Swaziland Newsletter No. 863 – 7 February 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.
King
calls for food sovereignty, agricultural growth
By
Nhlanganiso Mkhonta, Times of eSwatini, 3 February 2025
MBABANE: His Majesty King Mswati III has
reaffirmed the Kingdom of Eswatini’s commitment to achieving food sovereignty,
emphasising the importance of local food production to reduce reliance on
imports. Addressing the nation during the 2025 Speech from the Throne, the
king highlighted key government initiatives aimed at strengthening the
country’s agricultural sector, improving water security and promoting
agro-processing industries.The King emphasised that financial resources alone
do not guarantee food security, making it crucial for Eswatini to produce what
it eats rather than depending on external markets.”Food sovereignty remains a
priority for the Kingdom of Eswatini. The country is aiming at producing all
the food that it eats since the availability of financial resources does not
guarantee a provision of food,” said the king…
Recognising the need to adapt to changing
climatic conditions, the king announced that government continues to provide
incentives for farmers to diversify their crop production…
In another significant development, the
king highlighted that government is constructing a distribution centre and cold
storage facility at the King Mswati III International Airport. This
infrastructure is aimed at supporting the commercialisation of agriculture and
enabling farmers to export fresh produce to regional and international
markets.
To read the full report, click here
http://www.times.co.sz/business/149251-king-calls-for-food-sovereignty-agricultural-growth.html
King
announces increase in elderly grants
By
Musa Simelane, eSwatini Observer, 2 February 2025
In a major boost for Eswatini’s elderly
population, His Majesty King Mswati III has announced that social grants for
senior citizens will be increased in the coming financial year to help them
cope with the rising cost of living.
The grant will be increased from E500 per
month to a yet to be determined figure.
The king emphasised that taking care of vulnerable groups, particularly the
elderly, was a national duty that must be prioritised.
“Due to inflationary issues and the burden
often experienced by elderly persons, their grants will be increased this
coming fiscal year,” he declared.
The decision to increase elderly grants is
expected to alleviate financial strain on thousands of senior citizens, many of
whom depend solely on these stipends for survival.
The rising cost of food, healthcare and
basic necessities has made life increasingly difficult for older Emaswati,
prompting the government to take action…
Makes call for affordable healthcare
for all
His Majesty King Mswati III has made a
powerful call for universal healthcare access, emphasising that no Liswati
should be turned away from receiving medical treatment due to lack of
resources.
The king stressed that affordable
healthcare was a fundamental right and should be accessible to all citizens,
regardless of their financial situation.
“Life is for everyone despite one’s
affordability. Services must be availed to all at all times,” His Majesty
declared.
As part of the country’s healthcare
transformation, the king urged government to establish minimum standards for
all hospitals and clinics.
This, he said, would ensure that every
health facility was equipped with essential medical equipment and supplies, a
steady stock of life-saving drugs and proper infrastructure to cater to all
patients.
“The good health of our nation is integral
to our development. While the country has programmes in the health sector, we
need to improve on providing an affordable healthcare, which caters for all
Emaswati,” he stated…
King calls for ‘buy local initiative’
support
His Majesty has renewed calls for Emaswati
to support local businesses through the buy local initiative.
He said economic empowerment started with
supporting home-grown enterprises.
The king stressed that local businesses are the backbone of the nation’s
economy and should be given priority in both public and private sector
procurement.
“It is vital that we promote and support
local products and services to strengthen our economy and create more jobs for
our people,” His Majesty stated.
The buy local initiative is seen as a key
driver of economic sustainability in Eswatini.
By prioritising local products and services, the nation can: retain wealth
within the country, reduce dependence on imports and support small and medium
enterprises (SMEs), which are essential for job creation…
Government must prioritise local
contractors in projects
Government has been tasked to ensure
meaningful participation of local contractors in major infrastructure projects.
His Majesty King Mswati III strongly
emphasised that development should directly benefit Emaswati. As the country
embarks on multi-billion emalangeni projects, including the Mpakeni Dam, new
Parliament, Lubombo and Shiselweni roads and energy and mining initiatives, he
said local businesses must not be side-lined in favour of foreign companies.
“We call upon the government to ensure
that local contractors participate meaningfully in these projects so that the
people and the local economy derive tangible benefits beyond the new
infrastructure,” His Majesty stated…
To read the full report, click here
http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=23506
King
Mswati’s speech a consistent lie from the Throne, turns Parliament into ‘Sunday
School’ by leading MPs in hypocritical prayer while emaSwati live in extreme
poverty
Opinion
by Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News. 3 February 2025
King Mswati delivered one of the most
useless speeches during the Official Opening of Parliament last week and, in
the middle of his Speech from the Throne, he opted to lead Parliamentarians in
a hypocritical prayer thus turning the Honorable House of Parliament into a “Sunday
school” with MPs and Senators repeating the prayer after their ‘Sunday school
teacher’.
Perhaps, let me clarify and declare that I
am a Christian but, against the abuse of religion to manipulate the minds of
the people in pushing an oppressive political agenda.
Well in February 2020, I wrote an article
titled “King Mswati’s Speech a lie from the Throne” and soon thereafter, I was
kidnapped by armed police officers from the premises my home at LaMgabhi
eTiyeni, dragged to the Mbabane Police Station where I tortured merely for
criticizing a Head of State and doing my job as journalist.
The police officers were commanded by the
late Deputy National Commissioner Sam Mthembu who told me during the torture
that, as police officers, they will deal with me ensure that I don’t criticize
Mswati.
The Deputy National Commissioner
subsequently died in January 2021 and I want the now ‘ghost and cruel senior
police officer’ to read under a similar headline that, I will criticize the
King until the last breath, it’s my duty as a journalist to hold King Mswati
and his Tinkhundla cruel and undemocratic Government accountable.
It should be noted that, this country is
struggling with one of the highest poverty rates in the world but, we have a
dictator who lives an extravagant lifestyle while, and despite the availability
of natural resources including minerals in eSwatini, ordinary emaSwati live in
squalor.
Reciting well-written but useless Speeches
from the Throne will not address the socio-economic ills in this country, a
recent Executive Order by newly inaugurated United States(US) President Donald
Trump demonstrated clearly that, Tinkhundla is a useless dictatorship regime
that relies heavily, on foreign donors for social services while taxpayers or
public funds are looted by King Mswati including those who are influential,
powerful and politically connected, of course, with ties to the royal family.
To feed more of this commentary,
click here
https://swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=8312
He sits on gold while his
people starve, Mswati III of Swaziland
Opinion
by Gavin Mndawe, Opera News, 3 February 2025
Draped in jewels, perched atop
a golden throne, King Mswati III recently presided over
the opening of the Second Session of
the 12th Parliament in 2025. The dazzling display of wealth was impossible
to ignore—a stark contrast to the dire reality faced by millions of emaSwati
who struggle daily to afford basic necessities.
While the King sat comfortably on his
gilded seat, many of his people couldn’t afford a decent meal. Hunger, poverty,
and economic despair continue to plague the nation, yet the monarchy’s
extravagance knows no bounds. This image—one man on a golden throne while his
people suffer—is more than symbolic; it is the living reality of Eswatini’s
wealth disparity.
King Mswati III, Africa’s last absolute
monarch, controls nearly every aspect of the country’s wealth. His
fortune, estimated to be in the billions, comes from state funds, lucrative
private business ventures, and Eswatini’s national resources. Meanwhile,
over 60% of the population lives in poverty, surviving on less
than $1.90 a day.
His fleet of Rolls-Royces, BMWs, and
Maybachs glide through roads lined with desperate street vendors, hoping
to sell enough for a meal. His private jet, a multimillion-dollar luxury,
soars over homes where running water and electricity are a privilege.
The lavish birthday celebrations, the extravagant spending on palaces, and
the opulent lifestyle of his many wives and children all paint a damning
picture: wealth is hoarded at the top while the majority suffer below.
It is no secret that state resources
fund the royal family’s lifestyle. Public funds, intended for national
development, have been redirected to satisfy the monarchy’s insatiable appetite
for luxury. Schools lack textbooks, hospitals run out of medicine, and
infrastructure crumbles—yet the King continues to accumulate unimaginable
wealth.
The 2021 pro-democracy
protests were a clear sign that the people of Eswatini are tired of the
imbalance. Citizens took to the streets, demanding change, only to be met with
violence and suppression. The King, instead of listening, responded with brutal
crackdowns, mass arrests, and a complete disregard for human rights.
At the opening of Parliament, the golden
chair Mswati sat on was more than just a piece of furniture—it was
a monument to inequality. His speech touched on the economy, reforms, and
policies, but the real message was already delivered by the visuals: Eswatini’s
leader lives like a god while his people suffer like beggars. As the world
watches, the question remains: How much longer will the people of Eswatini
tolerate this? The golden throne may shine, but its foundation is built on
the suffering of a nation.
Government to engage US over Trump’s
aid freeze
By
Sifiso Nhlabatsi, eSwatini Observer, 30 January 2025
Government has moved to assure the nation
that it will seek to engage with the United States of America (USA) following
the suspension of foreign aid.
In a statement, government spokesperson
Alpheous Nxumalo said government had noted the concerns by the public following
the ‘abrupt freezing of foreign aid pending a review’ by President Donald
Trump’s administration.
As such, Nxumalo assured that diplomatic
efforts were underway to address the sudden suspension of foreign aid, adding
that a meeting was slated for this week with the US Embassy.
Nxumalo further acknowledged the public’s
concerns about the potential impact of the aid freeze, which could have
devastating consequences for developing nations such as Eswatini.
However, he emphasised that the US was within its sovereign right to prioritise
its national interests through the ‘America First’ policy.
“Whilst acknowledging the devastating
impact that this Executive Order will have on developing nations such as ours,
it is equally important to acknowledge that 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.
He stated that government considers this a
matter of urgent priority. Nxumalo said, therefore, arrangements to engage the
United States, through diplomatic channels, had already been made. He said as
such, the Minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation will be
meeting with the United States Embassy in Eswatini this week for further
appraisal on this matter.
“Government will keep the nation updated
of developments in that regard. In the meantime, government implores emaswati
to remain positive as we await the conclusion of this matter,” Nxumalo stated.
The US has been one of Eswatini’s key
development partners, particularly in the health sector.
Through the President’s Emergency Plan for
AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Washington invested millions of dollars annually in
combating HIV/AIDS in Eswatini, a country which was considered to have one of
the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world. Other forms of aid have
supported economic development, governance, and education programmes.
Trump’s decision to freeze foreign aid
aligns with his administration’s broader policy of reassessing US financial
commitments abroad, particularly to countries perceived as overly dependent on
American assistance. Economists have stated that any prolonged disruption could
severely impact ongoing health initiatives, particularly access to life-saving
antiretroviral treatment.
To read more of this report, click
here
http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=23496
See also
CANGO executive director Thembinkhosi
Dlamini: US President Donald Trump’s decision to halt donor funding to affect
poor emaSwati in the rural areas, some were receiving money for subsistence
farming.
https://swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=8322
Impact of USAID closure on eSwatini
http://www.times.co.sz/news/149277-impact-of-usaid-closure-on-eswatini.html
eSwatini continues to ignore calls
for probe into murder of human rights lawyer
By Nomathamsanqa
Masiko-Mpaka, Daily Maverick (South Africa), 3 February 2025
Two years after Eswatini human rights
lawyer Thulani Maseko was gunned down in his living room, there is no
indication that the government has undertaken or is prepared to undertake a
credible investigation…
Last month marked two years since Maseko’s
assassination, and human rights activists, non-governmental organisations,
governments, and other actors have released media
statements commemorating Maseko. Everyone once again called for an independent
and credible investigation into his killing.
However, I was left feeling disheartened
and disillusioned, because Eswatini authorities have ignored this call for two
years.
There is no indication that the government
has undertaken or is prepared to undertake a credible investigation.
Tanele Maseko confirmed that she had not heard from the police handling the
case. Instead, she is the one periodically calling them to follow up on
the progress of the investigation — follow-up calls that have yielded no
results.
Will the Maseko family ever get the
answers they so desperately need? Will Thulani’s killer ever be apprehended?
Will there ever be justice for victims of the June 2021 protests? Is there an
end in sight for the human rights crisis in Africa’s last absolute monarchy?
To read more of this report, click
here
This
newsletter and previous editions are available online here.
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