THE SD WE WANT VS CONSTITUTIONAL DICTATES

The Swaziland Democratic Party (SWADEPA) and I want a Swaziland that is economically vibrant, fiscally disciplined, politically plural and democratic, accountable to all, enjoys robust free political and democratic debate with dissenting voices without fear or favour.

Culturally,  robust and dynamic,  non-discriminatory, non-sexist, non-nepotism and on a continuous developmental pedestal, responsive to the concerns of the people, socially responsive and sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and marginalised groups including but not limited to the elderly and people living with disabilities is what we believe in. We want a country that will be corruption intolerant, educationally proactive and intensive, agriculturally self-sufficient and food security adherent, internationally, continentally and regionally compliant to all treaties, covenants and protocols we are party to as a country.

Overtime,  when one looks at the Bill of Rights in the Constitution in Chapter three thereof, and in other sections, one begins to wonder if government believes in the Constitution, or it was a product of internal massive and international pressure of the early 90s’,  which was a strong call from the labour movement. The then Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) with the support of all human rights loving civil society organisations when they advocated for acquisition of the Popular 27 Demands, of which demand No. 21 was demanding the revocation of the notorious and cancerous 1973 Decree and replace it with a people driven Constitution. A Constitution that will be a product of an all-inclusive national social dialogue that would include broad representatives of Swazis from all walks of life, inclusive of the business, media, church organisations, worker organisations, chiefs, traditionalists, young women, Law Society to mention but a few.

 I do not believe that this Constitution is a product of the populace but of government. I say this because its supremacy is defiantly undermined by the fact that no deliberate effort was made to ensure a law reform to ensure that all non-compliant laws to the Constitution are revoked and replaced with compliant laws.
I will take this opportunity to cite the rights within Chapter three of the Constitution as chronologically listed in the supreme law of the country.

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