*Swaziland Solidarity Network [SSN] update March 26, 2009 * *“ANC does not support His Excellency the King of Swaziland” – ANC NEC Member Jessie Duarte * Addressing a heated public debate today, ANC National Spokesperson and Member of the ruling party’s National Executive Committee, Comrade Jessie Duarte came out hard hitting at against African dictators. With reference to Swaziland Duarte said the “ANC does not support His Excellency the King Mswati of Swaziland”. The seminar was hosted by Cosatu at its Headquarters in Braamfontein and was also addressed by Cosatu President Sidumo Dlamini. The articulate Duarte, who is widely revered for her seasoned internationalist and diplomatic skills, is one of senior ANC officials running the party from Luthuli House. Duarte spent years in Foreign Affairs as a diplomatic representative of South Africa in several countries. At the discussion she concentrated on her party’s perspectives on foreign policy issues. “There is very little on the manifestos of other political parties to talk about, in fact there is nothing” she said. Duarte who wore an ANC t-shirt with ANC President Jacob Zuma’s face, said, “there is no mention of international solidarity, no African integration, so instead of talking about nothing I want to share with you ANC policies. Duarte’s comments on Swaziland and the King received great applause from an audience of about fifty trade union representatives mainly from Cosatu affiliates, the ANC and its alliance partner the SACP and civil society organisations including SANGOCO. The meeting was also attended by several diplomats and was open to the press. Earlier on the SABC had asked her to comment on her late arrival. Duarte used the opportunity to announce the defection back to the ANC of former Ekhuruleni Mayor Mlungisi Hlongwane who had previously defected to Cope. She had to be part of the urgent press conference to announce the defections to the ANC and Cosatu had accepted that. She also outlined the reasons for ANC’s support of Polisario and the people of Western Sahara who are still colonized. With a veiled attack to both Morocco and Swaziland, Duarte said “the notion of a chosen deity cannot apply to postmodern reality. One of her closing remarks on Swaziland was that “Our government never said (to the trade unions in Cosatu) that don’t criticize the young man in Swaziland”. The Cosatu workshop continues tomorrow to plan a comprehensive international solidarity programme amongst others. *Swaziland Solidarity Network Forum* *contct:* *Tell: 011 339 3621 * *Fax:011 339 4244* *Email: **[email protected]* <[email protected]>* *
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "SA Swaziland Solidarity EOM Forum" group. Visit the group site at http://groups-beta.google.com/group/sa-swaziland-solidarity-eom-forum for more options, pages and files. To post to the group, send email to [email protected] or reply to this message. To unsubscribe, send email to [email protected] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
