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Written by Thobile Gwebu
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Monday, 15 February 2010 11:12 |
The vigil started at 10 am with a lot of discussions about the show of force by the brutal Swazi regime arresting and abducting student leaders who were trying to stage a peaceful demonstration. Furthermore, the savage attacks on unarmed and defenceless demonstrators, we hope the British government and South African government will say something on this issue. The Swaziland vigil is planning a joint demonstration with our friends zimvigil between the 3rd and 5th March to welcome the South African president Jacob Zuma here in London. A lot of passerby signed our ongoing petitions one to the common wealth that urge them to suspend Swaziland until there is respect for human rights and democracy, and another one to the British Government to stop supporting the dictatorship in Swaziland. We would like to express our gratitude to our Zimbabwean friends who supported us on Saturday Fungayi Mabhunu, Godfry Madzonge, Kevin Kamupila, Luka Phiri, Josephine Zhuga………. One our supporters from home had this to say “Dear brothers and sister of the Swaziland Vigil. We are all encouraged by your bravery. Your efforts will echoe the voices of other Swazis who have been strugling for democracy for the past 27 years. Keep up the good work. We are inspired.Embili Maswati!! Students actions in Swaziland has resulted in six education institutions being closed UNISWA, SCOT, William Pitcher, Ngwane, Nazarene teachers and Nazarene Nursing Colleges.We have been informed by activist back home that there has been an abduction of students in Swaziland on 10 February 2010. In response to student protests, the Swazi Police abducted Pius Vilakati, President of Students Representative Council at the University of Swaziland; Maxwell Dlamini, National Organizing Secretary, Swaziland National Union of Students; Sipho Simelane, SRC member at the University; and Thembela Ngcamphalala, Vice Chairperson of the Kwaluseni branch of SNUS and branch organising secretary of SNUS. According to the Swaziland National Union of Students, their whereabouts are not known, except for Maxwell Dlamini who we understand was dumped in Sidvokodvo, an area located on the outskirts of Manzini.Furthermore we have since been informed that one of the students who participated in planned student protest march has been charged with terrorism.Sicelo Vilane of Siteki has been charged with contravening section19 (1) (b) of the Terrorism Act in that he was found with a Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO) membership card bearing his name.Vilane, a journalism student at Oxford College, was arrested after he was spotted taking pictures of police officers detaining UNISWA President Pius Vilakati at the Manzini city centre. Initially the issue was about why he took pictures but when they discovered that he was a member of SWAYOCO police then became more vicious and decided to charge him with terrorism.Our Swazilandvigil COORDINATOR Thobile Gwebu phoned the commissioner of police on Friday to enquire about the issue and challenged them to release the student leaders she was informed by the commissioner that they have been released, we are still waiting for confirmation from home. The following is a notice for the launch of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign that will be held in Johannesburg. Swaziland Democracy Campaign’s historic launch in Johannesburg The hour of democracy in Swaziland has struck! Sunday, the 21st February, will be a watershed moment in the struggle for democracy in Swaziland. On that day, the historic launch of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC) will take place in Johannesburg. Progressive organisations from South Africa and Swaziland will combine in the Swaziland Democracy Campaign to accelerate global momentum for democracy in Swaziland. The launch will be preceded by a Strategy Development workshop where a comprehensive programme shall be developed to consolidate and advance the Campaign. At this time, thousands of people in Swaziland and students in particular, have demonstrated their courage and determination and their willingness to sacrifice in the fight for their freedom. By taking action, they have opened the eyes of the world to the royal elite’s scourge of legalised terror. In the name of culture, and divine right, the royal elite have ruthlessly protected their privileged position while the vast majority of the population live in complete impoverishment. The royal elite have used the tinkhundla system to spy upon and oppress popular and democratic activists throughout society. However, in schools, workplaces, institutions of higher learning and communities, there is resistance, and it is growing, despite an escalation of repression and use of the notorious Suppression of Terrorism Act. Following years of joint activities, marches and border blockades, the progressive movement in Swaziland and their South African counterparts have decided to take their co-operation to new heights, from the Joint Swaziland Action Campaign (JSAC), which was created on the 12th August, emerges the Swaziland Democracy Campaign. The SDC is comprised of organisations involved in the struggle for Swazi democracy in Swaziland and in South Africa. The campaign recognises and supports the democratic initiatives and efforts undertaken by trade unions, NGOs, church organisations, students and youth organisations, women and cultural forums, political movements and progressive forces in South Africa and globally to support the struggle in Swaziland. The Swaziland Democracy Campaign will popularise an initiative to intensify the call to cut links with the brutal regime and mobilise practical support for the democratic movement in Swaziland. As the crisis in Swaziland continues to its peak, let all of us vow to step up pressure on the ruling Swazi regime, and those who protect it. The following documents have been drafted for consideration and final adoption at the launch; - Draft Public Declaration of the Campaign
- Draft Concept founding document
- Draft Programme of Action
A final list of Speakers shall be made public soonest. Meanwhile, these organisations from Swaziland have confirmed their Speakers as follows; - Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) – Barnes Dlamini, Chairperson
- People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) – Mario Masuku, President
- Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC) – Alvit Dlamini, President
- Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) – Mduduzi Gina, Secretary General
- Swaziland Federation of Labour (SFL) – Vincent Ncongwane, Secretary General
- National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) – Thulani Maseko, Chairperson
- Council of Swaziland Churches CSC) – to chair proceedings on Sunday
Meanwhile at least 20 organisations from Swaziland have confirmed they are coming. The South African list shall be consolidated and send out soonest regarding speakers, as about 20 organisations have also confirmed their participation in the workshop and more than that for the Public launch. Details of the launch are; Venue: Johannesburg Civic Centre (Metro)Time: 10h00Date: 21st February, 2010 (Sunday)For more information contact; Philani Ndebele – Tel: +27 76 942 3565Email:
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Last Updated ( Monday, 22 February 2010 10:48 )
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Written by Thobile Gwebu
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Sunday, 07 February 2010 19:12 |
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Our second vigil was showered with lots of words of encouragement both from home in Swaziland, South Africa and here in the UK. We were surprised to see the Swaziland embassy staff waiting at the door for us and surprisingly helped us to set up to our surprise and more surprisingly to their surprise they had raised the flag again and thanks to our great supporter Sue Toff who bought us four brand new Swaziland flags, which the embassy staff helped to put up.
Word about the first ever vigil had reached so many people, thanks once again to our zimvigil friends for advertising our Swaziland vigil on their website and for the Zimbabwean for publishing our historic first ever vigil. Without police barriers we stuck our banners on the front barriers of the embassy. The response from the passing public was overwhelming as they stopped to find out about the situation back home and signing our petitions. One passerby had this say.....it’s a sham the world is watching while Swaziland is dying.......this should not be allowed to go in this century.
Just as we were about to finish a white car passed by and the two occupants hooted at us waved with words of encouragement, this to our surprise was the late Prince Dumisa Dlaminis family, they were delighted to meet us as they showered us with kisses and hugs, to them it was a relief and self joy. They wanted us to support them fight the oppressive regime which kicked Prince out of his beloved country because he was fighting for human rights and democracy... my children have suffered with this evil regime ..... We are here till there is democracy in Swaziland we shouted in response they were so relieved to meet us for their full story here is their website www.princedumisa.com.
Our coordinator and organiser Thobile Gwebu was interviewed by zbn news link http://www.zbnnews.com/home/index=80 and motherlandic she spoke of the need for democracy in Swaziland, a stop to human rights abuse and for Britain to stop supporting dictatorship in Swaziland.
We would like to express our gratitude to our David Macallister who helped us open our web site, Rose and Dennis Benton, Fungayi Mabhunu who carried a table and a drum to the Swaziland vigil, Lovemore Mukeyani, Godfry Madzonge, Nobuhle, Sue, Francesca, Lungile, Mark Becon, Susan, David, Greetmore Masunda, and Enock Madzonge.
Last but not list we would like to thank Bongani Masuku of Cosatu, Vincent Dlamini and Banele for their tremendous support. |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 09 February 2010 20:47 )
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Launch of the Swazi Vigil |
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Written by Administrator
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Sunday, 31 January 2010 18:33 |
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PRESS NOTICE – 31st January 2010
Launch of the Swazi Vigil
Exiled Swazis and supporters held a Vigil outside the Swaziland High Commission in London on Saturday 30th January in protest at human rights abuses in the small southern African country. Further Vigils are planned between 10 am and 1 pm every Saturday until there is democracy and respect for human rights in Swaziland.
The organizer Thobile Gwebu expressed gratitude for the attendance of representatives from the Zimbabwe Vigil and Action for Southern Africa, the successor to the Anti-Apartheid Movement.
She said the Swazi flag was lowered when the group started drumming and they were filmed by people inside the building.
Swaziland has a population of 1.1 million and is Africa’s only absolute monarchy. A state of emergency has been in force for 35 years. Political parties are banned, activists are imprisoned, and the judiciary, media and other bodies are controlled by the monarch. Women, in particular, suffer gross violation of their human rights. Seventy per cent of the population live on less than $1 a day and more than 1 in 4 Swazis are living with HIV / AIDS.
Next Vigil: Saturday 6th February
Venue: Kingdom of Swaziland High Commission, 20 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB
Nearest Tube: St. James Park
Interview opportunities: Political activists, torture and rape survivors
Further information: Thobile Gwebu 07746 552 597 |
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Written by Thobile Gwebu
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Wednesday, 27 January 2010 14:54 |
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Saturday, January 30th, 2010, sees the launch of the Swaziland Vigil UK which will be campaigning for democracy and the respect of basic human rights in Swaziland.
The land-locked Kingdom of Swaziland has a population of just 1.1 million. This small country is often overlooked despite having Africa’s longest running state of emergency of 35 years.
The people of Swaziland suffer from extreme poverty (70 per cent of the population live on less than $1 a day) and more than 1 in 4 Swazis are living with HIV and AIDS. Swaziland is Africa's only autocratic absolute monarchy. Political parties are banned, political and civic activists are imprisoned, and the judiciary, media and other authoritative bodies are controlled by the monarchy.
There is a gross violation of woman’s rights.
The Swaziland Vigil UK will protest every Saturday from 10.00 to 13.00 until there is respect for human rights and democracy in Swaziland.
Swaziland Vigil UK will have the following petitions available for supports to sign:
A petition to the British government:
Exiled Swazis and supporters urge you to put pressure on the absolute monarch King Mswati III to allow political freedom, freedom of speech, the rule of law, respect for women and affordable AIDS drugs in Swaziland.
A petition to the Commonwealth:
Exiled Swazis and supporters urge you to suspend Swaziland from the Commonwealth until there is democracy and an end to human rights abuses in Swaziland.
Venue: Kingdom Of Swaziland High Commission, 20 Buckingham Gate, London, and SW1E 6LB, Nearest Tube St. James Park, Close to Buckingham Palace Date: 30-01-2010
Time: 10.00 to 13.00
Interview opportunities: Political activists, torture and rape survivors
Further information: Thobile 07746552597, Vincent 07743662046 |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 28 January 2010 15:15 )
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