Solidarity News

SIYAYA eSWAZILAND: Forward to the 7th September, 2010 Global day of action

The SDC – South Africa convened Civil society meeting held in Johannesburg this past week took the opportunity to welcome the growing momentum towards the 7th September Global Day of Action in Swaziland. After receiving the state of readiness report, it then identified specific action areas to be tightened in the final days of the build-up.
These identified specific action areas are;

• The 5th September, 2010 (this coming Sunday) is an international day of prayer in all churches and religious organisations for democracy in Swaziland. It is dedicated to the suffering people of Swaziland and their desire to be free.
• The SDC shall be organising trips to other countries in the SADC region to organise and mobilise support for the Swazi cause, which shall be arranged in conjunction with Swazi civil society organisations to intensify the international campaign for democracy in Swaziland. In the trips, we shall meet governments, civil society and other structures in each country.
• Press Conferences, both in South Africa and inside Swaziland shall be held this Wednesday to inform the world and people about the state of readiness
• SDC must write to all civil society organisations calling for their continuing commitment and effective participation by indicating their final delegations for the global day of action
• Wednesday shall be the day for final blitzing on the streets
• We have secured the support and services of the Southern African Human Rights Defenders Trust to work on the case of Thobile Gwebu who is facing difficulties in the UK.
Finally, we took the opportunity to salute the hard work and dedication of all organisations and people involved in preparing for the Global Day of Action inside Swaziland. We take note of their efforts to make every home, church, workplace, school, social and cultural centre, and every community a site of struggle. The next and final meeting of Civil society shall be held at the same venue, COSATU House, this coming Friday (3rd September, 2010), starting at 9am.

The history of Swaziland shall be written before and after the 7th September,2010.
Siyaya eSwaziland,7th September!

Press Statement: 20 August 2010

SDC launch Operation Siyaya eSwaziland: 7th September, Global Day of action

The SDC Co-ordinating Committee met to receive and consider reports on the state of readiness for the historic Global day of action for democracy in Swaziland, 7th September, 2010. From the numerous reports received it was incredible the amount of global enthusiasm and support that the campaign has been able to amass. Impressive reports from as far as Australia, North America and Europe on top of those from most countries in Africa, including Botswana and Namibia confirmed that indeed, eSwaziland Siyaya (we are going to Swaziland no matter what!).

But even more impressive was the report received from our counterparts inside Swaziland who are working under very demanding, hostile and life-threatening conditions. It was clear from the report, authenticated by a team of SDC South Africa Chapter that has just returned from Swaziland, that the people of Swaziland cannot wait any longer for their freedom. The Global day of action presents to them a close possibility for their liberation and they have committed all their resources and lives, working together with all civil society organisations, to use this rare window of opportunity to make a difference in the political life of their country.

We also take this opportunity to indicate that we have been doing some work on the issue of Thobile Gwebu, the UK based Swazi exile, with our comrades from ACTSA (former anti-apartheid organisation), who is still facing difficult conditions in the UK and are doing all possible to ensure her safety to the extent of even developing options in case things worsen for her there. It is our responsibility to defend victims of the oppressive tinkhundla regime who have taken a stand for democracy in Swaziland.

We are highly grateful to the many friends and supporters of the Swazi people’s cause for democracy, particularly the global trade union movement for their practical support and solidarity in various forms towards this event and beyond. We further take this opportunity to salute COSATU and its affiliates for pledging to send their delegations and in the process, committing resources to the cause, which is true to the traditions of this giant working class movement, “an injury to one is an injury to all”. The Swazi people received this news with such deep sense of gratitude and inspiration.

A final meeting of South African Civil society to concretise our plans and get details about how things are shaping up in Swaziland and all over the world in the build up to the day is planned for next week 27th September, 2010 starting at 9h00, COSATU House.

For more information please contact: Ntokozo Mbhele on 072 370 0974 ntokozo@publicservices.co.za or Philani Ndebele on 076 942 3565 philani@asc.org.za

Swaziland Democracy Campaign
(SDC)
Global day of action for democracy in
Swaziland –
7th September, 2010
With in-built activities for the whole week, particularly 6-8th September all over Swaziland

Why the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC)?

The founding document of the SDC stated in bold terms the following assertion, “The eyes of ordinary Swazi people and the world, are focussed on this historic and watershed initiative, the Swaziland Democracy Campaign. The reason being that the crime of tinkhundla oppression in Swaziland has persisted for too long. Almost everywhere people are convinced that this initiative marks a decisive moment, the beginning of the end of tinkhundla system. In that regard, everyone further recognise that the people in whose name this decisive struggle is waged, will always be at the centre of the process that will result in the final defeat of oppression and the crime of royal supremacy in Swaziland.”

Born of the organic struggles of the Swazi people and their genuine allies all over the world, the Swaziland Democracy Campaign is an initiative seeking to amplify the voices of the suffering and struggling people of Swaziland. It is the direct extension of the Swazi people’s struggles into the global arena and only acts in their interests and under their political guidance.

The people of Swaziland live under conditions of extreme political repression. Political activity is banned and the most basic of rights are denied. Arbitrary arrests and imprisonment, beatings, torture, disappearances and even murders, are part of the fabric of the repressive methods of the regime. In an attempt to justify their rule, traditional Swazi culture has been stolen by the Royal Elite from the people, and is used to instill fear and submission. Terrifying levels of unemployment, poverty and hunger are present everywhere and are compounded by alarming rates of HIV and diseases associated with poverty.

Since 1973, the Swazi Monarchy has the dubious honour of maintaining the longest state of emergency anywhere on the continent. It has literally turned the country into an open-air prison controlled by a series of draconian laws. Every sphere of life in society has become militarised. The notorious Suppression of Terrorism Act is but the latest indication that repression is to be extended. Despite these conditions, within Swaziland there are many people of courage and dignity who are prepared to make common cause in their communities, their workplaces, their schools and colleges, and in their places of worship. They are prepared to unite and challenge the repression and the wastefulness of the royal elite. They are prepared to make sacrifices for the country they love, and it is to these brave and honourable people that we must reach out to. We believe there must be no ambiguity about our moral duty to support those who are oppressed to resist and struggle for liberation, justice and democracy

Background to the Swaziland Democracy Campaign: What is the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC)

Dating back to the dark days of apartheid, the sister peoples of Swaziland and their South African counterparts have always forged common cause against oppression, particularly given the context of the direct and open collaboration between the tinkhundla regime and its patrons, the then apartheid regime.

These seeds of collaboration and unity in struggle were to be nourished beyond the defeat of apartheid in South Africa. They are premised on the clear belief that oppression anywhere is a threat to democracy everywhere. After obtaining democracy in South Africa, the workers and fighting masses of South Africa never forgot their historic duty to their neighbours and recognise the Swazi struggle as an integral part of their own struggles, hence central to the defence, consolidation and advancement of the South African revolution itself. This led to the numerous support initiatives; marches, border blockades, pickets and raising the plight of the Swazi people in various international forums.

However, there was recognition that not enough has been and is being done to make a decisive difference in the political landscape of Swaziland, hence the decision to intensify co-ordination by all who are involved on both sides of the border. These efforts led to the birth of the Witbank and Johannesburg initiatives of COSATU which were instrumental in bringing together both South African and Swazi organisations to develop common perspectives around heightening the momentum within and beyond the borders of Swaziland.

The trade union movement of Swaziland and South Africa, as well as the political and social movements of both countries played an instrumental role in various of these initiatives. The most key was the effort by the trade union movement to co-ordinate a global campaign for the boycott of goods and businesses associated with the royal family, particularly targeting luxury goods and calling for smart sanctions against the royal family in order to exert sufficient pressure for them to succumb to the call for change in the country. This momentum generated enormous global attention and drew in more trade unions to play their part. However, it had to slow down for various reasons.

These initiatives gave birth to the Joint Swazi Action Campaign (JSAC) that tried to neatly weave the activities inside the country and those outside in order to maximise impact, but particularly aimed at drawing in more forces globally to support the cause of the Swazi people and strengthen their fighting capacity on the ground. The consolidation of all these processes gave birth to the giant we are part of today, the Swaziland Democracy Campaign.

The future belongs to those who claim and fight for it

Therefore, the birth of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign is an expression of both the desire to be free by the Swazi people and the desire to stand in defence of justice and democracy by the South African people. It is a partnership of comrades and democrats on both sides of the borders and all over the world, ranged against enemies of progress and justice in our region and continent.

This initiative aims to;
• Maximise the co-operation and unity in struggle of all forces involved in the campaign for democracy in Swaziland, within and outside Swaziland
• Isolate the oppressive ruling regime of Swaziland (tinkhundla) inside and outside the country
• Raise the profile of the Swazi people’s struggle for democracy, as well as mobilise all possible support for the organisations and suffering people of Swaziland
• Build a global movement for democracy along the lines of the former anti-apartheid movement
The SDC was publicly launched in February, 2010 and adopted the following key campaigning priorities as its guide;Top of Form
• A global week of action beginning on April 12, 2010 which had a series of in-built activities, including the Launch of the SDC Swaziland Chapter, which was violently disrupted by the Swazi police, the highly successful Public seminar on the real issues in Swaziland and COSATU-led Mpumalanga Provincial activities.
• Development of a Swaziland Information Bank where we shall continuously deposit and receive information about developments inside the country on a regular basis.
• Establishment of a Swazi Democracy Fund.
• A Global march for democracy in Swaziland, otherwise known as the Swazi Democracy March (SDM), on September 7, 2010, to coincide with the so-called independence celebrations; to raise and popularise the struggle for democracy. This march shall involve people from all over the world joining the Swazi people inside Swaziland for a historic march, in order to make the world taste the reality faced by the Swazi people everyday. The SDM shall include fact-finding missions, visits to various areas to assess the conditions in the country and briefings. A huge media contingent from all over the world is expected to accompany the events.
• An acceleration of a comprehensive boycott of luxury goods of the ruling class and the non-handling of items such as weapons by workers all over the world, that are used to brutalise the people, isolation of members of the oppressive regime from schools and other places where they receive superior attention that those reserved for ordinary people inside the country.
What is the Global day of action?

The global day of action was adopted by the Public launch of the SDC in February, which was the most representative forum bringing together all the key players involved in the Swazi question on both sides of the border. It was meant to generate global focus on the deepening crisis in Swaziland and the need to move beyond words into action for change.

The global day of action means that everyone, everywhere must be involved in some form of action or another to raise the issues facing the people of Swaziland. There are three (3) forms of action expected all over the world and anyone can choose that which is convenient;

• Joining the main Global March and related events taking place inside Swaziland (exact place to be announced by SDC Swaziland Chapter)

• Organising a march to the Swazi embassy or consulate in our various countries or where no such embassy exists, to government offices to raise the demands of the Swazi people

• Sending messages of solidarity and demand to the Prime Minister’s offices in Swaziland and copying to the SDC.

It is encouraged that we do all of these wherever possible, but any one of them would be greatly welcome too. It is in this spirit that we say on this day, everyone should do something, however small it may appear.

But the key elements of the programme are;

• Mass action in Swaziland, 6-8th September, with the 7th being the Global day of action with the whole world acting in solidarity with the struggling masses of Swaziland.

• Following the launch of the Swazi government’s visit programme, we have also developed our own routes for the visitors to get to know the real cold facts or unfamiliar sites and areas in Swaziland that the tourist guide does not show the visitors. These places include;

o Vuvulane Irrigated Farms (VIF) and surrounding areas of massive poverty,
o Kamkhweli and Macetjeni villages that were mowed down by royal force and evicted families out of the country
o Public hospitals, which have become sites of silent genocide and everlasting pain for the poor who cannot afford private health, while the royal family has built its own classic state-of-the-art private health institution and have regular access to international, particularly South African health services.
o Victims of poverty, HIV/AIDS and deepening unemployment crisis who need our care, support and practical solidarity. Their side of the story is always hidden and this is the time for the tourist to know and hear them too.
o SAPPI and SATELLITE – Street Vendors

• Fact-finding mission to raise international awareness and profile the issues of the Swazi people

• Public launch of a series of activities building up to the day, with a National Defiance Campaign as one of them and others to be publicly announced soon.

What can you do to support the cause?

New ideas around how best to popularise the day, encourage action and inspire more people to join the cause are welcome. Meanwhile, the various activities mentioned herein would benefit from every individual and organisation opting to play their part in doing something that will either result in others taking action or lending support to what has already been indicated herein.

We must organise Swazi Democracy Action Committees to prepare and organise these activities in our own areas and locals. But we encourage even more that we do all within our powers to ensure that everyone is able to go into Swaziland to render practical support, it’s a lifetime experience and all of us must cherish the historic nature of the moment.

The following and other activities are encouraged;

• Organise Public meetings and workshops that brings together all organisations of civil society in our own countries to discuss the situation and developments in Swaziland

• Prepare leaflets and posters that popularise the day and the demands of the Swazi people for multiparty democracy and an end to the brutal repression, detention and killing of workers and activists by the ruling tinkhundla regime

• Organise marches and pickets in the build up towards and during the Global week of action to demand action from your own government and civil society in support of the Swazi people’s demands

• Draft petition and submit to your own parliamentarians and local councillors demanding action

• Boycott all goods and services to and from Swaziland during that whole week to effect economic pressure against the ruling regime and hit them where it matters the most, their pockets.

Join the march and be part of change,
Spread the information about the march
Sign the petition calling for unbanning of T-shirts
Petition your government to call for unbanning of political parties in Swaziland
Defy the draconian laws

For more information please contact:

SDC Swaziland Chapter
Mary Pais Da Silva +268 76024007 mpsdasilva@gmail.com
Sikelela Dlamini +268 7617 1151 sikamd@gmail.com

SDC South African Chapter
Ntokozo Mbhele +27 72 370 0974 ntokozo@publicservices.co.za
Philani Ndebele +27 76 942 3565 philani@asc.org.za

Dear all

The Swaziland Democracy Campaign cordially invites you to an URGENT Task Team Preparatory Meeting and Media Workshop to discuss, strategize, and consolidate a Programme of Action as a build up to the September Global Day of Action inside Swaziland. This invitation is extended to everyone; unions, NGOs, churches, youth, media representatives, and individuals.

These meetings will be held on Wednesday (tomorrow) 04 August at COSATU Archives, corner Leyds and Biccard streets, Braamfontein. The Task Team Meeting commences at 14h00 followed by a Media Workshop at 16h00. Your attendance will be of value to the campaign.

Please RSVP to 011 339 6332/ 076 9423565 philani@asc.org.za

16/07/10
Press Statement
SDC honours Mandela and the greatness of what he stands for on his day!

The Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC) joins the millions of global compatriots, activists, democrats and internationalists who have responded to the call to dedicate 67 minutes to the memory of a living legend, the first democratically elected President of the Republic of South Africa and champion of our liberation, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

While we know, even from Madiba’s own admissions, that it was the ordinary people of South Africa, the militant masses; freedom fighters in the trenches, workers in the streets and cadres in the underground that defeated apartheid, It was due to the outstanding leadership and vision of Nelson Mandela and that gallant giant of our revolution, Oliver Reginald Tambo as part of a collective that massively contributed to this noble effort.

It is such greatness of vision and inspiration that is necessary to propel the world into action in support of the Swazi people’s struggle today. Without the world demonstrating that same resoluteness, clarity of purpose and absolute dedication, the people of Swaziland will perish in the hands of a ruthless monarchy, which savage on their suffering.
We call on the South African government to do more to advance the ideals for which Madiba was imprisoned in Robben Island. It must do more to honour the sacrifices of the thousands of South Africans who refused to accept that oppression must be a part of their daily experiences.

As we all dedicate 67 minutes to the great cause of our own destiny learning from the years of sacrifice from Madiba and all the people of South Africa, may we not forget that on our doorstep, the people of Swaziland are facing an ever greater challenge. Today, several of them have had to flee their homes into exile or displaced within Swaziland itself, as the royal security forces hunt down anyone who dare raise a voice about the terrifying levels of oppression in that country and the resultant socio-economic crisis in the midst of royal opulence and arrogant display of wealth and power by the ruling tinkhundla minority regime.

It is to these ordinary men and women that owe our humanity and responsibility to sacrifice in the world of today. Our humanity is incomplete without their liberation and our freedom has no meaning without the freedom of others. In the name of Madiba and our hard won freedom, may we all renew our vows to fight against oppression wherever it happens and to advance the frontiers of freedom whenever we are called upon.

In your name Tata, we rededicate all our energies and strength to fight side-by-side with the struggling people of Swaziland until their freedom is won. Only then, can we rejoice in the knowledge that your vision has become reality, not only in our country, but throughout the global territory occupied by humanity.

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others” Nelson Mandela

For more information please contact:

Ntokozo Mbhele on 072 370 0974 Ntoko@publicservices.co.za or Philani Ndebele on 076 942 3565 philani@asc.org.za