over the world and include; Denmark, Canada, Togo, Botswana, UK, Greece and from various organisations in South Africa.
The Co-ordinating team of the SDC is meeting next week to assess all these developments and a way forward shall be duly pronounced. We believe as a campaign movement our work is to organise action all the time.
Solidarity messages in support of the protest march held in Swaziland on Wednesday (17 November 2010) have come in from all over.
Here are some of them.
Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) supports the people of Swaziland in their quest for democracy, development, rights and justice. We support the efforts of those in Swaziland who are progressing the struggle for democracy, rights and freedom, in spite of the challenges imposed against them by the regime and add our voice of support to those from across southern Africa. The Swazi people are denied democratic rights; their freedom to organise and of expression is under the attack and in a country with the highest rate of HIV in the world there is a deepening economic crisis.
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA)joins the international community in supporting nurses and the entire working class of Swaziland as they embark on a mass action to demonstrate their opposition to the oppressive regime that exists in their country. With great admiration we commend the courage of Swaziland workers and community for their bold move to fight for democracy. We also wish to emphasize that we stand with them in their struggle to abolish the rule of a dictatorial rule.
POPCRUjoins the millions of progressive Allies in general in the country and across the globe to offer our unqualified support in consolidation of the demands for Democracy by the people of Swaziland and for the people of Swaziland. We applaud all progressive organizations in Swaziland unqualified for resolving to merge to form one Federation as part of the deepening of working class hegemony in the fight for Democracy and Freedom of Association in Swaziland. We reiterate a call for all revolutionaries to join all Swazis, Civil Society, Organized Labour and Community Based Organizations in Swaziland to work together for a real change against poverty, under-development, repressive regime, high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and absence of freedom of association.
SAMWUsalutes the trade union, civil, faith-based and social organisations of Swaziland for their continued courageous struggle for the democratic soul of Swaziland. As the infamous anniversary of Black Wednesday is once again upon us, we are reminded of the complete absence of democratic rights in Africa’s last remaining dictatorial monarchy. It is very clear at this time that the democratic movement in Swaziland is not only in a state of renewal, but is showing a determination that has not been seen for many years. The unity of purpose that is being shown by all democratic organisations is truly inspirational, despite the heavy handed responses of the repressive regime.
Swaziland Democracy Campaign South Africa takes this opportunity to express its full and profound support to the Wednesday, 17 November 2010 mass action in Swaziland, led by its counterparts, the SDC Swaziland Chapter. We salute the courage of Swazi workers and progressive forces in general for their undying commitment to the democratic cause. In this regard, we continue to render our fullest support. We further assure our comrades inside Swaziland and the world in general, that we shall never abdicate our responsibility to offer practical solidarity to the struggling people of Swaziland. The hostility of the Tinkhundla regime is the more reason for us to intensify our solidarity.
World Federation of Trade Unions salutes the gallant people and the working people of Swaziland in their determined and unwavering struggle against oppression and exploitation. We stand on the side of the masses of people who struggle to abolish poverty and want, unemployment and diseases, homelessness and hunger – the people who say enough is enough to the rule by the corrupt monarchy that continues to squander resources of the country whilst the poor citizens are ravaged by poverty and diseases, and HIV/AIDS in particular. We call on all peace loving people and organizations, all over the world, to support the efforts and struggle of the people of Swaziland led by their progressive organizations.
And a solidarity message from Unison is posted here.
These four reports on the protest march in Mbabane, Swaziland, yesterday (17 November 2010) are from the Times of Swaziland, the kingdom’s only independent daily newspaper.
MBABANE – The one-day ‘encouragement demonstration’ staged by organised labour unions yesterday in the capital city was turned into a political rally.
The placards carried by the more than 500 workers who took part in the event did not make mention of any of the issues that resulted in the protest action.
The list of issues over which the workers were demonstrating include the ‘removal of the SEC E55 monthly charges’, ‘withdrawal of Circular No 1 of 2010’, ‘abolishment of Scholarship Policy’, ‘shortage of drugs at health centres’, ‘removal of Public Service Bill’, ‘Removal of new Taxation roadmap’, ‘removal of labour brokers’, ‘introduction of transport and housing allowances for all workers’, and ‘representation of workers on the Tender Board’.
However, none of these issues were reflected on the placards. Instead, demonstrators displayed messages critical of Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini and his Cabinet, as well as the Kingdom’s system of governance.
Some of the posters carried by the workers read: ‘Viva Swaziland United Democratic Front’, ‘Tinkhundla uncaring, oppressive, misgoverns’, ‘workers unite against Tinkhundla’, ‘the world demands democracy in Swaziland now’, ‘Swazis march...cry democracy’, ‘Barnabas spend resources on the poor not politicians’ and ‘Majozi retrench politicians not the poor workers’.
During the demonstration, some of the union leaders were heard shouting ‘viva SWAYOCO’ and ‘viva PUDEMO’, in reference to two of the country’s banned political entities.
Previously, the country has witnessed political activists being arrested for shouting ‘viva’ for the proscribed entities but, yesterday, the police simply listened and did nothing.
Ironically, the demonstration was attended by Wandile Dludlu, former President of the proscribed Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO).
Also at the protest action was Professor Dlamini, a former leader of the banned SWAYOCO as well as a member of the People’s United Democratic Movement. Political activist Siphasha Dlamini, who is a school principal, was also part of the demonstration.
Dludlu, who not so long ago was removed by the police from a similar workers’ demonstration, joined yesterday’s protest action about two hours after it had commenced.
Wearing a red and black Nike sports jacket, a dark green cap, jeans and grasshopper shoes, Dludlu was not given a hard time by the police, numbering close to a hundred.
Dlamini, on the other hand, whose pinstriped blazer and leather cap stood out from the crowd, joined in the latter stages of the march until the end, when he was seen shaking hands with the union leaders, before leaving.
President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers, Sibongile Mazibuko, made a speech and called upon the country’s authorities to allow the existence of political parties.
"It’s not that we’re against the King. Even in Lesotho and the United Kingdom there are political parties but the monarch is also there. Wake up Swazis. Let’s get out of this darkness," the first SNAT female president said.
She said, as workers, they cannot avoid political issues when there are actions taken by politicians that touch directly on their welfare.
Rain fails to discourage workers
MBABANE – Yesterday’s incessant downpour failed to dampen the spirits of over 500 workers who took part in the ‘encouragement demonstration’.
Shortly before 10am there were fears that the turnout would be poor because of the rainfall but that was not to be, as buses coming from as far as Siteki and Nhlangano began arriving with hundreds of workers.
With some clad in rain coats, jackets, and boots and carrying umbrellas, the workers assembled near Coronation Park, where they displayed high spirits through song and dance before taking to the streets after an address by their leadership.
For close to four hours, the workers marched around the city in complete disregard of the rain, which gained momentum along with the demonstration.
Leaders of the demonstration could not help but praise the workers for having braved the wet and cold weather to be part of the protest action.
"I would like to thank you for being here despite the wet weather. Taking to the streets is our way of expressing discontent at the way our government is operating," said Muzi Mhlanga, the Secretary General of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers.
SNAT President Sibongile Mazibuko also said: "We’re not here for nothing. We’re not facing the rain for sweet. We shall fight on."
However, there were those workers who decided not to face the rain throughout and opted to take cover under the verandas and shelters available along the demonstration route.
Teachers show up in numbers
MBABANE – There was a huge presence of civil servants during yesterday’s demonstration in the capital city.
Teachers, with the Swaziland National Association of Teachers President, Sibongile Mazibuko, and Secretary General Muzi Mhlanga, appeared to form a majority of the public servants who took part in the protest action.
Mhlanga had announced the availability of transport for teachers wishing to be part of the demonstration.
Other civil servants present were nurses, as well as a couple of employees from the Central Transport Administration.
Workers out of order -Minister Magobetana
MBABANE – Minister of Labour and Social Security Patrick Magobetana Mamba said it would be very unfortunate if workers touched on political issues during yesterday’s demonstration.
The minister said even though he was not privy to what the workers had spoken about during the demonstration, he was however well aware of what the protest action was all about.
"All I know is that the workers were demonstrating over socio-economic issues. If they spoke political issues then they were out of order. It’s a pity," Mamba said.
The minister then admonished the workers: "I would like to warn them strongly if they are touching on political issues."
He then said he hoped they would address some of the issues that were of concern to the workers through the regular meetings of the Labour Advisory Body.
