12TH APRIL 2021, IN THE SHADOW OF MARIO AND JAN.

 

APRIL 12, 2021 IN THE SHADOW OF MARIO AND JAN. 

A MOMENT OF DEEP REFLECTION FOR ALL

Picture: In conversation. Mario Masuku (L) and Jan Sithole (Middle) 
 

April 12^th of every year in ESwatini has often been marred by political tensions characterised by clashes between the state and pro-democracy activists. The year 2021 is special in the sense that it is the first April 12 since the passing away of two pro-democracy movement stalwarts Mario Masuku and Jan Sithole passed away who passed away in early 2021 and late 2020 respectively.

Jan was widely celebrated as a trade union leader who was at the helm of the Swaziland Federation of Trade Union (SFTU) from the early 1980’s until 2009. Upon his retirement from SFTU Jan went on to launch a political party called the Swaziland Democratic Party (SWADEPA).

 Mario on the other hand was a long serving President of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), a political party that was also established in 1983, a politically uncertain era since the death of King Sobhuza II. In the ensuring period palace upheavals were to take place until he successful installation of the new king. A sign that one faction was eventually able to dominate the others and install their preferred candidate. 

In the aftermath of the installation of King Mswati III in 1986 the state machinery went into a reprisal campaign to deal with those who were perceived to be against the ascension of King Mswati to the throne. They used instruments such as the notorious and dreaded 60 days’ detention without trial law and treason charges. PUDEMO activists such as Mario Masuku, Zodwa Mkhonta, Professor Dlamini, Ray Russon and others were soon victims of treason charges. In subsequent decades Mario was arrested  countless times , making him the most decorated political prisoner in the history of Eswatini.  

Both the SFTU and PUDEMO (for the better part of the 80’s and 90’s the two were the only voices for democracy and social justice in the country) became key players in a mass action programme in favour of democratic change, socially responsive legislation and constitutionalism, amongst other demands. The demands were later packaged in a list of demands called The 27 Demands and led by the SFTU in the 1990’s.

Some of the demands were eventually implemented by the government ofcourse without any inkling of acknowledgement of the efforts of the mass movement. Instead, their overall attitude towards both workers and political opposition continued on a trajectory characterised by high levels of hostility, harassment, arrests, at times killings and otherwise suppression of opposition from the main stream public conversations.

The 2008 Suppression of Terrorism Act, targeting PUDEMO, revealed a new strategy of utilising the global reawakened anti-terrorism stance to suppress the opposition movement. Luckily the law never received international backing contrary to what the government had initially believed, and the government has had to quietly back away for implementing it in fear of international reprisals in the form of sanctions or just a negative international image.

In all these challenges both Mario and Jan were figures of critical presence and strength.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic and political change

During the COVID -19 period the big lie from which absolute rule is based seems to have finally unraveled and paper cracking the problem seem to also be failing miserably which begs the question, is change finally palpable in ESwatini?

In response to shifting public opinion a section of Members of Parliament (MPs) have also shown renewed enthusiasm and a new approach to their parliamentary work. MPs like Mduduzi ‘Magawugawu’, Simelane and Mduduzi ‘Bacede’ Mabuza have voiced openly critical sentiments of the Tinkhundla system with Mabuza openly calling for the system to be changed by parliament to the absolute shock of some loyalists.

 Could this call by Mabuza mark a moment of turn around and a start of a fresh start in Eswatini politics, contrary to beliefs in previous election, that there are solid opportunities within an absolute rule political order to conduct effective opposition work.

In honour of Jan Sithole and Mario Masuku, may the 12^th April 2021 be a day the movement for political change in ESwatini conduct some deep reflection particularly as to what prospects for changes and victory are there going forward. May the population finally realise the power of coming together as one unit and taking the politics of the country in a direction that they feel will serve their interests and aspirations.

 The future is in our hands!!