Times Of Swaziland: SWADEPA teams up with Denmark's ruling party

SWADEPA teams up with Denmark's ruling party
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 TIMOTHY SIMELANE on 30/11/2012 00:00:00


MATSAPHA – Denmark’s ruling political party, the Social Democratic Party has
endorsed the vision of the Swaziland Democratic Party, which is led by Jan
Sithole as its president.
The Danish Party’s International Consultant, Simon Redder Thom-sen and
Secretary Morten Damm Krogh are in the country to assist SWADEPA in its
leadership seminar held at Esibayeni Lodge.
Strengthening
Thomsen, in an interview said his party was looking at further strengthening the
cooperation it has with the Swaziland Democratic Party (SWADEPA), next year.
This, after SWADEPA openly said it would join the race for the 2013
parliamentary elections.
"SWADEPA has started on the right track, in ensuring that there is multiparty
democracy in Swazi-land. We believe in the vision and mission of the party,
because if they have influence, the benefits will go to all the people in the
country."
Discussions
Thomsen said the party had had discussions with other political parties such as
the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO).
"We chose SWADEPA because their strategy carries greater potential. However, we
are aware that PUDEMO is forging cooperation with another Danish party."
He said his party was also co-sponsoring the leadership workshop at Esibayeni.
Why SWADEPA will join elections
MATSAPHA – SWADEPA President Jan Sithole has said his party opted to
participate in the 2013 general elections as a strategy to have a strong voice
within the corridors of power.
He said this vision is also encapsulated in the party slogan ‘Angeke
Sibayekele’ which means, ‘we will not let them’.
Sithole said SWADEPA would not stand in the background and watch while those in
government fail the nation on good governance, human rights and accountability.
He was addressing SWADEPA members during the first day of the party’s
leadership training at Esibayeni Lodge yesterday.
"Those of us who will make it to Parliament will put the agenda of the people on
the street in government. We no longer want to fund the system and not make our
voice heard on how we wish to be governed. If we put pressure from both inside
and outside, the change will come fast. We are not saying we have a change of
heart because the system is fine, but we are changing the strategy and tactic,"
Sithole said.
Response
Sithole said SWADEPA had written to the Minister of ICT and asked to use the
national radio and television but the party had received no response yet.
"Instead, we were recently made aware that for anyone to have access to the
radio, the chief must have signed consent. This is far from freedom of
expression."
He said the membership of SWADEPA had risen to above 5 000, despite that the
party is only a year old.