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Barnes elected TUCOSWA's 1st president

12/03/2012 00:00:00 SIBONGILE SUKATI

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MATSAPHA - Barnes Dla-mini has made history by being elected the first President of the Trade Union Congress of Swaz-iland (TUCOSWA).

Dlamini was president of the defunct SFTU. His presidency was confirmed yesterday by Zanele Mathebula who is Deputy International Secretary of the Confederation of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).

All 14 members of TUCOSWA’s executive had it easy as their positions were uncontested.

In his maiden address Dlamini said the executive should work as a unit adding that the greatest enemy in any situation was the one that was internal.

"I call for the discipline of the leadership and they should not betray us no matter how tough the situation is even if their jobs are threatened," said Dlamini.

Dlamini further said the merger with the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) had also come through.

Dlamini read a letter which was in the form of a prayer which he said would be hung in every office of TUCOSWA.

In short the message was that TUCOSWA should put their trust in Jesus and they would make it through. Kwasi Adu-Amankwa of the (International Trade Unions Congress) ITUC advised the leadership not to gossip about each other, but solve all problems around the table.

After Dlamini’s remarks, the congress sang ‘Nkosi Sikelela iAfrica’ which marked the end of the ceremony.

Students to stage protest march

MATSAPHA - Students from all tertiary insti-tutions will embark on a protest march next Wednesday in the two cities.

The warning came from President of the Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS) Maxwell Dlamini when he was given a chance to address the congress.

"On March 21, 2012 we are confronting the Tinkhundla system and we will make sure that those working around Mbabane and Manzini see us," said Dlamini. "We will halt the two cities," he said. Dlamini said as students they wanted to see an end to the economic crisis.

This was during the First Delegates Congress of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) held at Esibayeni Lodge yesterday.

Dlamini said they were not just marching against the non-payment of scholarships, but also for social justice adding that people from places like Lavumisa should have access to water and proper education.

He said students had lost hope in the undemocratic tinkhundla system. He also said they would support that the Tinkhundla elections do not take place.