(From Swazi Media Commentary 27 January 2009 www.swazimedia.blogspot.com)
It seems Swazi dissident Mfomfo Nkhambule has at last been silenced by the
kingdom’s dictators.
This
follows an ultimatum from traditional leaders in the area in which
Nkhambule lives. First he was told that he should stop criticising King Mswati
III. Now, he has been told he must either stop his politics or quit the local
traditional regiment to which he belongs.
Writing in the Times
yesterday (Monday 26 January 2009), Nkhambule, who is also chair of the
Inhalva Forum political party, said he was summonsed to Engabezweni
Royal residence to be told he would be kicked out of the traditional
regiment Balondolozi BakaLozitha Ligezii if he didn’t stop criticism
the king and advocating for democracy in Swaziland.
Nkhambule
wrote, ‘I was told to choose between multi-partyism and being a member
of the traditional regiments. It is either Umbutfo or Inhlava. It is
unSwazi to talk politics and be a member of the traditional regiment..
‘This
was a difficult order for me and I politely asked for time to consult
with Inhlava membership. I like being part of the Swazi warriors and I
also like politics because in Swaziland without someone carrying a
torch light for the majority of His Majesty’s subjects, my fellow
countrymen are perishing in their numbers and from the bottom of my
heart I had to do something to bring this to a halt.’
He said he was still considering what to do next.
The
pressure on Nkhambule is typical of how social control works in
Swaziland. Chiefs and ‘traditionalists’ have the real power in the
kingdom. This they get from the monarch. People who speak out of turn
or in any other way displease the authorities can find themselves
banished, sometimes literally when people are forced out of their homes
by chiefs.
Chiefs
and traditionalists can also determine whether people have jobs, get
scholarships for education, or receive food aid from international
donors. In Swaziland if you speak out of turn you and your family can
starve.
According to a report in the Times Sunday (25 January 2009), ‘Nkhambule
went to the royal residence to honour summons that was announced
through national radio. He went there in the company of his father and
younger brother. The deliberations were chaired by Chomentanyeni
Magagula, the leader of the regiment, but were also attended by members
of the Inyatsi regiment. About 20 members of the regiment attended the
meeting. The leaders of the regiment were allegedly intent on
confiscating his Liqhuzu, an artefact that is given to a warrior who has been
admitted to a particular regiment.
‘“I
was given an ultimatum; to choose between my role in Inhlava and my
membership with the regiment,” said Nkambule, whose regiment name is
Veni. He has been a member since 1980.
‘“They
told me that culturally, members of regiments do not get involved in
politics. They insisted that no member is expected to criticise the
king. An example they used to illustrate my position was that one
cannot ride two horses at the same time. They suggested I choose one
horse,” he said.
‘He said the leaders of the regiment told him that his articles, published in
the Times on Mondays, had brought shame and disrepute to regiments and the King.
‘Nkambule,
who is a former cabinet minister, said he told the meeting of his
undying love for his regiment, and the king in particular.’
Despite
the threat from the traditional authorities, it seems Nkambule can’t
resist pointing out the lack of respect King Mswati has for his people.
In the Times
yesterday he wrote that the king and his ‘messengers’ don’t believe
Swazi people have the brains to decide on how to run their own lives
for themselves
‘There has not been
one person in authority who has ever asked us to justify the decisions
we take on a daily basis because no one person, from the king down to
the last of his messengers, is ever interested in the reasoning of an
ordinary Swazi because they have drawn the conclusion that we have
nothing in between our two ears or if we have, we often do not make
sense at all,’ he wrote.
Link
http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2009/01/swazi-dissident-ready-to-give-up.html
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