Swaziland Newsletter No. 789 – 11
August 2023
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.
Over 50% women lack power to say no to sex
By Sibusiso Dlamini, eSwatini Observer, 5
August 2023
SOURCE
About 51 per cent of women in
the country lack the power to say no to sex or to decide on contraception and
healthcare.
These statistics were shared by
the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Head of Office Margaret Thwala-Tembe
during the World Population Day commemoration and launch of this year’s state
of the world population report at the Happy Valley Hotel yesterday.
This year’s celebration was
held under the theme ‘Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the
voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities.’
“These critical decisions about
their lives are often made or influenced by others, whether partners, families,
societies or even government,” said Thwala-Tembe.
She said the power to make
decisions on one’s body varied by socio-economic status, stating that UNFPA’s
national data showed that rural women tend to have fewer choices than other
groups of women who are more affluent.
“If we use the case of
adolescent fertility, the birth rate among rural adolescent girls stands at 92
births per 1 000 adolescents, while it is 69 births for urban adolescent
girls,” she said.
She complained about this,
stating that people have the power to make informed choices about whether and
when to have children when they could exercise their rights and
responsibilities.
“Only then can they navigate
risks and become the foundation of more inclusive, adaptable and sustainable
societies.”
Coming to the commemoration,
she said the day was a reminder that we could still achieve a prosperous,
peaceful and sustainable future, adding that the State of World Population
Report has two key messages.
The first one is that we need
to shatter the myths about population, and the other message is that we need to
stop asking the wrong question of whether eight billion is about too many or
too less.
“The right question instead is
that can everyone exercise their fundamental human right to choose the number
and spacing of their children?” she asked.
Meanwhile, Minister of Economic
Planning and Development, Dr Tambo Gina, said the theme was a reminder to put
women and girls at the centre of development.
“Women and girls make up 51
percent of the population, which is enough reason to involve this major
population group in decision-making processes on matters that are of
significance to their lives,” said Gina.
To read more
of this report, click here.
http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=20898
Cabinet
Ministers Dr Thambo Gina, Mancoba Khumalo are guilty of corruption for
campaigning with State resources, Mswati must shoulder the blame
Opinion
by Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 9 August 2023
SOURCE
Outgoing Commerce Minister Mancoba
Khumalo was in Ndzevane-Lubulini on Wednesday, where he literally violated
Elections Laws and campaigned for Economic Planning Minister Dr Thambo Gina.
The Commerce, Industry and Trade Minister
announced that, a factory shell would be constructed within the area, it will
employ over one-thousand, seven hundred(1700) emaSwati.
Well, this is one of the political
blunders committed by King Mswati who extended the term of office for these
corrupt ‘political thugs’.
Apart from campaigning illegally, while in
office, they are likely to loot public funds in the next forty-three (43) days.
The credibility of the Tinkhundla
elections is already undermined by the elected Ministers who violate the law
with impunity, of course, when questioned, they will claim they were in their State
duties.
It might be true that as Mswati prepares
for the 55-55 Independence and King’s Birthday celebration, he needs the
services of the Cabinet Ministers.
But at least those who were nominated were
supposed to be dissolved so that they can compete fairly with the other
nominees.
But then, in this country, only one man
takes decisions, the Legal Notice No 183 issued by the King grossly undermines
the principles of free and fair elections, Cabinet Ministers are now using
State resources to campaign.
The dark side of the Swazi Monarchy - Chief Mtfuso in
exile for 23 years
By Eugene Dube, Swati Newsweek, 7 August 2023
SOURCE
MBABANE: Exiled and dethroned
Swazi Chief Mtfuso Dlamini (74) remains in exile after he was evicted by King
Mswati’s forces in the year 2000.
In an article published by
this publication (The Swati Newsweek Online) dated 19 May, 2020, the chief was
quoted saying that he awaited the intervention of British Queen Mother
Elizabeth II. Sadly, the British Queen mother passed on before assisting the
elderly citizen.
Dlamini narrated, “I am still
hoping that Queen Elizabeth II of Britain will help me in my plight. She sent
two male messengers to me in 2014. I would like to get feedback from the
Esteemed Queen, but sadly I cannot locate her representatives now. I met them
in South Africa in one hotel.”
“Kindly assist me my son. I
would be happy if this report gets to Queen Elizabeth II. I kindly ask her to
assist in my struggle for justice .”
Chief Dlamini was allegedly
evicted by King Mswati III in year 2000. He won in Swazi Court but the Swazi
Monarchy had made his return impossible.
The Ludzidzini Governor, who
is the voice of King Mswati III, gave his view on the issue. The Governor,
Lusendvo Fakudze, said; “I am not aware of who dethroned the Chief. What I am
aware of is that if the King dethrones someone, it is only the King who can
further reinstate him again, no one else.”
The chief was allegedly to
have been evicted and dethroned as chief from KaMkhweli Royal Kraal . He
explained; “I was forced into exile by the Swazi Monarchy. I was displaced. I
lost my position as chief. My source of income like the sugar cane business was
destroyed by the Swazi security agents. I had to flee as my life was at risk.”
In year 2000, a chieftaincy
dispute erupted in KaMkhweli and Macetjeni in Western Swaziland. King Mswati
III endorsed his late elder brother Prince Maguga as the new chief. Two chiefs
Mtfuso Dlamini and late Mliba Fakudze and some of their followers were
displaced by King Mswati’s security forces. They lost their sources of income
as they fled.
The chief also claims that the
Swazi Monarch has a history of abusing his family.
Hundreds of Swazis mostly
political activists and journalists had been forced into exile.
King warns against ritual murders
By Sifiso Nhlabatsi, eSwatini Observer, 5
August 2023
SOURCE
His Majesty King Mswati III has
warned the nation against ritual murders committed by those who hope to be
elected into parliament.
He said now that elections were
underway, the disappearance of the elderly children and people with albinism
must stop, as there were people who kill others with the hope that they would
have luck in winning political positions.
His Majesty said this during
the 15th Correctional Services Day, which also marked the passing-out parade of
372 trainees.
He warned that those committing
such atrocities would face the full wrath of the law and end up being guests of
the correctional services.
“People cannot get into
parliament by killing others,” His Majesty stated. He urged the public to make
sure that they work with law enforcement agencies to curb this practice. He
added that there was a need to address this cancer because it affected the core
fabric of society.
“We must live in harmony with each other.
“The violence against women and
children is a cause for concern. We implore the correctional services to fully
rehabilitate such offenders to reduce the chances of them relapsing into the
same behaviour of crime and this goes well with today’s theme,” His Majesty
stated.
When addressing the issue of
inmates and elections, His Majesty said given that offenders were an integral
part of society, they will return to their respective communities after
completing their sentences.
He said it was in this vein
that offenders were also allowed to register for the national elections, so
that they can exercise their democratic right to vote for their preferred
candidates to represent them in parliament.
The King said rehabilitation of
offenders was a societal responsibility where the nation and the Correctional
Services were expected to work hand in hand with society in ensuring that
recidivism was eradicated completely.
“This process will ensure the
safety of the public from criminal elements and also give an opportunity to
offenders to build their characters and correct their criminal behaviour to
regain the trust of their communities,” the King stated.
To read more
of this report, click here.
http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=20902
Efficient State-Owned Enterprises
Will Boost eSwatini’s Economic Growth
World Bank press release, 7 August 2023
SOURCE
Restructuring key State-Owned
Enterprises (SOEs) in Eswatini will create new opportunities for the private
sector and accelerate economic growth, says a World Bank report released today.
Making SOEs more efficient will reduce their reliance on public funding and
boost private sector-led growth, which is much needed to absorb the growing youth
labor force, according to the report.
Eswatini’s economy has faced
low growth, high fiscal deficits, and unprofitable SOEs in the past few years.
The first edition of the Eswatini Economic
Update – Raising the Game with Efficient State-Owned Enterprises, highlights that SOEs provide basic infrastructure
services to businesses and households, and as such, improving their performance
will support private sector activity.
The report analyzes recent
global and domestic economic developments and assesses Eswatini’s short- and
medium-term prospects. It also examines the role of SOEs in enhancing economic
performance, evaluating their contribution to the economy, identifying
limitations, and proposing areas and actions for reform. The report highlights
the urgent need for action to achieve socio-economic aspirations, reduce
poverty, and address high unemployment rates.
“The World Bank is ready to
support Eswatini in implementing these reforms and fostering sustainable
economic development. By embracing these transformative changes, Eswatini can
chart a course towards strengthening economic growth, thus improving the lives
of all its citizens, and securing a prosperous future,” said Marie
Francoise Marie-Nelly, World Bank Country Director for Eswatini, Botswana,
Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa.
“The first edition of the
Eswatini Economic Update represents a good foundation for data-driven policy
formulation. The recommendations are well aligned with our aim to shift to a
more private sector-led growth model that can promote inclusive, sustainable,
and resilient economic growth, as reflected in the World Bank’s Country
Partnership Framework for the Kingdom of Eswatini,” said
the Honorable Thambo Gina, Eswatini’s Minister of Economic Planning and
Development.
The report indicates that
Eswatini experienced a brief economic improvement after the COVID-19 pandemic,
but growth has since slowed. Prior to the pandemic, the economy grew at an
average annual rate of 2.1 percent from 2015 to 2019. However, challenges such
as a narrow economic base, a large public sector, cumbersome government
regulations, and constrained socio-political and external environment hindered
sustainable growth.
In 2023, domestic factors,
including socio-political uncertainty and slow reforms, continue to impede
growth. Economic growth is projected to slow further in 2023 and 2024. Rising
prices compounded these challenges, adversely affecting household welfare and
increasing poverty. External shocks, such as the war in Ukraine, contributed to
inflation rising to 4.8 percent in 2022. To reduce inflationary pressures, the
central bank tightened monetary policy by increasing its discount rate from 4
percent to 7.5 percent (above pre-COVID rates) between early 2022 and July
2023.
To read more
of this press release, click here.
https://african.business/2023/08/apo-newsfeed/efficient-state-owned-enterprises-will-boost-eswatinis-economic-growth
No
need to apologise, we’ve not broken any law - SWAYOCO
By Sithembile
Hlatshwayo, Times of eSwatini, 9 August 2023
SOURCE
MBABANE: “We do not see the need for a public apology as we
have not broken any law.”
The above statement was made
by proscribed entity, the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO) Secretary General
(SG) Mthobisi Ntshangase. His statement comes after the Deputy Prime
Minister (DPM), Themba Masuku, called upon the political formation to make a
public apology to the nation on Monday afternoon, following the participation
of children during its celebration on Saturday.
Masuku said this was because
the use of children in such activities was seen as contrary to the fundamental
principles and rights of the ‘Best interest of the Child’, stipulated by the
United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child and the Children’s
Protection and Welfare Act (CPWA), 2012. Ntshangase said if the DPM
strongly felt that the law had been broken, he should officially write to the
organisation and cite the law that was contravened. He said after
receiving the complaint, they would also engage their legal team, should they
find that the law was indeed contravened. “For now, we still stand that there
was no law that was broken considering what transpired during the day.” He
said both the CPWA and the Constitution were not broken in any way, including
other legislation globally. Ntshangase said for now, they considered what the
DPM said as accusations made towards the organisation, which were baseless.
According to Ntshangase, their
membership included children from 14 years upwards. However, he stated
that when it came to attendance of their activities, anyone was allowed,
regardless of age, as long as they would not in any way be exposed to danger.
He said the celebration was similar to any other activity, including community
meetings, which were attended by anyone. Meanwhile, the DPM stated that
they did not care whether or not the organisation issued an apology but were of
the view that they had abused children. Masuku said as leaders, they
should be aware of what the legislation said about abuse of children, in
particular for their own gain.
To read more of this
report, click here
http://www.times.co.sz/news/141398-no-need-to-apologise%2C-we%E2%80%99ve-not-broken-any-law-swayoco.html
See also
Children’s participation in SWAYOCO
celebration probed
http://www.times.co.sz/news/141381-children%E2%80%99s-participation-in-swayoco-celebration-probed.html
Govt’s 3% COLA offer: PSUS want 8.7%
By Stanley Khumalo, Times
of eSwatini, 8 August 2023
SOURCE
MANZINI: As government tabled three per cent as the cost-of-living
adjustment (CoLA), it has been confirmed that civil servants, through their
unions, are seeking 8.7 per cent.
According to sources, civil servants through their unions under the
banner of Public Sector Unions (PSUs) of Swaziland shall tomorrow table their
position paper, wherein they seek 8.7 per cent. The PSUs, who are the
National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU), Swaziland
Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU), Swaziland National Association of Government
Accounting Personnel (SNAGAP) and Swaziland National Association of Teachers
(SNAT), represent about 21 535 public service workers, based on their four
unions’ membership updates, who are a fraction of the 42 686 civil servants,
according to the Establishment Register for the financial year 2022/23. It is
worth noting that not all civil servants are eligible to be part of unions as
there are those classified as un-unionisable workers in the civil service. On
behalf of their members, the quartet is said to be seeking the aforementioned
percentage as it accommodates the inflation rate of the past year, which was
4.8 per cent.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), inflation
is the rate of increase in prices over a given period of time. It is said
to be typically a broad measure, such as the overall increase in prices or the
increase in the cost of living in a country. The Governor of the Central
Bank of Eswatini (CBE), Dr Phil Mnisi, recently announced that Eswatini’s gross
domestic product (GDP) grew by a slower 1.1 per cent year-on-year (seasonally
adjusted) in the first quarter of 2023, down from a revised growth of 6.7 per
cent in the fourth quarter of 2022.
On the other hand, he said the country’s headline consumer inflation
declined to 5.3 per cent in June 2023, from six per cent in May 2023. “The
bank reviewed down its inflation forecasts to 5.6 per cent (from 5.7 per cent
forecasted in May) for 2023 while the forecast for 2024 was revised up to 5.4
per cent (from 5.3 per cent). The inflation forecast for 2025 was unchanged at
5.13 per cent. Risks to the inflation outlook include supply chain disruption
due to the Russia-Ukraine, oil prices uncertainty and high food prices,” Mnisi
said.
Meanwhile, the sources said the unions were seeking the addition of the
inflation percentage, as it was what their salaries were corroded with. They
said they were anticipating an increment in the cost of living given
projections that there could be a drought in the upcoming months. This, they
said, would further hike the prices of food as there would be limited supply of
agricultural products. On the other hand, in addition to the 2022 inflation
rate of 4.8 per cent, the sources said the civil servants were looking to
benefit from the GDP, which was recorded at 3.9 per cent.
To read more of this report, click here.
http://www.times.co.sz/news/141383-govt%E2%80%99s-3-cola-offer-psus-want-8.7.html
See also
World Bank, economist
must mind their business – PSUS
http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=20926
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