“Free and unfettered inquiry is the foundation upon which our first world status will be built.”

Phakama Shili, advocacy officer at Swaziland’s Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Swaziland), writes a weekly column for Swazi Observer. The column, ‘Constitutionally Speaking’, considers human rights and the quest for democracy in Swaziland. Read on for this week’s article on the role of the media during elections… 

Journalists have an obligation to report the truth. They are bound by the principles of independence, accuracy, honesty and fairness. These things don’t change during elections. If anything, it could be argued that because elections (if free and fair, if truly democratic) hold the possibility of big change, the media must work even harder during elections to ensure it remains independent, accurate, honest and fair.

To elaborate on these principles – and how they might interact with election coverage – one need look no further than Swaziland’s journalism code of ethics; a code that all editors and reporters (by virtue of being an editor or reporter in Swaziland) are bound by – ethically and morally, if not always legally.

Digressing for a moment, there may be no clear legal route or cheap avenue for people who feel they have been wronged by the media. Put another way, if you feel the journalism code of ethics has been breached, it is not always clear how you can take action against the media house. However the new media ombudsman is currently taking complaints against the media. If you wish to correct the media or if you feel ethics have been breached, email the Ombudsman on ombudsman@realnet.co.sz. And to view the code of ethics, go to www.misaswaziland/snaj-code-of-ethics-2

Phakama’s article as it appears in the Swazi Observer, July 18 2013

Coming back to the topic at hand, let us consider how the code of ethics deals with the principles of journalism, and how these principles can reinforce good election coverage.

Article 1 of the code of ethics says the media must write and report faithfully, and must “defend the truth”. The same Article says the media must provide the public with “unbiased, accurate, balanced and comprehensive information”.

During elections, therefore, it’s very simple. The media, according to its own code, has a duty to reflect accurately the feeling of the country and to publish and air unbiased information. To get this information, the media, in addition to asking if MPs and other more powerful leaders have done their job well – or even done their job at all – might ask if these elections will help or hinder Swaziland. To ask Swazi citizens: Do you think these elections will help you get a job? Do you think these elections will help you feed your family in the long term? Do you think these elections are even about you? Who would you vote for as prime minister if, indeed, you could vote for him or her? Are you happy with the current political system? Is the status quo helping you? These are the questions – in addition to the daily questions of corruption, scandal, and endless mismanagement – that the code of ethics demands the media ask. In short, can a good tradesman make a difference with broken tools?

And of course the media must aim to get as many sides into a story as possible – this is fair, and the code of ethics in speaking to “balanced” reporting demands it.

Reporters and editors are human and they have opinions and emotions and biases. To counter this human aspect, the media has a duty to interview and report fairly about people they may not necessarily like. They must be fair to all sides, then the truth will emerge and the debate can progress.

The media has been heavily criticised for censoring itself when it comes to issues which have a potential to upset certain sectors of society. During elections, the media should strive to open up for the diverse views of society in order to enable voters to make informed decisions. It is the responsibility of the owners of media outlets, including cases where the owner is the state, to respect the right to freedom of expression and, in particular, the editorial independence of journalists.

Finally, in reporting the news and writing and airing opinions, and this is all year round, especially during elections, reporters and editors and publishers (in theory and reality) should be protected by Section 24 of the Constitution – “Protection of freedom of expression”.

This protection means nothing without the freedom to publish unpopular opinions. It means nothing without the freedom to publish inconvenient truths. It is a worthless protection if it does not allow the media and citizens the right to offend and the right to be offended. Words are just words and opinions are just opinions. More damage is done when words and opinions are suppressed; it’s like neglecting a call of nature.

Free and unfettered inquiry is the foundation upon which our first world status will be built. For without the freedom to speak your mind and suggest new and creative ideas, we risk committing the same errors and falling into the same traps. We must open our minds, to other people and to the world. When minds are opened and we can speak freely in private and public, every day of the year, the economy and society will follow suit. Open, free and rich minds lead to open, free and rich economies.

The definition of madness, said Albert Einstein, is trying the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. One way of guarding against this is allowing true and honest freedom of speech – allowing good ideas to contest against bad ones. Allowing intelligence to win over ignorance. This is more important than ever during free and fair elections. As advocacy officer for MISA-Swaziland, a media freedom NGO, I believe the Constitution allows the right to speak your mind – what are we waiting for? First world status is in our hands.

An edited version of this article appeared in the Swazi Observer on Thursday July 18, 2013.

You will find all of Phakama’s ‘Constitutionally Speaking’ articles by clicking here. 

MISA-Swaziland Alert
July 18 2013

Swaziland’s ministry of information, communication and technology is discussing internet security and regulation at a workshop in Ezulweni on 18 and 19 July.

On July 18 presentations are being made on ‘internet topology and economics’, ‘internet governance, regulation and security’, and ‘regulatory best practices for economic growth’, amongst other topics.

In addition to presentations on regulations and security, the topic of how countries can use the internet to drive economic growth was discussed.

The expert presenter at the conference, Bill Woodcock, from non-profit research institute Packet Clearing House, said the best way to ensure global competitiveness – insofar as companies making money from interent businesses and therefore government’s collecting increased tax revenues – was to ensure young people receive quality education.

Woodcock said “government policy on education is the single most important driver” to ensure students have the tools and knowledge necessary to effectively prosper and make money in today’s internet-dominated world. A good education, which government has the responsibility of ensuring, leads to smarter and more motivated citizens, which in turn means these citizens are more likely to begin online businesses and make money. This money, made by the businesses, leads to greater tax revenue for the government which can be poured back into educating kids.

If countries are to truly benefit from the interent, students need to be taught about the internet and exposed to technical issues early on, so when they reach their mid-20s they are able to create and experiment with selling products and services online. In terms of online economics, these small internet start-up businesses is where true growth is created.

Running alongside a quality education, Woodcock said countries, if they wanted to get the most from the internet and their citizens, need to open up licensing.

“The number one problem in many African countries is the little number of mobile licenses,” he said. More licenses create more competiveness and therefore better service, lower prices, which in turn drives economic growth.

The conference continues today at the Royal Swazi Spa and Convention Centre, when interent security for the financial sector as well as implications for the law enforcement will be discussed.

For comments or queries, please contact:
Vuyisile Hlatshwayo
MISA-Swaziland National Director
Email: misa.nd@realnet.co.sz

If Swazi women are to realize their rights as enshrined in the Constitution, there needs to be a holistic review of the marriage laws in the country. A good way to start would be amending all marriage laws by passing legislation that will bring about equality of spouses in marriage.

Phakama Shili, advocacy officer at Swaziland’s Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Swaziland), writes a weekly column for the Swazi Observer. The column, ‘Constitutionally Speaking’, considers human rights and the quest for democracy in Swaziland. Read on for this week’s article on the state of marriage in the landlocked kingdom.

Half a loaf is not better than none: Assessing the Swaziland High Court Judgment on marital power (Nombuyiselo Sihlongonyane v Mholi Sihlongonyane High Court Case No. 470/2013 A)

On 18 July 2013, the Swazi High Court passed a judgement declaring marital power unconstitutional.

The concept of marital power denies women married under civil rites and in community of property the ability to sue and being sued in their own name. Much as this judgment has been received with delight by lots of women in Swaziland, the practical implications are depressing: discrimination of women in administering matrimonial property continues to persist.

Phakama’s article as it appears in the Swazi Observer, August 1 2013

The case which brought the matter to the fore involved a husband and wife who got married under a civil rites marriage in community of property with the husband retaining the power to administer the matrimonial possessions. The wife made an application to the court to have her husband removed as administrator of the joint property as a result of the husband’s alleged mismanagement of the estate. The Constitutional question arose after the husband challenged his wife’s capacity to institute legal proceedings without his assistance. Consequently the High Court had to interrogate sections 20 and 28 (on equality and non-discrimination of women) of the Swaziland Constitution and determine if the common law position of marital power still exist in light of the constitutional dispensation. Under the common law, the property of spouses falls into a common pool which, although jointly owned by the spouses, is entirely controlled by the husband unless the spouses execute an ante-nuptial contract before marriage. This places the wife, in relation to the property of the marriage, in almost the same position as a minor child except the fact that guardianship of a minor serves the interests of the minor, whereas marital power serves the interests of the husband.

Marital power embraces three elements, namely:

a)     The husband’s power as head of the family by virtue of which he has the decisive say in all matters concerning the common life of the spouses and determines, inter alia where and in what lifestyle they are to live

b)    The husband’s power over the person of his wife, including her representation in legal proceedings, and

c)     The husband’s power over the property of the wife which enables him, in his absolute discretion, to deal with the joint estate as its administrator.

The overall effect of the husband’s exercise of marital power is to subject the wife to the husband’s guardianship, effectively making her subservient to her husband.  The court relying on the case of The Attorney General v Mary Joyce Doo Aphane, Civil Appeal case 12/2010 held that marital power unlawfully and arbitrarily subordinates the wife to the power of her husband and was an unfair discrimination based on sex or gender inasmuch as it adversely affects women who have contracted a civil rites marriage in community of property with no ante-nuptial contract. The court further observed that, whilst it is accepted in common law that a married woman who is subject to the marital power may approach the court for leave to sue without the aid of her husband, such notion or concept is discriminatory of such women in so far as it applies to such class of women and not men.

“A married man does not, under any circumstances, have to apply for such leave and therefore this common law requirement constitutes an unfair discrimination”, the court noted.

Notwithstanding this observation, the court did not entirely abolish the common law position of marital power. It confined itself to the issue of women’s capacity to institute and defend legal proceedings without the assistance of their husbands. Undoubtedly, the root cause of the dispute in this case relates to the husband’s inability to exercise marital power to administer the joint estate in good faith. In this case the Applicant approached the court as a result of her husband’s maladministration of the matrimonial property in the exercise of such marital power. Thus even if her husband did not challenge her legal capacity, she would have still proceeded under common law to prove that her husband had acted fraudulently in dealing with the joint property to her loss as this will be the case in the main application which will be held at a later stage.

In other words, if marital power is declared unconstitutional, the starting point in making a just and equitable enquiry  would be for the court to place the wife on an equal footing as her husband by pronouncing joint administration of the matrimonial property. This therefore means that in order for this kind of marriage to comply with the Constitution, the entire concept of marital power must be abolished. For other women in the same position as the Applicant, their emancipation only extends as far as their capacity to institute and defend legal actions; however, their husbands retain their common law status of being sole administrators of their matrimonial properties (half a loaf is no better than nothing at all).

Recommendations

In order for Swazi women to realize their rights as enshrined in the Constitution, there needs to be a holistic review of the marriage laws in the country. A positive way to start would be amending all marriage laws by passing legislation that will effectively facilitate equality of spouses in marriage.

Similar laws have been passed by several countries in the region. Botswana, for instance, and Namibia abolished marital power by enacting the Abolition of Marital Power Act of 2004 and the Married Persons Equality Act of 1996 respectively, thereby giving equal power to spouses to administer their joint property.

In promoting equality and non-discrimination, as required by the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and other regional and international obligations, Swaziland must take action to pass a law that will put to an end the power of husbands to choose the domicile of their wives just like South Africa did by passing the Domicile Act in 1992.

There is also a need for Swazi civil society to collaborate with lawyers in providing refresher courses and discussion forums that will enable them to develop appropriate litigation strategies to ensure the meaningful realization of the Bill of Rights.

A printed version of this article appeared in the Swazi Observer on Thursday August 1, 2013

You will find all of Phakama’s ‘Constitutionally Speaking’ articles on MISA-Swaziland’s by clicking here

MISA-Swaziland Alert
August 2 2013

Speaker of Swaziland’s house of assembly, Prince Guduza, has called on the media to continue exposing corruption, according to local media reports.

Page 14, Swazi Observer, August 2 2013

On August 2 2013, daily newspaper Swazi Observer, under the headline ‘Rotten beans saga an example of media’s overseer role’, reported the Speaker’s praise of local media.

Speaker Guduza was impressed with the media’s role in the ‘rotten beans’ saga and the ‘land grab’ scandal.

The Swazi Observer reports: “He said the recent issue of the rotten beans at the government warehouse was a classic example of Parliament and the media working together in the interest of the electorate.” Huge piles of beans were recently found rotting in an apparent case of official incompetence coupled with corruption. It was suggested by media that the beans were being kept (or hidden) from MPs who voted in favour of a no-confidence motion against the prime minister in late 2012.

“The speaker further referred to the land-grab saga were some cabinet ministers sold themselves crown land at huge discounts,” reported the Observer. 

Guduza noted that the media “was the first to place the issue of the land-grab saga in the public domain”.

Click here read more about the the rotten beans saga.

For comments or queries contact:
Vuyisile Hlatshwayo
MISA-Swaziland National Director
Email: misa.nd@realnet.co.sz

or

Levi Kabwato
MISA Programme Specialist: Media Freedom Monitoring & Research
Email: levi@misa.org

MISA-Swaziland e-Forum article

The below is a statement issued by Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO). It appears here in MISA-Swaziland’s e-Forum. The e-Forum is an ‘online space’ for news and information on Swaziland’s civil society and NGO sector, and for more general news and information on media freedom. The e-Forum is a practical expression of MISA-Swaziland’s mission to promote free speech and access to information. 

PUDEMO National Executive Committee (NEC) Statement following meeting held outside the country on the 3^rd -4^th August, 2013

Campaign for Multiparty Democratic Elections NOW

Background

The NEC of PUDEMO held its session to prepare for a series of major campaigns and activities in the build up to the intensification of the struggle for a people’s government in Swaziland. We welcome the massively growing movement calling for genuine multiparty democratic elections in Swaziland, with the active support of the world community of democrats and peace-loving people.

It is now clear that the Swazi people’s struggle for a new and democratic society has reached a defining moment. There is no turning back! The people have made it clear that the time is up for the corrupt tinkhundla system as a whole, including those at its driving seat.

Through mass action, refusal to register for fraudulent elections and relentless struggles, they have decisively rejected tinkhundla and its political schemes.

Their rejection of tinkhundla system is at the same time a call for a new and genuine people’s alternative and democratic system of governance in Swaziland. They want to determine the future of their country, to democratically choose their own leaders, to speak freely and organise peacefully in support of their preferred policies, candidates and organisations of their choice.

The people’s demands are PUDEMO’s demands. We say together as Swazis and our friends and supporters of democracy all over the world………….. We want to choose our own leaders now! Enough of royal impositions and being forced to choose between one corrupt leader and the other!!

Tinkhundla shall not provide alternatives to its failures. Only the people will determine their own future. Every Swazi must stand up to demand a new and democratic multiparty system of governance NOW!

Campaign for multiparty democratic elections

Our goal is to organise for a popular rejection of the undemocratic Tinkhundla system, and its false elections and to build an unstoppable campaign for a democratic alternative system of governance, based on universal human and civil rights.

It is now almost forty years since the people of Swaziland have been denied the fundamental right to participate in democratic elections and decide for themselves who should form their government.  On the 12^th April 1973, a Proclamation by the then King established dictatorial rule by establishing the Tinkhundla regime which  gave the monarchy absolute power in all matters.

PUDEMO has stood by the people’s demands since its birth, 30 years ago. It has proven to be a force for change and good in society. It has resisted tinkhundla brutality against the people, has endured the pain of jailings, arrests and detentions, forced exiling and even murder of its cadres and leaders.

It has remained firmly principled in demanding a new and better Swaziland for all.

Why the tinkhundla elections are not about people’s power, but royal power and more corruption?

Tinkhundla has produced and reproduced more poverty, joblessness and hunger because it is a monopoly system of organised royal looting of state resources. You can change faces thousands of times in tinkhundla elections, but not the system that brings suffering and the very source and foundation of suffering in our country, the tinkhundla system. We must change not just people, but the system that brings about poverty, oppression, hunger and mass unemployment.

What is the meaning of democratic Multiparty elections and why do we need them in Swaziland?

Democratic multiparty elections mean that people have a right to choose freely between different policies of running the country and how the government as a whole and not just individuals with personal manifestos, but how the whole system will use national resources, fight corruption, end poverty and hunger, create jobs, ensure access to quality health and education for all and many others. Its less about people or individuals, but about policies and who is best placed to push them in the interest of the country and its people. We need multiparty democratic elections to exercise our rights freely, by allowing different parties to present their visions of the whole country and not just isolated constituencies or communities. But also ensuring that we hold those we elect accountable to the promises by ensuring a transparent system which also ensures full involvement of the people in its daily running, not just every election period.

Why a People’s Government and what is it?

A people’s government is needed to meet the needs and aspirations of the people. It is based on the will of the people, their mandate, their daily participation in driving policy and their determination of how national resources shall be used to meet their needs and the country’s development goals.

A people’s government is created by the people through their democratic power to run the country in their interest and with the full and effective participation of the people on a regular basis to assert their power and interests. It is not accountable to a tiny, un-elected minority, but to the people as a whole and serve the interests of the country and not a corrupt minority.

Tinkhundla minority elections are against universal principles of elections

According to the SADC treaty adopted in Windhoek in 1992 in Windhoek, article 4 unambiguously states “human rights, democracy and the rule of law” are principles guiding the acts of its member states. Article 5 outlines the objectives of SADC, which commits member states to “promote common political values, systems and other shared values, which are transmitted through institutions, which are democratic, legitimate and effective”.

The establishment of a democratic electoral system was clearly laid down by the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic elections, which set out 10 core principles for conducting what could be regarded as free, fair and democratic elections.

These include; a conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections, the establishment of impartial, all-inclusive, competent and accountable national electoral bodies staffed by qualified personnel, as well as competent legal entities, and effective constitutional courts, the guarantee of equal opportunities for all political parties to access state media, and guidelines for the observation of elections by impartial local and international bodies and other such factors.

The Harare Declaration of the Commonwealth agreed to by leaders of all the countries making up the commonwealth community, including Swaziland, committed itself to certain fundamental principles. These were set out clearly in 1991 in Harare, and built upon the foundations of the 1971 principles adopted in Singapore. In 1991, they further added 5 key elements, not least to reinforce the necessity of the creation of conducive conditions for free and fair elections. All of these fine sentiments are completely disregarded in Swaziland today.

Despite a prevailing reign of terror, state intimidation and torture, backed by endless stream of Tinkhundla propaganda, the regime has failed to persuade or force the people to submit to its will, despite its claims to represent the “national interest” or to enact and preserve “Swazi culture”.

PUDEMO’s demands are those of the people;

1.    Unban all political parties

2.    Abolish the un-elected royal cabals secretly running the country and put into place a democratically elected government with the necessary powers and resources to drive a national development agenda

3.    Remove of all laws that deny people their rights to organise, associate and speak out freely, such as the Suppression of Terrorism law which bans PUDEMO and its auxiliary and sister organisations

4.    Convene a democratically constituted National Convention of all stakeholders to freely participate in determining the process towards proper elections

5.    End royal abuse of the media, judiciary and state security institutions to protect and serve narrow interests of the ruling minority

6.    Stop corruption, nepotism, wastage of national resources, poor governance and human rights abuses by tinkhundla leaders using the state apparatus

7.    End poverty, hunger, landlessness and unemployment, which is a result of tinkhundla system and its failures

We say together as Swazis and our friends and supporters of democracy all over the world………….. We want to choose our own leaders now! Enough of royal impositions and being forced to choose between one corrupt leader and the other!!

Tinkhundla shall not provide alternatives to its failures. Only the people will determine their own future. Every Swazi must stand up to demand a new and democratic multiparty system of governance NOW!

PUDEMO calls on all the people;

• To mobilise and unite the Swazi people, and democratic supporters across the world against the undemocratic tinkhundla ‘elections’ and to campaign for a genuine democratic alternative.
• To expose the intrinsic link between the false-elections and the continuation of rule by royal decree, and the repression it requires to maintain its power. This includes the banning of political parties, the imprisonment of democratic activists and the gross corruption of the regime.
• To deepen a popular understanding of the core tenets of a democratic electoral system and society and draw upon best practice from other parts of the world where people enjoy democratic rights.

Akuyiwa elukhetfweni lwetinkhundla! Unban PUDEMO NOW!

Statement issued by PUDEMO Secretary General

Sikhumbuzo Phakathi

+2778 511 6902

email: pudemoinfo@gmail.com

Facebook: PUDEMO

Twitter: @PUDEMO

Website: pudemo.org

MISA-Swaziland e-Forum article

The below article on MISA-Swaziland’s e-Forum is written by Thandokuhle Khumalo, legal officer at the Manzini-based Swaziland Association for Crime Prevention and the Rehabilitation of Offenders (SACRO).  
The e-Forum is an ‘online space’ for news and information on, for, and by Swaziland’s civil society and NGO sector; and for more general news and information on media freedom. The e-Forum is a practical expression of MISA-Swaziland’s mission to promote free speech and access to information.
Read on for Thandokuhle’s take on raising children…

Questioned on Homosexual Offences and Prostitution in the appeal case of Shaw v DPP sparked off by the fight between law and morality, the Wolfendenn Committee Report argued that the law should always protect the young children who are weak in mind and vulnerable.

This meant that young children should not be exposed to or subjected to an environment that would ordinarily lead to their poor development or worse, becoming criminals. What is then the role (im)morality can play when children are within the vicinity of same and not knowing what is happening.

Look at the way Africans are so eager to copy and at times holistically implement the European systems of governance, human rights and gender equality which may ordinarily be African but draw a line between our ways of life as Africans. A good example is that of homosexuality, lesbianism and the other ‘unaccepted’ forms of behaviour. Such acts are not only condemned by the popular majority but were first condemned by the Bible which we uphold as Christians.

We have, as Africans, copied the way of life from the West which duped us since inception. All I can safely say is, it will not work. You may ask why. We have an in-born African way of life which we have been implementing successfully whereas the Western system fails us.

Frankly speaking, I do not have something against these marginalised homosexuals. But homosexuality adds no value to the proper upbringing of a child. The Holy Bible has mentioned it explicitly on the incidence at Gomorrah and Soddom that a man shall not be attracted to another man and the same applies to the feminine species. Mixing child upbringing and homosexuality does not work.

Mine is not a ‘hate speech’ but I’m addressing my own societal concerns. I have nothing against these groups. As we adopt the Western governance we should be wary of what it may do to our children. Picture this, two gay men raising a child together and two lesbian women raising a child together. Is that the kind of system we want our society to adopt?

In as far as human rights are concerned, every right has a limit; in the sense that, I cannot exercise my right at the detriment of the other’s right. In short, where my right ends, another person’s begins. As we may wish to establish an enabling environment for the homosexuals, we should also open our minds on incidental matters similar to the example above.

A study done by Dr. Qandelihle Simelane has shown that children growing under a family without the male figure are prone to crime than those with the male figure. Think then of a child with two lesbian mothers, we could be detonating a land mine.

It is the same Western system that has made our countries sign, ratify and domesticate international standards on the protection of children. To me it is clear that we need to be cautious of what we adopt, and be assured that it will work for us and be sustainable. Look at what happened in Libya, now what is happening in Egypt and what has happened in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Need I say more here, ibhasi ibhaliwe (the writing is on the wall).

Human rights are fine. Is it every right that we want to uphold in total disregard of the child’s? I am sure that as a nation we would rather have a child’s future put forward through proper structures being put in place, which make the environment child-friendly and worth the praise.

This is to say as parents we need to be cautious of what we adopt or bring to the face of our children. Similarly the state must establish or destroy mechanisms intending to corrupt our children. It is after the child’s right to be brought up in an environment that will enhance his/her development.

Khumalo is a legal officer at the Manzini-based Swaziland Association for Crime Prevention and the Rehabilitation of Offenders (SACRO). For further information, his telephone number is 25052172 and email is sacromanziniandmbabane@yahoo.com

Click here for other MISA-Swaziland e-Forum news and information

People’s and organisations’ articles, statements, opinions, etc., that appear on MISA-Swaziland’s e-Forum are responsible for their own reporting and views

In theory, when a citizen votes for a parliamentary representative, that representative is meant to embody the will of the person who voted for him or her. 

Phakama Shili, advocacy officer at Swaziland’s Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Swaziland), writes a weekly column for the Swazi Observer. The column, ‘Constitutionally Speaking’, considers human rights and the quest for democracy in Swaziland. Read on for this week’s article on how to create a more responsive government

Now that the people of Swaziland have nominated candidates for the next Parliament, we might interrogate the expectations of the people from those who will win the elections.

MISA-Swaziland Alert
August 8 2013

Swazi Observer front page, August 8 2013

Swaziland’s deputy prime minister, Themba Masuku, has told cabinet members to slow down on the usage of national radio and the media in the lead up to national elections, according to reports in the Swazi Observer.

“Everything has to be managed. This is meant to avoid a situation where some people will have unfair advantage, because not everyone will have access to the national radio. Everything needs to be managed, I repeat,” said Masuku in the Swazi Observer.

According to the report, Masuku said from now on, ministers would only be allowed to speak on official business, and not anything outside of that. Even before then, they would have to seek permission from his (deputy prime minister’s) office.

Click here to be re-directed to the Deputy Prime Minster’s website.

And click here to be re-directed to the ‘contact us’ page on the DPM’s website.

The Swazi Observer article says the DPM’s order comes in the “wake of a set of broadcasting guidelines from the ministry of information, communication and technology (ICT) that were received with heavy hearts by former Members of Parliament”.

“The guidelines required that anyone who had any information to share with the public, which touched on community matters, should go through traditional authorities (chiefs) and seek approval.

Page 3, Swazi Observer, August 8 2013

“Because of the guidelines, the MPs felt they were being deprived access to use the national radio like they used do [sic] in the past, as most of them were keen to follow the laid down rules.

“They felt the guidelines were crafted to frustrate them and said they were being accused of using the radio as a campaigning tool, something they denied.

“The ban drove former MP Masende Zwane to tears, as he pleaded with the PM to lift it claiming it frustrated progress.”

The broadcasting media ban remains in place.

Click here to read a copy of the Ministry of ICT public service announcement guidelines.

The country’s only privately-owned daily newspaper, Times of Swaziland, has not yet reported on the most recent story of the DPM telling ministers to ease up on using the radio.

Swaziland’s Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Swaziland), a press freedom NGO, suggests that the ban and restrictions on citizens and parliamentarians using the so-called ‘public broadcasters’ (TV and radio) is in conflict with Section 24 of the national Constitution.

Section 24 of the self-proclaimed ‘supreme law of Swaziland’ guarantees and protects freedom of expression, freedom of the media, and freedom to give and receive information. Specifically, Section 24 (c) says people have the “freedom to communicate ideas and information without interference (whether the communication be to the public generally or to any person or class of persons)”.

In the spirit of Section 24 of the Constitution, MISA-Swaziland recently started its e-Forum – an ‘online space’ for news and information on, for, and by the country’s civil society, NGO sector, and anyone wishing to express a view that may not be captured by the mainstream media. If Swazi ministers and candidates for the upcoming elections wish to get their messages and press releases online, please email them to MISA-Swaziland National Director at misa.nd@realnet.co.sz or to misaeforum@gmail.com

MISA-Swaziland is concerned by the ban and restrictions on people using the national broadcasters: it infringes on people’s right to express themselves freely via the media.

For comments or queries, please contact:
Vuyisile Hlatshwayo
MISA-Swaziland National Director
Email: misa.nd@realnet.co.sz

Children and young people’s voices in Swaziland’s media are heard in only 8 percent of the stories that are about them, according to new research by Swaziland’s Media Institute of Southern Africa in partnership with child rights NGO Save the Children.

The country’s two daily newspapers, Times of Swaziland and Swazi Observer, both published Monday to Friday, were monitored by Swaziland’s Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Swaziland) from May 22 to June 2, 2013.

The Times of Swaziland, during this period, published 42 stories about (or involving) children or young people.

Of those 42 stories about children/young people, only 3 stories (7%) included the voice a child/young person.

Therefore, in the Times of Swaziland from May 22–June 2, children/young people were heard in only 7% of the stories that are about them.

The Swazi Observer, from May 22–June 2, published 30 stories about (or involving) children/young people.

Of those 30 stories about children/young, only 3 stories (10%) included the voice of a child/young person.

Therefore, in the Swazi Observer, children/young people were heard in only 10% of the stories that are actually about them.

In total, when you combine the figures for both Times of Swaziland and Swazi Observer, from May 22–June 2, there were 72 stories about children/young people.

Of those 72 stories about children/young people, only 6 stories included the voice of a child/young person.

Therefore, for both Times of Swaziland and Swazi Observer, from May 22 to June 2, children/young people were heard in only 8% of the stories that are actually about them. Which means, in 92% of the stories about children/young people, the voice of a child/young person is absent.

Limitations
This MISA-Swaziland and Save the Children study does not claim to be conclusive or totally representative of the Swazi media. The Swazi television and radio station, both owned and controlled by the state, were not considered in this study.

There are also other newspapers and a monthly magazine that were not considered in this study. The Times of Swaziland Group of Newspapers (in addition to the daily newspaper that was monitored for this study) also publishes a Saturday weekly Swazi News and a Sunday weekly Times of Swaziland Sunday.

And the Swazi Observer Group of Newspapers (in addition to its daily newspaper that was monitored for this study) publishes a weekend edition, Weekend Observer.

It should be noted that if these weekend newspapers were included in the study, the number of child and young people’s voices may have increased. The weekend papers often feature more ‘human interest’ stories with a youth focus. The weekend newspapers also, from time to time, include child-focused supplements or lift-outs. If these supplements were included in the study it is likely the percentage of youth voices would have increased slightly.

The monthly magazine The Nation was not included in the study. It publishes mostly analytical articles on political, social and economic issues, and rarely publishes stories specifically about children or young people. It does not profess to write youth-focused stories. Therefore, if The Nation was included in the study it is reasonable to suggest there would be few (if any) stories about or involving young people, and so, it follows there would be few (if any) voices of young people.

Conclusions
The research considered 11 editions (between May 22–June 2) of each daily newspaper, Times of Swaziland and Swazi Observer. Despite this being a relatively small research sample, the almost non-existence of child and young people’s voices raises questions about the bigger picture:

• Why are children and young people not being heard in the Swazi media?
• What can be done to give children and young people a voice in the media?
• And what can be done to make sure this ‘youth voice’ is conveyed in a sincere and meaningful way?

This research also raises several questions about the general standard or journalism in Swaziland. In short, if a journalist was writing a story about you, would you expect that journalist to get a comment from you? Or at least try to make contact to tell you what was going to be said about you in a public forum?

You may forgive a reporter if, from time to time, due to lack of time or other work pressures, they do not get your opinion (or your facts) when writing a story about you.

But, in the case of children and young people: if the media, writ large, write 72 stories in 11 days about you and only ask for your comment 7 times, then, as a group, you may be somewhat concerned. The thought that children and young people do not have much say over their lives in the first place only perpetuates this concern. ‘Children are seen and not heard’, is a phrase that could be used to describe this study.

The loser in this scenario — beyond the children and young people themselves — is the reading public. The public are getting ill-informed, misleading and shallow stories: stories consistently ‘about’ people or topics but rarely delving into the hard questions; hardly ever seeking the facts or comments from the people who are most affected by the story — the children and young people themselves.

What are MISA and Save the Children doing to train journalists and to help give children and young people a voice in the Swazi media?
We are running practical training sessions for journalists, where they meet with young people to hear their stories. Earlier this year MISA-Swaziland ran 3 of these sessions and trained 10 journalists.

The journalists, in groups of 3 or 4, travelled to 3 schools and spoke with about 50 students. The journalists then wrote stories that accurately reflected the voice of those young people.

Many stories were published by the newspapers that the journalists work for. In this sense, the theory and practice of the training came together, all centred around the genuine voice of the young people.

Click on the links below to read more about the MISA-Swaziland and Save the Children training program:

‘MISA listens to students, trains journalists’

‘Students meet the media in Swaziland’

‘Learning from the children: MISA and Save the Children media training’

‘Media must respect and protect children, says Swazi journalist’

For comments or queries, please contact:
Vuyisile Hlatshwayo
MISA-Swaziland National Director
Email: misa.nd@realnet.co.sz

MISA-Swaziland Statement
October 3 2013

Following the unwarranted police attacks on print media journalists in their line of duty, MISA Swaziland condemns these continued acts of media freedom violation. Two weeks ago, a Hlathikhulu Police Station desk officer manhandled Times of Swaziland reporter, Sisho Magagula, and deleted pictures from his camera while he was on duty covering a community protest march in the Kontshingila area. Hot on the heels of this, last Saturday another plain-clothed police officer allegedly pulled a gun at photojournalist, Walter Dlamini, who was covering another community protest march at Gege Inkhundla in the Shiselweni region.

What is concerning and worrying is that these acts of media freedom violation have reached a level where the perpetrators are now using guns against law-abiding journalists who are covering events that are in the public interest, and are of public interest. The second incident happened after MISA Swaziland had set an appointment with National Police Commissioner, Isaac Magagula, to express our grave concerns on the continued harassment and intimidation of journalists by the police force while in their line of duty. The Institute further wanted to discuss possible interventions to alleviate this increasingly disturbing situation.

MISA Swaziland finds it quite shocking that when the National Police Commissioner had already fixed a date for the meeting the police continued with their acts of media violation. This time around one of them pointed a gun at photojournalists Walter Dlamini, whose crime was covering the protesting community of Gege against the newly elected Member of Parliament.  In our journalism parlance, a picture speaks a thousand words. As the media fraternity, we are still shocked that police with guns are now a big threat to our lives.

The Institute appeals to the police to stop harassing and intimidating journalists when they are in their line of duty. They should know that journalists are no different from them in the public service. While the duty of the police is to maintain peace and order, the journalists’ duty is to disseminate public information needed by the citizens to make decisions and choices. MISA Swaziland calls upon all the police to respect the rights of the media practitioners and citizens as enshrined in the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land.

MISA Swaziland calls upon the police to take a cue from the wise words of former Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Michael Somare: “Media freedom is my freedom. Media freedom is your freedom. Media freedom is our freedom. But with this freedom comes great responsibility.”

For comments or queries, please contact:
VuyisileHlatshwayo
MISA-Swaziland National Director
Email: misa.nd@realnet.co.sz

MISA-Swaziland Statement
October 3 2013

In the wake of police attacks on working journalists, MISA Swaziland jointly with the Swaziland Editors Forum (SEF) on Monday met National Police Commissioner, Isaac Magagula, at the Royal Swaziland Police Headquarters. Times of Swaziland reporter Sisho Magagula was manhandled and had his pictures deleted from the company camera at Kontshingila area by the Hlathikhulu Police Station desk officer two weeks ago. This incident was followed by another at Gege area last Saturday when a cop drew a gun against photojournalist, Water Dlamini, who was covering protesting community members.

The purpose of the meeting was twofold: one was to express the media fraternity’s concern on the continued attacks on journalists in the line of duty, and second was to come up with interventions to bring to an end media freedom violations perpetrated by the men in uniform in the country who disguised them as maintenance of peace and order.

At the meeting, MISA Swaziland brought to the attention of the National Police Commissioner the negative effects on media freedom. It was pointed out to him that such acts tarnish the image of the country internationally, waste the media houses’ resources and threaten the lives of journalists. It was heartening to hear the National Police Commissioner condemning the unprofessional conduct of the police towards the media.

The Institute takes this opportunity to extend its gratitude to the National Police Commissioner who granted the media an audience on this serious matter. It was gratifying to hear him acknowledging that “the police and media” need each other to remain agents of national development. Showing serious commitment to their public service mandate, both parties proposed the following interventions: a police training course on media function, press cards and media gear (beeps) for easy identification.

MISA Swaziland welcomes the National Police Commissioner’s idea to introduce a course on the role of the media in the police syllabus at the Royal Swaziland Police College. There is no doubt that this will go a long way in making the police understand and appreciate the role of the media. Working hand in hand with its partners, the Institute will make sure that his wishes become a reality in the not-so-distant future.

Lastly, we applaud the National Police Commissioner for setting up an inquiry to investigate the attacks on the two journalists. We look forward to the findings and hope that the police will share them with us. We also hope its recommendations will enable him to further professionalise the police force. Not only that, it will also come up with a lasting solution to the problem we are facing right now.

For comments or queries, please contact:
VuyisileHlatshwayo
MISA-Swaziland National Director
Email: misa.nd@realnet.co.sz

MISA-Swaziland e-Forum article

The below is a statement issued by Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO). It appears here in MISA-Swaziland’s e-Forum, an ‘online space’ for news and information on Swaziland’s civil society and NGO sector — and for more general news and information on media freedom. The e-Forum is a practical expression of MISA-Swaziland’s mission to promote free speech and access to information. 

The Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) has learned with utter shock and dismay reports that following a healthy dialogue between ourselves and HRH Princess Sikhanyiso pressure has been exerted to her to delete her twitter account. PUDEMO has been informed that the Princess was scolded and berated for engaging with PUDEMO on the social media platform over the past weekend particularly after the local media picked this up and made a story of our conversation.

It is now clear who the enemy of freedom of expression is as well as who refuses dialogue, minute and elementary as it may be. PUDEMO has again taken the moral high ground, despite some pockets of vilification from some within our ranks, and proven to the world that the obstinate King Mswati regime would hear nothing about us even when we have clearly showed our intentions as reasonable, understanding and more importantly committed to peace while not compromising on our principles. Despite our cordial engagements with the Princess, which were nothing but political education on her part on what we stand for, those within the circle of royals felt that she must not speak to us and forced her to delete her twitter account. Indeed we have confirmed that she has removed herself from twitter.

What crime did Princess Sikhanyiso commit?

As a serious minded revolutionary organisation we are under no illusion that our dialogue with the Princess was going to yield anything. We also do not extricate her from being part of the system and benefiting from it. Even if she were to have well-meaning intentions, the fact that the revolution threatens her family’s ill-gotten wealth, she cannot be our savior. Only we shall free ourselves from royal bondage and supremacy. However, we are alive to the fact that Princess Sikhanyiso did not choose to be born in the royal family and that for the most parts of her life all she has known is the royal outlook of life and by extension given us the baddie status without knowing who we really are. We therefore commend her for being bold enough to engage with PUDEMO, asking the many questions that people have and through her we clarified to many others who have never interacted with us. Importantly, we commend her for not being arrogant in our dialogue but showed herself as level headed and maturted.

Now the onus is on the royal family and the king in particular to explain if they are responsible for censoring the Princess. Does the king fear that the seed we planted with Princess Sikhanyiso may blossom one day? Is King Mswati threatened that our message to Princess Sikhanyiso was warmly received? Is she angry that the Princess broke ranks and decided to give PUDEMO an ear? Why was Princess Sikhanyiso berated and made to close her twitter account? Is talking to PUDEMO such a sin?

We ask these rhetorical questions knowing fully too well that indeed it is not PUDEMO that is the enemy, it is the king and his family’s visceral fear for the truth. They may have raised their children to look and fear PUDEMO as animals and now that we are exposing such lies and they are dissipating like morning dew, they no longer have a cover to hide their inexplicable failure to call PUDEMO and all other political parties to the negotiating table. PUDEMO President Mario Masuku instructed all PUDEMO members to preach the sweet message of freedom and liberation in every church, institution of higher learning, school, chiefdom, workplace, sports centres and more importantly right in the belly of the enemy–the royal house. It is only a matter of time before King Mswati opens the newspaper to find a nicely wrapped PUDEMO pamphlet. We have entered very deeply the royal household and we are being warmly received, even though clandestine our operations are at present.

Reaffirming our position on the monarchy question

PUDEMO, as a vanguard organisation, the mobiliser, organiser and guide of our people, recently clarified the monarchy question in our Policy Conference last year. We can now speak without fear of contradiction that PUDEMO is prepared and is ready to work with the monarchy within the guidelines of a constitution that defines its role and duties as a ceremonial figure. We approached this issue in both a serious-minded and revolutionary manner. PUDEMO has recognised the need and works for the strongest possible revolutionary links among all the progressive organisations in Swaziland, for the isolation of the oppressor and would never want to isolate itself as extremists but who equally would never sell the people of Swaziland. This is a principal task to which, to this day, the movement pays maximum attention. We clearly understand that it is not and can never be a revolutionary approach to seek to isolate ourselves from any actual or potential allies in the struggle for the liberation of our country. As a revolutionary organisation, PUDEMO does not believe that the unity of the whole Tikhundla population as an oppressor nation is either natural or permanent. Neither does the movement believe that unity is both forced and transient.

As the struggle intensifies, the correctness of this position will and has already been amply demonstrated. For us, now, it remains a constant task to win over to our side all those within the oppressor, the royal family, who recognise the injustice of extreme national oppression in our country and are prepared to fight for its destruction, however primitive the level of that recognition and however timid that preparedness. It can never be a revolutionary approach on our part to seek to increase the cohesion and to raise the level of unity of the enemy. It is a revolutionary approach, rather, to seek to divide him, to win over to our side whatever sections are prepared to come over to us, to neutralise those that we can and to fight the rest without giving in an inch until we emerge victorious over them; until we impose democracy and liberation over the die-hard forces of Tinkhundla and reaction. It is for this reason that we continue to fuel and laud people like Prince Masitsela who has consistently called for dialogue between PUDEMO and the monarchy. We continue to believe that as the country goes on a downward spiral, international pressure heightens and momentum of struggle picks up again. More voices from within the royal family will join the call for political dialogue to end this impasse once and for all.

Statement issued by PUDEMO spokesperson
Zakhele Mabuza
Cell: 0026876073453
Facebook: Pudemo
Twitter: @pudemo
Website: ww.pudemo.org

MISA-Swaziland e-Forum article

MAHLANYA, Swaziland | Sat 5 October, 2013

Over 300 people poured into the Mahlanya Fun Day on Saturday to enjoy a good dose of food, music and sport – not to mention the fashion. Swaziland’s Media Institute of Southern Africa went along to see what all the fun about…

The warm weather matched the hospitality offered by the young men of Kwakha Indvodza, who have been planning the event with help from the program’s mentors for several months.

Proud to be Kwakha: Njabulo Nyembe cooked food for the Mahlanya crowd

Kwakha Indvodza – “building a man” in siSwati – is a male mentoring project that supports young men by teaching them practical skills and offering a diverse range of opportunities.

“It raises our awareness to be a man for tomorrow, not thinking there’s no job. We learn things that you have never learned, never known in life,” said Njabulo Nyembe, a 16-year-old from Mahlanya, one of the 40 or so young men who are part of the Kwakha program.

Putting his words into practice, Nyembe said: “My job today is being in the kitchen, preparing some food for the visitors and the crowd. We are cooking porridge, chicken stew and beef stew.”

The surrounding Lobamba community – nestled in the green and grey palm of Ezulweni Valley – chipped in to make sure the day was a success. Entertainment venue House on Fire and children’s NGO The Moya Centre allowed its grounds to be used for day’s activities.

“It’s fantastic to see the community come together,” said House on Fire icon and Kwakha Indvodza Board member Jiggs Thorne. “It’s great to see the young men have the opportunity to partake in planning and presenting a day where the community can participate.”

Mahlanya residents braved the heat in their numbers. Many found their way to the second-hand clothes stall.

Happy shoppers: Bonisile Nhlabatsi (middle) with Mahlanya friends

“It was so wonderful, we like it,” said happy shopper Bonisile Nhlabatsi. “They come and sell us some cheap clothes, and it’s quality too.” For E50 Nhlabatsi bought “some bras, some pants, and some beautiful tops”.

The community event also attracted many people, performers, and praise from outside Mahlanya.

“I think it’s so good for the community. I wish it could be held in my community too,” said 16-year-old Elangeni resident Mthokozisi “Sonex Jr” Magongo.

Magongo’s hip-hop group, “Via Squad”, wowed the crowd with its unique style of sound and dance.

Flanked by his four brothers, who make up the band, Magongo said “Via” was “African slang for something that is in motion”.

Keeping a lid on things: hip hop group Via Squad

This description – “something in motion” – sums up the work of Kwakha Indvodza, which was celebrating its first birthday on Saturday.

Corporate support also helped the event. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), an audit firm, gave E2,500 to assist with the running of the day.

“The donation went towards continuing the Kwakha cause – developing young Swazi men into the successful professionals of the future,” said PwC consultant Rebecca Lewis. “If we can help out, then we’re thrilled to be a part of it, and we just hope that we can help to empower these lovely young men and their mentors.”

PwC People: Corporate support

PwC was well represented at the Fun Day. Many staff members helped out, offering words of support and practical advice to the young men involved with Kwakha, and to the wider Mahlanya community.

Perhaps the most exciting part of the day – apart from the “jumpy castle” that kept the kids happy – was the soccer tournament. Six teams from the area competed in a display of tenacity and skill, all working hard under the glaring sun. Upsetting some of the young men was a team of mostly young ladies, Lobamba Lomdzala Ladies (“LLL”) team.

Top left: a star player from Lobamba Lomdzala Ladies team

It wasn’t the fact that the team was mostly ladies that perturbed some of the young men – it was the fact the ladies team almost won the tournament.

“It’s a big day. We find it very interesting to be in the Kwakha Indvodza Fun Day,” said Fundo Mawoman, coach of Lobamba Ladies.

Asked if he thought his team would win the final, Mawoman’s determination shone through. “I don’t doubt it. We’ll bury them,” he said with a wry smile. He is clearly helping to impart this spirit into his young players.

The team of young ladies (and three males) was “formed some months back”, said Mawoman. “We are starting to gel in the formation we are using, so I’m very, very proud of them.”

Lobamba Lomdzala Ladies getting a pep talk from coach Mawoman

In the end, however, it was the Kwakha Indvodza team that took the title, beating the ladies in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out.

The sportsmanship (and sports-womanship) was not lost during the day. After watching the girls play, Kwakha member Ndumiso Dludlu, who was umpiring the football matches, said: “The women’s team are going to get in the final, they are strong, they are fit. Even me, I wish I were a lady.” Of course Dludu was speaking in fun, but his sincerity and his message was clear: let’s all just work and play together.

When asked how the Kwakha Indvodza mentoring program has helped him, Dludlu said: “Many things. Now, I don’t do bad things, I’m always doing the right things, I enjoy it very much here.”

Kwakha man and football umpire Ndumiso Dludlu

The winner on the day, undoubtedly, was the community: boys, girls, men, women; Swazis and expats – all pushing in the same direction to help the next generation of young people.

Khulekani Msweli, 29, one of the 20 or so mentors who guide and teach the younger men in the program, said the event was a “great initiative” and hopes to see many more of them.

Director of Kwakha Indvodza Tom Churchyard, an English teacher at Waterford Kamhlaba United World College, was a proud and exhausted man at the end of the day.

“It was a lot of hard work. Everyone really worked together, pitched in, and it was a huge success,” he said as the afternoon breeze soothed the sting from the day’s sun.

Job well done: the Kwakha team at the end of the day

“We showed Mahlanya and Swaziland what real men can be – and that responsibility and hard work pays off.”

The young men in the Kwakha program – which is split into three groups: the Lions, Leopards, and Cheetahs – echoed Churchyard’s words.

“When they told me about this day I thought it was some joke,” said Njabulo Nyembe, the smell of beef, chicken and pap wafting past.

“But now I’ve experienced that it’s a real day, and I’m proud of this.”

• The next event for Kwakha Indvodza is a writing and motivational workshop with renowned local artist Bholoja.

To learn more about Kwakha Indvodza visit the website www.kwakhaindvodza.com or go to the Facebook page

For more info contact Tom Churchyard on +268 7676 0607 or email kwakhaindvodza@gmail.com

MISA-Swaziland Speech
Thursday 16 October, 2013

The following speech was delivered by Vuyisile Hlatshwayo, national director of Swaziland’s Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Swaziland), at a recent Access to Information awards ceremony.

I thank you for honouring our invitation on such a short notice. I also want to thank all those who participated in our Open & Secretive Public Institution Survey.

MISA-Swaziland national director Vuyisile Hlatshwayo

I’m not going to bore you with a long speech. I’m happy that Phakama Shili has already explained the Right to Information Day celebrated on September 28 which is the purpose of our gathering today.

As I was thinking about the relevant topic for my speech, I have picked two stories that I want to share with you. You must bear with me, I belong to the older generation which used to enjoy King Sobhuza II’s parables. What I like about parables is that they provide insight into and better understanding of issues.

My first story goes: a construction company owner assigns his builder, who is left with few days to retire, to build a house. As usual, he gives him a plan for the house. But, on this particular day, he doesn’t reveal the information about the owner.

Knowing that he is left with only few days, he decides to do a shoddy job when building the house. As a result, it turns out to be substandard and dangerous to occupants. Its finishing coincides with his farewell party. His boss asks him to bring along his supportive wife and children. He then presents the newly built house to him as a token of appreciation for his loyalty and long-service. Your guess is as good as mine. He learns a bitter lesson about lack of information.

The other one is about a parachutist who lands on the land of the nudists. Fascinated by his flying skills, they invite him to make a presentation in the evening in a community hall.

MISA is part of the regional campaign for Access to Information

Knowing that he is among nudists, he never bothers about the dress code when he goes for his presentation. Lo and behold! The parachutist gets a shock of his life when he finds everyone well dressed inside the hall.

Sadly, this is another case of lack of information and the chilling effects of withholding information from people which is too common in our society.

From this survey, it has emerged that citizens still struggle to access information held by some public entities (government ministries and public companies), who are custodians of public information. Worse still, these don’t have open public lines of communication.

This is unacceptable in an information-based society. As the word suggests, they belong to the public and theirs is to perform a public service. They, therefore, don’t have any reason to withhold public information from the citizens.

Riccardo Kruger from Swaziland Revenue Authority (SRA). SRA won the award for most open and transparent institution in Swaziland.

The citizens have a right to know and a right to information. The citizens need information to make informed decisions and choices in life. Information is power, information is knowledge and information is security.

At this juncture, let me thank and congratulate the winners of our Golden Padlock Awards. One Golden Padlock Award goes to SRA for being the most open public institution while the other winner is the Ministry of Education for being the most secretive public institution in the land. We appeal to all public institutions to emulate the Swaziland Revenue Authority.

Without information, His Majesty King Mswati III won’t be able to usher this nation to the first world.

As MISA Swaziland we have mounted an Access to Information Campaign. Its purpose is to educate the citizens about the advantages and benefits of access to information. We really need your support in this campaign.

I thank you.

Click here to read more about the event

For comments or queries, please contact:
Vuyisile Hlatshwayo
MISA-Swaziland National Director
Email: misa.nd@realnet.co

MISA-Swaziland e-Forum article
October 18 2013

Can you brave the breast?

This is the question Swaziland’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Network (SBCCN) is asking as it prepares for its annual fundraising event.

On Saturday 26 October they hope to see over 1,000 people taking part in the Brave the Breast Challenge, held on the footsteps and slopes of Sheba’s Breast Mountain in Swaziland’s lush Ezulweni Valley.

Participants can choose their own challenge: a 5km round-trip walk to nearby Mantenga Falls; or a 10km trek up Sheba’s Breast mountain and then down via Mantenga Nature Reserve, finishing where you started at the Woodlands conference centre, opposite All Out Africa and Lidwala Backers.

SBCCN team (L-R): Nokuthula Khumalo, Bukiwe Dlamini, Yazie Magagula, Lena Preko, Jo Chesson

“Brave the Breast, to me, means to be part of the people who are struggling through breast cancer and those who have passed on from breast cancer,” said SBCCN events coordinator Yazie Magagula. “It shows that we are with them, we feel their pain and we understand their physical state.”

Magagula said the money raised from the event will go towards SBCCN’s services and to continue getting the proper medication for those in need.

Lena Preko, office manager at SBCCN, echoed Magagula’s words. “The money raised from this walk will help to support our breast and cervical cancer services,” she said.

“We support patients with diagnoses services, so we pay for private laboratory services for emergency cases. We also support breast cancer patients with drugs as well as providing counseling services.”

When asked about the next step for the Network, Preko said they are working towards getting the country’s first chemotherapy clinic.

“We are hoping to bring chemotherapy to Swaziland, because at the moment the only form of treatment we have is the surgery,” she said. “The patients are either on their own or they rely on support from family if they are to have anything more than surgery.”

As for Braving the Breast on Saturday 26 October, SBCCN are not far off reaching their target of signing-up 1,200 people. With one week until the big walk nearly 800 people have paid up. At E150 a ticket they have already raised over E100,000 ($US12,000).

Pink Walkers: Braving the Breast in 2012

“For us, the walk is an opportunity to celebrate the survivors, to remind the community that we can all be affected by this condition, and we should be supporting improvement in the services here,” said SBCCN monitoring and evaluation officer Jo Chesson. “We rely on this [fundraising walk] so we can be financially secure so we can do our work and help the community.”

The event starts at 8am on Saturday 26 October at the Woodlands restaurant in Ezulwini Valley. For those who don’t register beforehand, registration on the day is between 6.30 and 7.30am.

“On the day there will be breast screening, so if you pay for the walk you will get free screening, free t-shirt, free breakfast,” said SBCCN clinic coordinator Bukiwe Dlamini. “I’m inviting the whole Swazi nation to come and join us, to hold hands so we can fight this killer disease.”

The camaraderie in the SBCCN office is clear, and they are passionate about standing in solidarity with people affected by breast and cervical cancer.

“If corporates, individuals, survivors come together we can join hands and fight cancer in Swaziland,” said SBCCN accountant Nokuthula Khumalo. “My heart goes to all those people who have passed on because of breast cancer… to their individual families and to people who are still battling with the disease; and I’m hoping they will find comfort in knowing that God is with them and we are also with them in prayers and in thought.”

SBCCN is open on Saturday 19 October from 9am-4pm to register people for Brave the Breast. The office is located at A3 Printpak Building, Sheffield Rd Industrial Site Mbabane — take the service road after Sheffield Rd before Galp to Printpak car park as roadworks currently blocking street entrance. You can also visit their office all next week to buy a ticket, or on the day of the walk if pre-registration has not exceeded 1,200 people. 

To register you must submit participants details and payment or proof of payment to the office in person or by email. For more info call 24049270 or email bravethebreast@gmail.com

In all other months you can get a free consultation at the clinic at Mbabane Government Hospital on Thursdays.

Free consultations are also offered on Tuesdays in a clinic at the Manzini City Council Buildings, as well as at a clinic in the town of Hlathikulu in the Shiselweni region.

For more information contact the Swaziland Breast and Cervical Cancer Network on 24049270.

MISA-Swaziland Alert
Monday 21 October, 2013

The Swazi Observer Group of Newspapers has a new publication, the Sunday Observer. 

Swaziland has a new Sunday newspaper

The weekly newspaper first appeared yesterday, Sunday 20 October, 2013, leading with a front page story on newly-elected MP Jan Sithole, a long-standing democracy activist. The headline read: “Changing the system from within: CAN JAN WORK?”

Pages 2 and 3 were dedicated to differing opinions on whether Sithole will be able to usher in a more democratic system. Some in civil society said they will work with him as he pushed for reform inside parliament; others said he stood no chance of effecting any meaningful change — they said “the system” had already “swallowed” him up. By “the system” they mean the current Tinkhundla system of governance — ruled by King Mswati III “in consultation” with the people.

Other leading stories focused on former Swaziland minister of labour Lutfo Dlamini’s one-time dinner with former Libyan leader Muammar Gaghafi, and how Dlamini plans to go into business after not being elected or appointed back to parliament.

Another front-page headline read: “Convicted sodomist back playing with children.”

Nephew of South African president marries Swazi princess: story in Swaziland’s new Sunday newspaper

Space was also given to the weekend wedding of a Swazi princess, Fikisiwe, to the nephew of South African president Jacob Zuma. The paper reported that the Swazi king, Mswati III, was in attendance at the wedding. It reported the king saying to the Zuma family: “I am not expecting to hear that our daughter has become a punch bag but rather solve problems through dialogue.”

The Sunday Observer has sections on news, sport, opinion, world affairs, and fashion.

In an effort to challenge negative stereotypes of women, the fashion lift-out — called “Scene” — featured a daring photo-shoot of a model in traditional Swazi dress at the notoriously dangerous and misogynous Manzini bus rank.

The debut edition of “Scene” was titled “The Sexuality Issue”. Editor of the fashion lift-out Koko Shanbangu says it “addresses the matters that have been shoved under the carpet”.

Shabangu continues: “A lot of women, myself included, have fallen victim to insults from men on the streets because we were wearing something ‘too short for them’. When does it stop? I was very glad that our cover girl, Sasha Groening, was fearless enough to wear indlamu  (traditional dress) in the middle of the road on a cold Sunday morning!

Reclaiming the body: Swazi model Sasha Groening on front cover of “Scene”, Sunday Observer’s fashion lift-out. Photo: Peppy Sibanyoni

“We deliberately chose the bus rank area for the shoot because it is the one place that any woman showing a considerable amount of leg steers clear of, to avoid all sorts of slander. The message we hope to send out is that as women, we are not to be objectified.”

Challenging culture: Swazi model Sasha Groening dressed in tradtional dress at Manzini bus rank. From: “Scene”, Sunday Observer’s fashion lift-out. Photo: Peppy Sibanyoni

The cleverly subversive and thought-provoking photo-shoot is sure to raise a few eyebrows. The photos manage to poke holes in the prevailing culture — considered by many to be male-dominated — by using a big part of that culture: the female traditional dress, which is short and allows for much skin to be seen.

In her editorial Shabangu praised the photo-shoot team, giving special thanks to photographer Peppy Sibanyoni.

The next edition of Sunday Observer will be out next week on October 27.

The Swazi Observer Group of Newspapers is owned by investment fund Tibiyo Taka Ngwane. This fund is controlled by King Mswati III “in trust for the Swazi nation”.

Swazi model Sasha Groening dressed in traditional dress at Manzini bus rank. From: “Scene”, Sunday Observer’s fashion lift-out. Photo: Peppy Sibanyoni

Swazi model Sasha Groening dressed in traditional dress at Manzini bus rank. From: “Scene”, Sunday Observer’s fashion lift-out. Photo: Peppy Sibanyoni

Click here to read MISA-Swaziland’s interview with the editor of the Sunday Observer

MISA encourages the new publication to publish contact details of the independent media Ombudsman, click here for more

Click here to read more about the media in Swaziland

MISA-Swaziland e-Forum article
October 28 2013

Last week Swaziland’s Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Swaziland) spoke with the Breast and Cervical Cancer Network (SBCCN) as they were preparing for their annual fundraising event. As predicted over 1,000 people turned up to the fun-run/walk on Saturday 26 October to show support for preventing and treating breast and cervical cancer in Swaziland. Some did the 5km round-trip to nearby Mantenga Falls, others trekked up and down Sheba’s Breast mountain — a 10km journey. Money raised from the event will help support people affected by breast and cervical cancer as well as supporting continued efforts to bring chemotherapy to the country.

MISA-Swaziland went along to Brave the Breast (and the weather) and took a few photos along the way…

Click here to see the next lot of photos…

Click here for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Network’s facebook page

To contact the Network call +268 2404 9270 or email bravethebreast@gmail.com

MISA-Swaziland e-Forum article
November 5 2013

On Saturday 26 October Swaziland’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Network (SBCCN) held its annual fundraising event — a fun run/walk to raise money to prevent and treat cancer in Swaziland. Over 1,000 people turned up for the challenge. Some did the 5km round-trip to nearby Mantenga Falls, others trekked up and down Sheba’s Breast mountain — a 10km journey. Money raised from the event, aptly named “Brave the Breast”, will help people affected by breast and cervical cancer as well as supporting continued efforts to bring chemotherapy to the country.

MISA-Swaziland went along to take a few photos. This is the second in a two-part series documenting the day. Click here to see the first part.

Click here to see the first lot of photos

Click here to read about the lead up to the event

Click here for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Network’s facebook page

To contact the Network call +268 2404 9270 or email bravethebreast@gmail.com

MISA-Swaziland e-Forum article
By e-Forum contributor Portia Magagula
November 15, 2013

MBABANE — Swaziland’s Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Swaziland) hosted a meeting of editors and civil society leaders at the City Court lodge yesterday morning. The gathering was sponsored by the US Embassy in Swaziland.

MISA advocacy officer, Phakama Shili, who organised the event, said the meeting aimed to create common ground between senior editors and civil society groups.

Chairman of MISA-Swaziland Alec Lushaba, who is also an editor at the Swazi Observer, said the media and civil society need to work together, as both play important roles in society.

Lomcebo Dlamini from Swaziland Coalition of Concerned Civic Organisations (SCCCO) was amongst the 29 people who attended.

Media and civil society should help each other, says Lomcebo Dlamini

“Media deals with a lot of sensitivity. I do see the possibility for the two sectors through society to strengthen each other as they engage. We do need each other and we should have the concern for the development of this country,” she said.

Also at the meeting were US Embassy staff, Times of Swaziland Managing Editor Martin Dlamini — who was representing the Swaziland Editors Forum — and the media Ombudsman Jabu Matsebula. In his remarks Matsebula said the “media must be able to reflect all that is happening in society, but the right of society must be defended”.