Change is easier said than done

From a neutral view point, please allow me space to add to some of the kutihhamula views I’ve read in the past. Its been over 10 years since I last wrote an article to your newspaper, with the title ‘it is time for change’.

My silence has not been easy though, but painful as I watched the country sliding down due to selfish, conservative, greedy leadership and governance. Stress, as with most conscientious men out there, has taken its toll.

Our leaders still behave the same; they have ears but cannot hear, have eyes but can’t see, have mouths but cannot talk, have brains.

The media has been our only mouthpiece so far. It should, however, make sure that critical matters of public concern are sent to the authorities and feedback sought where possible, for there is little or no room at all for political issues.

My fellow countrymen, we’ve all been forced into a very difficult economic situation.

Many countries cite the turmoil of the global economic crisis as reason for challenges in government these days. However, in my view, economic ups and downs are a result rather than a cause. This relates to the fact that economic decisions and policies usually originate from governments. Such is sometimes done without careful analysis of the effects or implications envisaged thereof.

In Swaziland, the Constitution was passed with few changes to the principal content, for it was just a mere attempt to have one rather than an attempt to bring change.

A majority of innocent Swazis could not see such Machiavellianism, hence were, and remain, vulnerable to bias. Those with a conscience chose not to cast even a single election vote or even think about it until real change manifests itself or a meaningful intent to support it exists.

People were happy, hoping things would change, a change that never was. The problem we face is more of a political one. We would be putting the cart before the horse if we attempted to solve our economic challenges first, which may result in short-term solutions without first addressing the political causes.

We’ve been talking, talking, talking all the time; but talk is cheap. Events which are put forward as means of dialogue or fact-finding missions such as Sibaya or participation in the SMART Partnership have been fruitless and, I think, with the sole objective of delaying change while the status quo is preserved.

No politically conclusive collective decisions on change can or have been reached in such structures, where we are made to believe that Swazis have spoken when, in actual fact, no yardstick, device or measurement tool has been used to warrant such conclusions.

They remain the same as other, past, Vuselas. Neither the progressives nor government have come up with a conclusive, overt, strategic plan or vision. Either side stand a chance of making good progress, but both opt to press the wrong buttons. I reckon the pressure lies more with the progressives, who should be proving to be more advanced in executing plans. The saying goes; ‘there are many ways to skin a cat’ and they should be capitalising on the opposition’s weaknesses peacefully and diplomatically.

They should seek advice if they don’t have a clue rather than persist with a slow, disruptive, delaying or even non-rewarding course which results in the suffering of innocent Swazis.

A referendum would also be biased and is not an answer, unless its objective would not be a basis for decision-making but just a yardstick as to whether we want change or not and if so, what?

The results would divide rather than bring long-term harmony. We, the active population, would not be doing ourselves, our children and those old grey-headed men a favour; men who, as we grew up, tried to limit their stress by drinking homebrew under the trees, seriously discussing the ills of our country.

 They have put their bets on us, the youth of the time. I don’t know, to date, what exactly they saw that drew their attention and warrants such a hope but my guess is the current literacy level of the country has no doubt dramatically improved. The fear of the unknown has begun to fade.

Having said so, the era we find ourselves in is unfortunate at the moment, although it’s still a promising dawn. How long it will take for the sun to rise depends upon all of us Swazis. On the other hand, a willing leadership can bring change en masse.

We have been good at criticism but have shed little light on what will best suit the people of Swaziland, save for the ordinary cry for multiparty democracy.

I will not go into criticism of the system we all cry for, but surely it also has its own ills like the current system and needs to be carefully structured for it to benefit the hearts of all Swazis and not just put a party in power.

Surely equality, unity, service delivery, good governance, peace and prosperity are highly possible if we carefully monitor and ease our journey to the desired end; something lacking in most political systems I’ve come across.

All political systems have things in common; the greed for power, monopoly, division, inefficient service delivery and questionable governance; multipartism is no exception.

First and for most, the Constitution, which is not serving people’s interests, should be our starting point; it must be amended or changed. It was only a matter of time before it proved unrepresentative to many citizens.

All we need now is an intervention, without a waste of resources. We would be honoured if the current government could engage in the possible amend-ments before their time lapses. The MPs could play a pivotal role in consulting with their consti-tuencies and bringing back recommendations for compilation while the Attorney General’s office assists in the draft changes.

There won’t be many changes, I suppose, and a repeal of the sections to be changed can be passed within three months of starting the process; that is if we are serious. Our government must take the lead in transformation, beginning now!

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