Freely discussing politics

This happened in Manzini where people from all walks of life had convened at the Bosco Skills Centre multi-purpose hall to discuss various issues that touched on their lives.

They expressed their belief and trust to a democratic change in the country’s governance which they said could bring about a change of fortunes to the economy and their lives generally. They said multiparty democracy was the way to go because it accorded people a chance to express how they want to be governed and it came with lots of transparency which was crucial in the general running of the country. They also said parties provided a huge opportunity for more accountability on the government of the day. Over 3 000 people attended the gathering which was themed ‘Defen-ding Human Dignity in Swaziland’.

The people came from all sections of the country.

They were ferried by 32 buses from far flung areas which included towns and their surrounding rural areas.

They came from areas such as Nhlangano, Lavumisa, Pigg’s Peak and Mbabane. Others came from rural areas countrywide.

There were various discussions on the tables where people were grouped to discuss various topics on the economy, human rights, democracy and others.

Speaking after the event, Musa Hlophe, Chairman of the Coalition told the Times SUNDAY that the people said politics and governance cut across all areas. He said the people observed that the problems that presently engulf the country were all centered on governance.

They said multiparty democracy which offers everyone a chance to dictate how they want to be governed was appropriate in turning around the country. "There is a need for a system that would be accountable to the people. They observed that the economy was not performing and people are getting poorer everyday. This is happening when such ills as corruption are on the increase."

"State institutions such as the Anti- Corruption Commission have failed to address this problem and there is no accountability of leaders."

Hlophe also said the convention had revealed how people’s rights were trampled on by the state and its institutions. Attendants also complained about access to land.

They said under the present dispensation, they do not own land and they cannot use it anywhere to empower themselves due to its skewed tenure.

"We need to create a climate where people can invest with the security of their land. We need to free up land title such that people are able to use it for investment," he said. Hlophe said the conclusion was that there was an urgent need for a review of the land policy such that land was availed to ordinary Swazis.

"The constitution gives women more rights on land but traditional powers deny them because they were not taught about the constitution particularly on rights of women," he said.

The ‘parliament’ also decried the fact that the rights of women were trampled on, especially when their husbands died.

If they exercise their right not to mourn, they are ejec-ted from their marital homes and made to forfeit their husband’s wealth. Hlophe also said the conclusion of the meeting on education was that the country needed quality education and free access to it.

"The majority of the people in the meeting were convinced that government was not doing enough to improve the quality of education and investing on it," he said.

Education should be made a national priority because it has a potential of turning the country around.

Political analyst, Sam Mkhombe said the convention was very educative. Mkhombe said he had attended the convention only as an observer. He was happy that people from all sectors of life dialogued in a free spirit on various issues that touched upon their lives.

"My observation is that people were clear about what they want. They want multiparty democracy," he said.

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