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Gelane declares war on TUCOSWA

10/07/2012 00:00:00 MUSA SIMELANE

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LOBAMBA – Senate President Gelane Zwane has declared war on the deregistered Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) following their call for the boycott of this year’s Reed Dance (Umhlanga) ceremony.
The president, speaking at Senate yesterday, said the congress had gone too far by operating with the intention of sabotaging national events, and that this would not go unchallen-ged.

TUCOSWA, in the Times Sunday this week, revealed that it was lobbying parents against releasing their school-going children to attend the reed dance next month.

The rationale for this was that female pupils would waste time participating in the ceremony whereas there was an urgent need to focus on their books since they had already lost plenty time due to the teachers’ strike.

"There are children involved now and it’s clear that they want to kill our nation by so doing. Children are the future of this nation.

"They now even want to affect our culture and traditions; surely this country’s politics is getting out of line and needs to be straightened up," said Zwane.

Senator Themba Msibi, the one who raised the motion on this matter, challenged the congress on how it would convince the nation not to attend the reed dance.

He said people should not be confused.

The ceremony would take place whether people liked it or not, Senator Msibi said.

"We are not against TUCOSWA fighting for their rights, the problem comes when they try to infringe on other people’s rights, like children who want to attend the reed dance. This congress must be brought to order," he said.

Senator Thuli Msane questioned the congress’ mission and objectives and wondered where they got authority to stop traditional events.

Senate Deputy President Ngom’yayona Gamedze said TUCOSWA had lost the plot and weakened itself by going against the culture and tradition of the people.

He said Swazis loved their traditions and anyone who came between that was doomed for failure.

He added that government should have taken on the congress following the publication of the statement.

Senator Prince Fipha said there was a move to bring a state of anarchy in the country hence such statements by TUCOSWA.

He said they had clearly moved from workers’ issues. He highlighted that the reed dance was important in that it taught good morals and Swazi culture.

Senator Msane says Circular No. 1 a thorn in the flesh

LOBAMBA – Senator Thuli Msane regrets giving her approval to the now infamous Finance Circular No. 1 of 2010.

This is the legal instrument that ensures that all politicians get hefty benefits when their term in office ends.

However, it is now being cited as one of the reasons why teachers are on strike demanding a 4.5 per cent salary increase.

Government, however, has maintained that they would not get it.

The senator said: "We need to do an introspection on this circular because it gives the impression that there is money in government. If we think people are comfortable with the circular but at the same time tell them that they will get their salary raise after three years, we may be wrong."

She went on: "I allowed the Circular, but my conscience is affecting me. If we can remove the Circular, will we die? This is a thorn in the flesh."

Msane also said a population of ‘rascals and thieves’ was being raised, and Parliament had contributed.

Senator Princess Phumelele also supported Msane’s submissions on the issue of Circular No.1 and said it needed to be revisited.

Comments

Parliamentarians must not waste time discussing useless things. Gelane and company are just unpopular here, they are busy talking gibberish instead of finding ways to take the country out of the pit that it is now in. If God could hear our prayers and bring joy and smile to our faces, how much I pray. Anyway change is inevitable that I am confident of. Utosiphendvulela umdali, asikhiphe kunali Gibhithe lesikulo, maye siyasha!!
July 10, 2012, 10:01 am, Lucky (bear.ltn@yahoo.com)