Is Swaziland really at a political crossroads?

However, we shall not overlook the general perception with regard to the question above, for in it our authorities can find a mirror and a voice from a distance through which they can get help on how this country moves forward politically. We are all familiar with how perturbing it is to suddenly find yourself at a crossroads and never know which direction to take.

I strongly believe our neighbouring South Africa is at a crossroads, with Mangaung said to become the ANC’s tipping point in a few days and I believe we have the same scenario here in Swaziland, with Sibaya giving us a perfect example of the general perception and this resonating with the inner circle. To that end we have been lucky to have had strong voices echoing from princely corridors, voices that disapprove with the current way the country is being governed, although they were non-committal on whether the system should be changed or not.

 While some believe we are at a political crossroads, still others hold the view that Swaziland was at a crossroads a few years ago, before it drafted and adopted its Constitution, hence the perception that we have finally chosen our desired path to follow. The latter group strongly believe that even our authorities are of this view and this, they say, is evident in the observation that no matter the political hiccups thus far, our Captains along this treacherous voyage have been adamant and resolute and have refused to consider any other route except the one we tread upon - one which is believed to have been inherited from our ancestors, if I might add. Without question we are divided indeed in that regard and I am afraid that these divided camps are costing us time.

The African fraternity has been hard done by leaders who did not appreciate the spirit of commiseration such as we see with our famous Sibaya, where every citizen is given a chance to voice his or her desires and opinions with regard to the future of their country. Although this method has proven to have its impediments, it was well-demonstrated and articulated by His Majesty a few months ago when he proved to the whole world that Africa has a unique democracy, which has stood the test of time.

Swaziland can boast that, unlike other African States, when the Constitution was drafted there were extensive consultations around the country leading to the final adoption. We say so despite knowing that only a small fraction of the population was able to make a submission at either Sibaya or in the Vuselas prior to the adoption of the Constitution. Nonetheless, we can pride ourselves in our unique and rare undertaking; especially when you consider that other African states do everything the western way. Nonetheless, many African leaders have discredited themselves when they went ahead and took critical decisions on behalf of the citizenry without proper consultations.

Therefore, if there is widespread belief in Swaziland that we are standing at a crossroads politically despite the presence of the new Constitution, this must not be overlooked by our Captains but must be thoroughly exhausted so that we finally put the matter to rest standing together as one, as Swazis.

On the other hand, and I think that this next point is vitally important; if our authorities are of the view that indeed, through all the recent undertakings which include the Constitution, we have chosen our route as Swazis and thereby put this critical matter to rest, they must come out and say so in the interests of the entire Swazi nation. I have a feeling that while there are signs pointing to our authorities feeling we have passed that stage, there are, however, signs that they are still non-committal about them.

This leaves the rest of us prone to every whim that comes from left or right, which encourages further division among us. We cannot forever rely on government spokesperson, Percy Simelane, to quench these raging fires. We need a resolute voice from the inner circle to prove that our democracy is alive and has platforms for complaints and suggestions. We constantly hear of Sibaya and the SMART partnership, but hear little explanation on how Swazis can go about contributing through them or what further and final 21st century avenues are available to finally put matters to rest. I am talking about a democratic process that is detached from the laborious protocol of the Ludzidzini arena.

My conclusion, therefore, is that our authorities do not believe that we are at a political crossroads and I have no problem with that - but I wish it would be clearly expressed to the whole wide world to hear, that we no longer have any other choices to make in the present future; just like Prince Masitsela filled us in at Sibaya, saying that for now things were ok and whatever political considerations may arise can be considered by future generations.

Although we were galled by his utterances and we called him to withdraw his statement, at least the gods allowed a very important and timely slip of the tongue for our benefit. By the look of things, I am saying we can forget about multipartism for now.

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