12 May 2013
SDC Press Statement
SDC congratulates the historic and highly successful International dialogue on Swazi National elections and calls for unity of action, new resolve and boldness!
The Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC) takes this opportunity to extend warm and heartily appreciations to all who made it to the historic joint hosting of the watershed International dialogue on the coming tinkhundla elections in Swaziland, which was jointly held with the Wits SRC and various internationally renowned and respected organisations.
It was a weekend of interesting, critical and very robustly yet honest discussions. The Swazi progressive forces, working together with all international organisations, academics, policy makers, embassies and respected personalities gathered at Wits University in Johannesburg to engage on and clarify the following;
1. Understanding the tenets of a democratic electoral system and how these compare with the current electoral system in Swaziland.
2. To explore the current Swazi electoral system in detail, in particular how political power is formed, coalesced and contested and the pitfalls and opportunities in this process.
3. To draw comparisons between the Swazi and other regional and international electoral systems/models, including a closer look at the Swazi constitution, SADC protocols and the role of national interest groups in electoral systems.
4. To maximise cooperation and unity amongst those involved in the campaign for democracy and human rights inside Swaziland.
5. To build a global progressive movement and momentum towards supporting democracy and human rights in Swaziland as part of the global progressive agenda for social justice
This gathering had to take place outside the country, because in Swaziland it is illegal to hold such a gathering, including to speak up against oppression, to raise differing views with those held by the absolute monarchy and who stand up for their inalienable rights to organise, freely associate and create a balanced and fair space for public debate. This was well proven when the SDC and Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) tried to hold a Public debate on the coming elections inside Swaziland on the 12th April, as well as when the Swaziland Diaspora Platform tried the same in Manzini on the 20th April, 2013. They were all violently disrupted and dispersed.
We are proud of the hard work put in by the SDC Swaziland Chapter and its close associates, particularly as led by the SUDF, which closely liaised with the South Africa Chapter and its constituent components outcomes and our international partners from beyond the region and continent that supported and worked with us in this regard.
In the words of Martin Luther King Jr, in the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
We are confident that the different views expressed have united the Swazi progressive and civil society forces more, because what came out clearly was that all Swazis and their organisations are united in calling for a credible multiparty democracy, though they may not necessarily agree on how, which is a normal and healthy part of any evolving society.
Emerging inspired from this gathering, we wish to assure Swazis and the world at large that a full report together with a clear way forward on what needs to be done, when and how, as well as with whom will be released in close collaboration with our partners inside Swaziland, who are trusted and reliable allies in this drawn-out cause.
Our life, future and hope are entirely dependent on the sustenance of this critical wave and tide to be espoused in the coming bold programme. We pledge to endeavour to do all within our powers to ensure that tinkhundla is out and multiparty democracy is finally ushered in.
We call on, first and foremost Swazis themselves, wherever there are, to stand up decisively and fight for their country, their dignity and their proud identity, free from royal domination and subjugation. Only then will the worlds democracy-loving community stand up firm in support of the Swazi people at this dire situation and hour of need and desperation.
For more information please contact:
Wandile Dludlu: + 268 76111676, wandidludlu@yahoo.com
Nthando Khumalo, +268 76411070, nkhanyetistarr@gmail.com
Stephen Faulkner +27 82 817 5455, steve.faulkner@samwu.org.za
Philani Ndebele +27 76 942 3565, philani@asc.org.za
