Are we still proudly raising our Swazi flags?

Watching live the royal wedding of Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton, which was attended by our King, caused my heart to go from jubilation to serious grief; I was grieving for my country Swaziland, and especially for my King. The huge celebration portrayed along the streets of London and the world over, over this rare royal occasion, is no doubt what a true Swazi would wish for our country and royal family, regardless of which future path a united Swaziland might take.

I envied the British people as I watched their countrymen being joined in the raising of their flag, by people from all over, people without British blood running in their veins. When I woke up from this tormenting trance I remembered how the British royal family had achieved it, for the world to celebrate with them on this special occasion, the British royal household was willing to let the people of England decide their path. Theirs became a peaceful transition; one that they were willing to grab by its horns and, essentially, one they were not willing to ignore and delay. As sad as it was to the royal family, what the British people were complaining about, and what they wanted, was greater and more important than the royal household itself.

Through that wise decision of listening, acting, relenting, compromising and not ignoring or denying that there was a problem threatening to divide the nation, they have providently preserved themselves, their unity and respect, even among other nations.

Regrettably, I notice that the Swazi flags of yesteryear that were proudly flying high are gradually falling down because this nation is visibly engulfed by the fear of the unknown. This fear is perpetuated by the fact that the nation at large realises that Swaziland is standing on shaky ground, while those in strategic leadership areas have a different view. The nation is increasingly believing that we should speak, or at least that our leaders should speak to us, at Swazi-designated places; but all to no avail.

When I see what is being said and done to our King, it becomes clear to me that this nation may have been inadvertently ill-advised by certain elements, for in the presence of good advice, our King would not be mocked. Certainly, this impending stand-off among Swazis would not be in existence. Again, I might be wrong because, according to government, all is well. Nevertheless, it is my presumption that nobody would have decided for Swazis, other than Swazis themselves, had the few been given the opportunity for the dialogue they desire; and what else would point to what Swazis want other than a royal referendum? More importantly, who would stand in the way of Swazis, when Swazis had spoken about the political direction they wanted? Even now, nobody can decide for Swazis, and a dialogue does not necessarily mean an ushering in of multipartism and an end to the monarchy! If push comes to shove, are we going to devour one another and let the remnant and the world say: "They could not talk to each other and so they killed each other"?

The Royal family must be seen to be concerned about their image and that of His Majesty; and should demonstrate to the world, and to Swazis, that our collective unity and stability of this nation, is bigger than them. When humility is reciprocated from top to bottom, and this nation sees a demonstrated consensual effort, this small but great nation shall exalt its Royal family. The first step is to speak the truth and agree there is a problem and help the King come up with a solution; otherwise they need a visitation by an unstoppable lunatic who will enter the royal courts and shout in vulgar vernacular (Lwetfuke), as legend tells us. We desire to raise our Swazi flags proudly and, hopefully, see what we saw in Britain one day, but our Royal household must help us and honestly lead us and protect the monarch’s image by quick intervention, reasonable progressiveness and open-ness to the nation.

This is a bold, honest, insightful, hopefull and full of respect analysis from this patriot abroad! This is one writer who is not afraid to tell the truth from a clear heart and I wish the royal family was listening because they must play a part and demonstrate a strong partnership with the King and nation. Ekhaya niyabonisana kutsi lomsindvo, ngabe lelacebo lisasebenta na? Keep it up Mbingo, that's why we read the times, to read true un-adulterated advises!
May 6, 2011, 1:35 AM, Wilberforce Dlamini (mdzimba@yahoo.com)

If there is an important relish for our government and royal family from this great article, it would be the phrase, "Reasonable Progressiveness." Yebantfwabaketfu kunje-nje-nje its because even the reasonable of pleas by this nation, are ignored! Loko kuhlaselisa iNkhosi, when you see the King sending LiQoqo to appease, you can see that some people are kept at government because they are big, "Keepers of Royal secrets." There is some reasonable steps our Royal household can do without the risk of loosing our uniqueness. Besides the call for political parties by some, are all the other calls unjustified?
May 6, 2011, 1:35 AM, Felix Dlamini (fendrich@fuse.net)

Of late I have been following Swazi politics, I believe it would not have come to even the call for a constitutional Monarch if the Swazi government had been listening. If political parties and institutional monarch is realised in unique Swaziland, according to this great article, the Swazi Royalty would have shot itself on the foot. Its not too late, if they still read these articles.
May 6, 2011, 1:35 AM, Finley (cedric_finley@pfm.org)

You are not the only one lamenting the situation back home but what worries us is to see the head family not engaging its children, when its obvious the nation is slowly divided. I agree, there are things that buKhosi can do to stabilise the country. If people are given more power to choose their own leaders whom they will recall when undelivering, and the basic things which hurt their pocket were addressed and dealing decisively with well known corrupt royal associates, boMario were not going to achieve their calls but nyalo people want to try something else because lona labatsi utabalamlela uthulile. Akuhambi kahle ebukhosini bekunene.
May 6, 2011, 1:35 AM, Nevers (neverlkdn@aol.com)

Talking of flags, I have traveled in America and England and find it intriguing when you see many private homes with national flags hoisted by their living room windows there. They are so proud to be American or English. When I tell some of them that in Swaziland this practice of hoisting flags in private homes is prohibited by law, they think I'm lying. That's why the Swazi flag means nothing to many Swazis today because it's viewed as a property of government, and by extension a symbol of oppression rather than of emancipation. I have a small Swazi flag in my bedroom, but it's hidden because it's something illicit to have. Whenever our national anthem is sung and our flag hoisted in public, you'll never see any Swazi holding his hand to his heart to express his solemn commitment to their country. The argument that we are unique and that we do things uniquely, doesn't hold any water to me anymore. There is something wrong somewhere.
May 6, 2011, 1:35 AM, In support of Country (colly987@hotmail.com)

Great letter from a true faceless Swazi patriot abroad who is proof that Swaziland has more concerned than those who want to destroy it. It hurts but it hurts more when you see the seemingly unconcerned faces of royalty from a distance, who should be engaging themselves and the nation. They must not miss this chance and theres a lot they can do to avoid being a puppet royalty one day. Let WaSphanga continue to probe the nation and I wish he could be allowed to be specific, to help the royal family without fear and victimisation.
May 6, 2011, 1:35 AM, Owaso (toledodonald@aol.com

I am here in the UK. I watched Prince William’s wedding to Catherine. As I saw the multitude of British citizens gathering to celebrate together so proud of their monarch. I confirmed something I already new since I came to this country,which is that the British Monarch will last for centuries to come because it is not involved in politics.The British monarch is a model to watch. I also wished in my heart that our King would trust Swazis and believe that they are capable of managing their own country.And for him to realise that he can be more respected here and outside the country for doing that.The way the British monarch unifies its people is outstanding and our King can do exactly that.We need our King to be a King to all Swazis and unify us in our different political views. It is a pity that due to the Kings involvement in politics he is tempted to do and say things which he shouldn’t say.Just like calling his own people ‘timfingo’. That is really unfortunate,because the King should have called the government that devours E80mil per month and lead the country to its down fall, ’timfingo’ not the ordinary people who are tired of this clueless government. For the King to be involved in politics puts him in a very wrong positions. The King should’t believe the lie that has been told time and again by those who serve their stomachs which is that those who have different opinion to Tinkhundla don’t want the King. Just like here in the UK there is a few who don’t want the monarch out of reasons or no reason or just plain jealous but the majority matters and the majority are proud of their constitutional monarch.I know we have a few individuals who come arrogantly saying the Swazi King must go.Disregarding the majority of us who wants Tinkhundla to go and multi party introduced but still want the monarch to stay.We are proud of Monarch and culture but both monarch and culture shouldn’t be involved in politics. The British monarch is known for its tourism attraction and the millions of pound it put in ordinary people’s pocket because of those tourist. This is what our monarch and culture are capable of if handled the right way. I went to see the King when he called a curtesy call to all Swazis in the UK.I realised that even with the call to rightly or wrongly boycott the King’s call many of us came to meet the King. I say rightly or wrongly because it depends how you approach or deal with situations.Of course just like the few who decided to stand across the road of the hotel with was the meeting place and shouted calls for the King to go,we have reservation about what is going on in the country and the bad feeling that even the monarch we love is seen to be the cause of this problems.I would have loved them to have come inside because as always we have the opportunity to individually introduce ourselves to the King and many people end up reporting their land issue problems to the King.It is and was a good chance for all of us to say respectfully how we feel about what is happening at home. I am not one of those who decide to resort to insulting, harbouring anger and disrespect.I prefer to be crucified for the truth which I show in respectful protests and peaceful marches but I don’t want to prove my truth or others wrong by crucifying them with insults and disrespect. When we met the King we all wrongly or rightly acted like everything was normal but as people who are away from home we get so exited to meet our King because though we have all agreed we don’t want the King involved in politics but we still love the monarch. I hope people will understand that those who call for the King to be excused from politics are not animals and are genuine Swazis who are proud of their country and their monarch and being for the Tinkhundla doesn’t make you more Swazi and to differ shouldn’t make one a lesser Swazi and the hater of the monarch.
May 6, 2011, 1:35 AM, Stones (stones.m68@hotmail.co.uk)

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