SIT DOWN AND TALK!

Is this the price we have to pay just to get people to sit down and talk?

The events of the past few days are deeply regrettable. Destroying what we have is not the way to develop a country; neither is killing the citizens. Was it too much to ask to make a meaningful and sincere effort to engage the petitioners? Did it have to cost people’s lives, leave businesses destroyed, traumatise our children and create hooligans of others? Did we have to shut down social media communication? Are we at a point of no return and is this how we will resolve conflict henceforth?

Questions

These and many other questions emerge from the ruins we see all around us today, not least the loss of lives for some families as security officers set out to restore normality in a situation that had spiralled totally out of control. The change MPs cannot say for sure that this is the outcome they desired when motivating their call for an amendment of the Constitution. They were evidently overwhelmed by the chaotic developments that unfolded and it is safe to say they too underestimated the extent to which people’s anger and frustration could go. At this point, the one thing we all want answers to is; then what? Where do we go from here?
What do we do to make sure we never have to endure a similar revolt in future? It would be very unfortunate if government would continue to be oblivious to the anger demonstrated by the people who had always been regarded as respectful and peaceful.

Dialogue

A press conference had been called for 2pm at Ludzidzini yesterday and it was anticipated that a national dialogue would be put on the table. Sadly not. However, are all parties ready to engage if the Acting Prime Minister, Themba Masuku, remains adamant that denying people their right to peacefully present grievances to their elected representatives was the right thing to do – despite this stance having ignited the chaos? The acting PM put a further dent on the widely held belief that tinkhundla centres serve as forums for political debates by issuing an email to where people can send the petitions then shut down the internet. Failure by the Speaker of Parliament to allow this national matter to be debated until a logical resolution was found proved to be another disappointment in leadership that has caused irreparable harm to people’s lives and livelihoods. How do you close a debate without a way forward on a matter as divisive as this one?

I could not agree more with Business Eswatini (BE) which has said engaging in talks is not an admission of weakness. “Much to the contrary though, it is a demonstration of sound leadership when it counts the most!” This is a call to do away with our egos, arrogance, perceptions and hardened positions each may have about the other. These are the impediments to our peaceful development that have played a huge role in creating a divided society when the views and opinions of those deemed critical of the Tinkhundla System of Government are not worthy of an ear. Unless this is addressed, any political engagement would remain a talk shop. The gravity of the matter is attested to by the attention it has drawn from the international community. Several countries have expressed deep concern at the prevailing situation in the country, with some urging all political actors and civil society to engage in meaningful dialogue in order to resolve the current political challenges facing the country. They are basically telling us the obvious.

Hope

There was, perhaps a glimmer of hope following the responsibility taken by Minister of ICT Princess Sikhanyiso, who apologised on behalf of the country’s leadership for not acting soon enough to heed the concerns of the public. We appreciate the effort, but the country’s political and traditional hierarchy places this important matter above her level. For a battered and bruised country, the ball was now in the King’s court. The King has spoken through the acting governor of Ludzidzini and called for calm to save what remains of our country. Despite this, it would appear government is yet to define a concrete way forward. Masuku has said no dialogue can take place just yet, but won’t say when. BE has summed it up adequately; “If this is a test, it is one we cannot afford to fail as future generations and our history books will judge us harshly.”  It’s time for a ceasefire. Let us all sit down and engage in genuine dialogue.

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